Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)
Touching the Void (2003)

Genre: Documentary
Director: Kevin MacDonald
Starring: Brendan Mackay, Nicholas Aaron, Ollie Ryall
Duration: 106 min.
Rating: 9.1  

Summary:
The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.



Touching the Void is a dramatic documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), based on a book written by Joe Simpson, that tells the true story of his brush with death and miraculous survival while descending from the summit of 21,000 foot high Siula Grande in the Andes of Peru with climbing partner Simon Yates in 1985.

Told with a perfect combination of documentary and dramatic recreation, the film mixes the standard, fixed camera talking head narration with incredibly convincing re-enactments of the events, many of which were shot in the same location where the events took place.  Macdonald creates a film entirely captivating and nerve racking to watch, despite us knowing the outcome of the story early on, when we see both Simpson and Yates very much alive and healthy in the interview segments.  These segments provide some compelling moments as it is obvious that even just retelling the story is an emotionally difficult place for them to go to.  

Above all, it is the amazing reconstructed sequences and camera work that make this film, using steep angles and placement,  slow vertical pans, and scenes that gradually zoom out from an extreme close up of the climbers all the way to a far off wide panoramic shot, all help to give a real sense of scale to the sheer heights involved.  It really is quite something, because as someone who is not normally afraid of heights, there were some scenes that managed to give me the shivers while sitting in my warm plushy theater seat with two feet firmly planted on the ground.

The actors who portray Simpson (Brendan Mackey) and Yates (Nicholas Aaron) are also very convincing and you never once get the feeling of a staged re-enactment as is the case with most documentaries.  There are also some well done stylistic sequences that really show Simpson's excruciating mental and physical state, delirium setting in as he crawls across the rocky glacier with a broken leg after days without any food or water.  A sequence that Simpson painfully re-enacted on his own, in a brave yet detrimental undertaking that gave him post traumatic stress disorder.

No matter what your opinions on the sport of mountain climbing may be, Touching the Void is an inspirational and unforgettable story of human will and survival against improbable odds.

Bonjour Tristesse

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

Touching the Void (2003)

19 comments:

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Andy, you should really check it out.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Toby, it really is amazing how well this is able to put you in the climbers' shoes. 

blahblahblahtoby said...

excellent review. i saw this at the local multiplex when it was released and the sheer scale of the thing was incredible. i've never felt the urge to rewatch it but it still comes to mind on a regular basis all this time later. powerful stuff.

FrontRoomCinema said...

That looks absolutely stunning. I really want to see this film. I am going to try and hunt it down. Great review BT

Andrew Buckle said...

Wow. Excellent review. I remember this hitting cinemas and not getting the chance to see it. It sounds technically inventive and emotionally compelling. I'll hunt it down. Anything you give an 8.0 or higher to is usually worth a look!

The Angry Lurker said...

Good movie, amazing scenery.

Jack L said...

This sounds amazing, I'll be sure to watch it when I get the chance.

Excellent review!

d_4 said...

Yes. This I could  get into. Much more likely for me to get invested into than a thriller or something. To the list with it!

Beasts in Human Skin said...

A 9.1?  I may have to check this one out.  Also, "Touching the Void" makes me think of something else...

CastorTroy said...

It's a great film and a great story that I highly recommend. The acting is indeed seamless and you could easily believe that you are watching a documentary. Good review!

Hoi-Ming Ng said...

The book was excellent but I haven't seen this movie.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I love these kinds of stories, I should pick up the book one of these days.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I can just imagine what...

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Jack, I think you'd like this one.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks CT, I was a bit worried when I first heard it would be recreated footage, but it was done perfectly here.

moviesandsongs365 said...

Had a big impact and stayed with me to this day, particularly the ending when he is struggling alone, as you say very dramatic. Comparable to James Cameron's Titanic I think, we know the outcome, yet still suspenseful to watch

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I still haven't seen that one yet...

Mette said...

Sounds wonderful, especially because I loved "127 Hours"...

FilmMasterT said...

Splendid review! Sounds like a great film and I will be seeing this soon!

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