Mountain climbing is considered an adventure sport. Depending on the difficulty of the climb, it can be an extreme sport too.
However, to a rock climber, it is a sort of meditation, a journey of discovery of self, a conquest, etc.
To some, it is also a fun adventure. So what is the big charm of mountain climbing or rock climbing is that we have so many people flocking to it.
When George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest, he simply said, “Because it's there..” Edmund Hillary had a more philosophical approach to climbing and said that it was not the mountain that was conquered but ourselves.
Different people have different motivations, but one thing is standard with every climb. It is the adrenaline rush that we get from reaching the summit.
To capture this exhilarating feeling, many filmmakers have made movies on this theme, but the best and the most iconic rock climbing movies are the documentaries of the climbers themselves.
ENTOIN has curated a list of the best mountain climbing films that you must watch to enjoy the thrill.
Hope you enjoy the films as much as we have in preparing this list.
Documentary
Director:
Jennifer Peedom
Release Date:
Tue Apr 26 2016
Star Cast:
Russell Brice, Tim Medvetz, Pasang Tenzing Sherpa
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,160,595
"Sherpa" is a gripping documentary that set out to explore the vital role Sherpas play in Himalayan mountain climbing. Initially, the focus was on their involvement in a tense confrontation with climbers in 2013.
Director Jennifer Peedom soon found herself documenting a far more poignant and tragic story. Her film highlights the daily challenges and resilient spirit of the Sherpa people who guide climbers on perilous ascents.
The story follows the experienced Sherpa Phurba Tashi, who supports international expeditions. During filming in 2014, disaster struck when a massive avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall claimed 16 Sherpa lives, forever altering the narrative.
This powerful documentary reshaped global perceptions, shedding light on the courage, sacrifices, and humanity of these unsung mountain guides.
DocumentaryAdventureSport
Director:
Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Release Date:
Thu Dec 13 2018
Star Cast:
Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin
Box Office (Worldwide):
$29,390,279
"Free Solo," directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, is an Academy Award-winning documentary that spotlights Alex Honnold's unprecedented ropeless climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The filmmakers deliver an immersive and exhilarating look at this historic ascent.
Alex Honnold, renowned for his daring solo climbs, sets his sights on El Capitan's imposing granite face—attempting the first-ever free solo climb up its sheer 3,000-foot wall without ropes or safety gear.
The documentary not only chronicles this extraordinary feat but also delves into the intense mental and physical preparation required. Viewers witness the emotional stakes for Honnold, his loved ones, and the filmmakers.
"Free Solo" thoughtfully explores the ethical challenges faced by the film crew, confronting the possibility that documenting such a perilous climb could have grave consequences for both the climber and those behind the camera.
Recommended:
DocumentaryBiographySport
Director:
Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer
Release Date:
Fri Sep 14 2018
Star Cast:
John Branch, Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,445,519
"The Dawn Wall" is a gripping documentary directed by Peter Mortimer and Josh Lowell, chronicling the remarkable journey of climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson. The film documents their meticulous planning, relentless training, and daring attempt to free-climb the legendary Dawn Wall face of El Capitan.
Free climbing is a challenging technique where climbers ascend using only natural rock features, relying on equipment solely for safety, not for upward progress. Tommy Caldwell, recognized as one of the world's premier climbers, has endured and overcome immense personal hardships in recent years.
Caldwell's resilience is especially notable—he survived a harrowing kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan, suffered the loss of his index finger in an accident, and navigated the pain of a broken marriage. Channeling his struggles into his passion, he pursued rock climbing as his form of therapy and personal renewal.
The duo's daring ascent of the Dawn Wall was followed globally, captivating audiences with the unprecedented challenge they faced as they attempted what had never been done before.
Recommended:
DocumentaryAdventureDrama
Director:
Kevin Macdonald
Release Date:
Fri Mar 12 2004
Star Cast:
Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey
Box Office (Worldwide):
$13,904,795
"Touching the Void" is a gripping docudrama that chronicles the harrowing ordeal faced by mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. In 1985, these friends became the first to climb the formidable west face of Siula Grande in Peru's Cordillera Huayhuash range.
The film powerfully recounts their descent, which nearly ended in tragedy. After conquering a previously unclimbed route, Simpson and Yates encounter a series of unexpected dangers on their way down, making survival seem almost impossible.
Both climbers find themselves in life-threatening situations as conditions rapidly deteriorate. Uniquely, Simpson and Yates themselves served as body doubles for the actors portraying them, with many long shots in the film actually featuring the real-life adventurers.
Documentary
Director:
Werner Herzog
Release Date:
Fri Jul 18 2008
Star Cast:
Werner Herzog, Scott Rowland, Stefan Pashov
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,205,464
"Encounters at the End of the World" is a captivating American documentary directed by Werner Herzog. The film explores the unique expeditions undertaken in Antarctica, offering a glimpse into the remarkable lives of those who choose to work and live in one of the most remote places on Earth.
Herzog and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger journey to Antarctica, arriving at McMurdo Station. There, they interact with diverse scientists, researchers, and quirky adventurers who dedicate themselves to studying the continent's mysteries amid its harsh wilderness.
One memorable sequence features a scientist demonstrating how he listens for seals beneath the ice by pressing his ear against it. However, this particular moment was a dramatization suggested by Herzog for cinematic effect.
BiographyDrama
Director:
Danny Boyle
Release Date:
Fri Jan 28 2011
Star Cast:
James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara
Budget:
$18,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$60,738,797
"127 Hours" is a riveting biographical survival drama directed by Danny Boyle. The film earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and a Best Actor nod for James Franco's powerful performance.
Adapted from Aron Ralston’s memoir, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," the film recounts Ralston's harrowing ordeal in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. As an experienced mountaineer, Ralston embarked on an adventure that took a tragic turn when he became trapped by a boulder.
Alone and pinned in a remote canyon, Ralston faced 127 grueling hours fighting for his survival. With no rescue in sight, he was forced to endure extreme physical and emotional hardship.
The movie captures not only the immense psychological trauma Ralston experienced but also the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to survive, making it a gripping tale of human endurance among the best in mountain climbing cinema.
DocumentaryBiography
Director:
Jeff Orlowski-Yang
Release Date:
Fri Dec 14 2012
Star Cast:
James Balog, Svavar Jónatansson, Louie Psihoyos
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,358,668
"Chasing Ice" is a compelling documentary that investigates the effects of climate change on Greenland's glaciers. Through striking visuals and scientific inquiry, the film delivers a powerful message about our changing planet.
Directed by Jeff Orlowski, the documentary follows National Geographic photographer James Balog and his team from Extreme Ice Survey as they document the transformation of the glaciers over time.
Initially a climate change skeptic, James Balog accepted the challenge to document glacial melt using time-lapse cameras, capturing years of evidence that reveal the dramatic retreat of ice.
This acclaimed film captured a historic glacier calving event at Jakobshavn Glacier, offering viewers unforgettable visuals and a clear call to recognize the reality of climate change.
DocumentarySport
Director:
Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Release Date:
Fri Aug 14 2015
Star Cast:
Conrad Anker, Grace Chin, Jimmy Chin
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,334,228
Meru is a gripping documentary that chronicles the daring attempt to scale the formidable 'Shark’s Fin' route on Meru Peak, nestled in the Indian Himalayas.
Directed by the mountaineering duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the film follows climbers Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk. In 2008, their first expedition to conquer the iconic route ended in failure, testing both their skills and resilience.
Undeterred, the team returned in 2011 for a second bid to become the first to summit via the Shark’s Fin. This time, their determination paid off as they achieved this historic ascent.
"Meru" skillfully blends dramatic footage from both expeditions, offering viewers an intimate look at the immense challenges, camaraderie, and ultimate victory over the mountain.
The film earned critical acclaim and was short-listed among the top 15 documentaries considered for the Best Documentary Oscar award.
Documentary
Director:
Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen
Release Date:
Fri Sep 10 2021
Star Cast:
Marc-André Leclerc, Peter Mortimer, Alex Honnold
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,445,831
"The Alpinist" is a riveting documentary that chronicles the extraordinary life of renowned solo climber Marc-André Leclerc, a man famously known for his reclusive and camera-shy nature. Directed by Peter Mortimer, the film depicts Mortimer's relentless efforts to find Leclerc and document his breathtaking feats in the world of solo climbing.
Leclerc, deeply private and resistant to media attention, frequently refuses to have film crews accompany him, especially on his daring ascents of the world's most perilous mountains. His commitment to solitude underscores the unique risks and mindset involved in solo climbing.
Undeterred and self-reliant, Leclerc faces treacherous peaks alone, braving the raw elements with only his skill and determination to support him. His adventures reveal both the physical dangers and the profound isolation at the heart of extreme alpinism.
As Mortimer persistently tries to follow Leclerc, the climber embarks on a bold new solo expedition to the remote wilds of Patagonia, further cementing his legend among the greatest mountain adventurers of our time.
Documentary
Director:
Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov
Release Date:
Thu Nov 15 2012
Star Cast:
Werner Herzog, Gennady Soloviev, Anatoly Blumei
Box Office (Worldwide):
$338,987
"Happy People: A Year in the Taiga" is a captivating documentary that provides an intimate look into the daily lives of the villagers in Bakhta, situated deep within the Siberian taiga.
The film, directed by Dmitry Vasyukov and narrated in English by Werner Herzog, skillfully immerses viewers in the rhythms and resilience of this remote community.
Located along the Yenisei and Bakhta Rivers, the village is home to skilled trappers whose livelihoods depend on sable hunting and fishing in the vast, rugged wilderness.
The documentary introduces us to the indigenous Ket people, revealing their rich history and cultural heritage that have shaped life in the region for generations.
Originally envisioned by Mikhail Tarkovsky and Gennady Soloviev—renowned local fishermen and trappers—the film sought to share the unique story of this little-known Siberian community with the world.
DocumentaryAdventureSport
Director:
Torquil Jones
Release Date:
Mon Nov 29 2021
Star Cast:
Nirmal Purja, Suchi Purja, Klára Kolouchová
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a gripping documentary that chronicles the extraordinary achievements of mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Directed by Torquil Jones, the film weaves together stunning expedition footage, compelling interviews, and immersive visuals to vividly narrate Purja's groundbreaking journey.
Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born British climber, set out to defy the odds by attempting to summit all 14 of the world's peaks over 8,000 meters within an astonishingly brief period of less than seven months—an endeavor long considered unattainable.
The film also features appearances by renowned climbers such as Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Vasarhely, alongside insightful interviews with legendary figures like Reinhold Messner and other elite high-altitude mountaineers.
While Nirmal Purja stands at the center of the accomplishment, 14 Peaks pays tribute to his Nepali Sherpa team, introducing and honoring each member, highlighting their crucial roles in making this seemingly impossible mission a reality.
DocumentaryAdventureDrama
Director:
Elizabeth Wampler
Release Date:
Fri Mar 1 2013
Star Cast:
Stephen Wampler
Wampler’s Ascent is a powerful documentary that chronicles Steve Wampler’s extraordinary determination to scale El Capitan, the iconic monolith in Yosemite National Park.
Directed by Elizabeth Wampler, the film follows Steve’s courageous journey as he takes on this ambitious climb despite living with severe cerebral palsy and having the use of only his right hand.
Usually reliant on an electric wheelchair for mobility, Steve endured six days and five nights on the rock face, facing immense physical and emotional challenges, with steadfast support from his family.
His awe-inspiring ascent required 20,000 pull-ups using a specially designed harness, and has garnered praise from celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Will Forte, and Diane Sawyer.
AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
Philipp Stölzl
Release Date:
Thu Oct 23 2008
Star Cast:
Benno Fürmann, Florian Lukas, Johanna Wokalek
Box Office (Worldwide):
$6,815,056
"North Face" is a gripping German historical film dramatizing the 1936 race to conquer the perilous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. The movie immerses viewers in the tension and ambition surrounding one of alpinism's greatest challenges.
Inspired by true events, "North Face" explores how the Nazi regime exploited daring feats of mountaineering for propaganda on the eve of World War II. This backdrop intensifies the stakes for everyone involved.
The story follows Louise, a Berlin journalist who reconnects with her childhood friends and seasoned climbers, Toni Kurz and Andi Hinterstoisser. As the men set out to tackle the deadly Eiger, Louise documents their journey for her newspaper, resulting in a front-row seat to a high-stakes tragedy.
The expedition’s outcome is devastating. Deeply affected by the fatal ordeal on the mountain—where approximately 64 climbers would ultimately lose their lives on the treacherous Nordwand, later dubbed the "Mordwand"—Louise resigns from her position, forever changed by what she witnessed.
ActionAdventureBiography
Director:
Baltasar Kormákur
Release Date:
Fri Sep 25 2015
Star Cast:
Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright
Budget:
$55,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$203,427,584
"Everest" is a gripping biographical action film that recounts the tragic events of the 1996 Everest expedition, notorious for its high number of fatalities during that climbing season.
The movie features a stellar ensemble cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Martin Henderson, and Emily Watson. It went on to achieve commercial success at the box office.
On May 10th and 11th, 1996, two climbing teams were caught on Everest by an unexpected, ferocious blizzard. The severe storm unleashed relentless winds and freezing temperatures, leaving the climbers battling for survival.
The teams faced dangerous conditions such as frostbite, high-altitude sickness, and oxygen deprivation before managing to descend. Tragically, two guides and two climbers lost their lives during the ordeal, with rescue efforts arriving only after their deaths.
In total, twelve climbers perished on Everest that year, marking it as one of the deadliest seasons in the mountain’s history.
DocumentaryBiography
Director:
Anthony Geffen
Release Date:
Fri Aug 6 2010
Star Cast:
Conrad Anker, Susan Robertson, Robert Macfarlane
Box Office (Worldwide):
$898,137
"The Wildest Dream" is a gripping biographical documentary featuring Conrad Anker. In the 1920s, legendary mountaineer George Mallory set out to conquer Mount Everest. Alongside his partner Andrew Irvine, Mallory mysteriously vanished during their daring attempt.
Decades later, renowned climber Conrad Anker becomes deeply inspired by Mallory’s determination and sets off on his own quest to solve the decades-old mystery. During this ambitious expedition, Anker and his team make a breathtaking discovery: Mallory’s body, perfectly preserved by the mountain’s icy embrace.
"The Wildest Dream" masterfully weaves together Mallory’s historic journey with Anker’s modern pursuit, offering a compelling tale of human ambition and the enduring fascination with the world's greatest heights.
ActionThriller
Director:
Scott Mann
Release Date:
Fri Aug 12 2022
Star Cast:
Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Mason Gooding
Budget:
$3,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$17,363,261
"Fall" (2022) follows emotionally vulnerable climber Becky and her adventurous friend Hunter as they scale the abandoned 2,000-foot B67 TV tower. Their goal is to scatter ashes and find emotional closure, but the journey quickly takes a perilous turn.
After reaching the summit, disaster strikes when the tower's ladder collapses, trapping them high above the ground with no easy way down. Their attempts to signal for help are thwarted by technical failures and unhelpful passersby, creating a tense atmosphere of survival.
Amid the ordeal, shocking secrets emerge—most notably Hunter's affair with Becky's late husband. As hope fades, they try everything to escape, including a daring plan with a drone. Becky must eventually face grim realities, hallucinating her friend's presence and braving deadly dangers, including a vulture attack.
In a final act of resourcefulness, Becky sends an urgent text for help using Hunter's body, leading to her dramatic rescue and an emotional reunion with her father.
ActionAdventureThriller
Director:
Renny Harlin
Release Date:
Fri May 28 1993
Star Cast:
Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$255,000,211
"Cliffhanger" is a thrilling action-adventure film set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Inspired by a story idea from John Long, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, and Janine Turner.
Gabe and Jessie, experienced mountain rangers, are called upon for a dangerous rescue operation. Tragically, during their attempt to save fellow ranger Hal and his girlfriend, she loses her life, leaving Hal devastated and blaming Gabe.
Unable to bear the guilt, Gabe decides to leave his post. However, on his final day, he joins Hal and Jessie for one last rescue mission, only to discover the call is a setup for a sophisticated international heist.
This elaborate plot centers on the theft of US Treasury bills by a ruthless team of criminals. The film is renowned for its jaw-dropping aerial stunt, where Simon Crane leaps between two helicopters without safety harnesses or special effects.
The iconic stunt earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for its high cost, with Stallone even accepting a pay cut to make the scene possible.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Release Date:
Wed May 21 1975
Star Cast:
Clint Eastwood, George Kennedy, Vonetta McGee
Budget:
$9,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$14,200,000
"The Eiger Sanction" is an action thriller both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, adapted from Trevanian's novel of the same name.
The film earned a modest profit at the box office and received mixed critical reviews. However, its mountain climbing sequences were widely praised for their realism and intensity. The story follows Jonathan Hemlock, an art professor and avid collector.
In his spare time, Hemlock works as an assassin for a covert government agency. He is reluctantly drawn back in and blackmailed into accepting a dangerous assignment involving information about his murdered friend.
The mission requires Hemlock to scale the treacherous north face of the Eiger peak in the Alps. In a testament to authenticity, Clint Eastwood performed all the difficult climbing stunts himself, except for one sequence involving a dramatic 2,000-foot drop, which utilized a dummy for safety.
AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
Frank Marshall
Release Date:
Fri Jan 15 1993
Star Cast:
Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton
Budget:
$32,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$36,733,909
"Alive" (1993) is a powerful biographical survival drama that chronicles the harrowing ordeal of the Uruguayan rugby team, whose Uruguayan Air Force flight crashes in the Andes mountains in 1972.
Based on Piers Paul Read’s acclaimed book, "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors," the film captures the grim reality of survival against overwhelming odds.
Critics commended the movie for its restrained and dignified portrayal of the tragedy, avoiding unnecessary sensationalism while respecting the true story’s gravity.
However, some reviews noted shortcomings, particularly the film’s limited exploration of the survivors' psychological struggles and the social dynamics within the group.
The Uruguayan rugby team, along with their friends and family, were en route to Chile when disaster struck. With many suffering from injuries and exposed to freezing temperatures, the remaining survivors are forced to confront unimaginable choices as they fight for their lives.
AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Release Date:
Fri Oct 10 1997
Star Cast:
Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, BD Wong
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$131,457,682
"Seven Years in Tibet" is a biographical drama inspired by the real-life memoir of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. The film vividly brings to life Harrer's transformative journey, following his experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951.
Starring Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, and B. D. Wong, the movie explores Harrer’s remarkable adventures and the people he meets along the way, notably in the company of fellow Austrian, Peter Aufschnaiter.
Harrer, who served as both a mountaineer and an SS sergeant, was captured and detained in a POW camp in Darjeeling during World War II. He and Aufschnaiter made a daring escape and undertook an arduous trek into Tibet, where their fateful encounter with the young Dalai Lama marks the heart of the story.
The movie was primarily filmed on location in Argentina. To create an authentic Tibetan setting, the filmmakers imported yaks, each of which required an official passport complete with a photograph and dental imprint for identification purposes.
DocumentaryAdventureBiography
Director:
Dave O'Leske
Release Date:
Fri Aug 10 2018
Star Cast:
Fred Beckey, Conrad Anker, Helmy Beckey
Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey is a biographical documentary about the reclusive and rebellious climber Fred Beckey. He is described as the original ‘Dirtbag’ climber who climbed extensively in Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest.
The documentary captures an exclusive look at the private life of Beckey, who spent a good part of his life in the nomadic mountaineering lifestyle.
He has achieved hundreds of first ascents of the tallest peaks and best routes up several peaks. He has established seven of the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America, and all this is documented in the 13 books that he authored.
DocumentaryDramaSport
Director:
Chris Malloy
Release Date:
Sat Jan 22 2011
Star Cast:
Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Keith Malloy
Box Office (Worldwide):
$31,745
180° South is a documentary film, also known as 180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless. It follows the journey of Jeff Johnson as he retraces the path of mountain climbers Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins who summited Fitz Roy in 1968.
In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins journeyed from Ventura, California to Patagonia and climbed the infamous Fitz Roy, one of the most difficult mountains in the Andes range.
In the present, Jeff Johnson retraces their journey while surfing the waves and reaches the port in Chile to trek up the Corcovado Volcano in Patagonia.
The documentary uses footage of Chouinard and Tompkins during their original climb. The film title, Conquerors of the Useless, was borrowed from the mountaineering autobiography of Lionel Terray titled Les Conquérants de l'inutile.
AdventureDramaFamily
Director:
Ken Annakin
Release Date:
Tue Nov 10 1959
Star Cast:
Michael Rennie, James MacArthur, Janet Munro
Budget:
$2,000,000 (estimated)
Third Man on the Mountain is an adventure film made by Walt Disney productions about the dream of a young man to fulfill his father’s dying dream of climbing the Citadel.
This 1959 film is based on the 1955 novel Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman. Rudi Matt is the 18-year-old son of a deceased mountain-climber guide who died on the Citadel trying to save his client.
Now, the famous British mountaineer, Capt. John Winter is attempting to climb the Citadel, along with a guide, and agrees to take Rudi along as the Third man on the mountain.
The Citadel is a fictional peak in the Swiss Alps. The production team used the Matterhorn as the peak that was unscalable in the film.
AdventureDramaThriller
Director:
Alper Caglar
Release Date:
Fri Nov 16 2012
Star Cast:
Caglar Ertugrul, Ufuk Bayraktar, Firat Dogruloglu
Budget:
TRL 170,000 (estimated)
The Mountain is a Turkish drama written and directed by Alper Çağlar. The film’s Turkish title is Dag; it is about the bravery of Turkish soldiers.
It is regularly shown in the military academy in Izmir. Four soldiers are sent to repair a radio tower in the mountains that are disrupted.
Unexpectedly, the team encounters a rebel attack, and only two survive with the bare minimum provisions and weaponry. The two soldiers were always bickering and wrangling at each other’s throats before but now they have to depend on each other to survive.
They have to traverse through the mountainous terrain, repair the radio tower and hold it against rebels.
Drama
Director:
Werner Herzog
Release Date:
Thu Oct 3 1991
Star Cast:
Vittorio Mezzogiorno, Stefan Glowacz, Mathilda May
Budget:
DEM 6,340,000 (estimated)
Scream of Stone of a German adventure drama titled Cerro Torre: Schrei aus Stein. The film was directed by Werner Herzog but he did not write the script and this caused a lot of dissatisfaction for him.
He refused to call it his film. Scream of Stone is about the intense rivalry between two mountain climbers.
One is an experienced mountaineer, and the other is a champion rock climber in indoor competitions. They each denounce the other’s worth, and all this competitiveness causes them to make a bet on who will climb the Cerro Torre, Argentina’s most difficult mountain first.
This race results in more than they bargained for as each experiences many hardships and personal loss to get to the finish line.
AdventureHorror
Director:
Val Guest
Release Date:
Sat Oct 19 1957
Star Cast:
Forrest Tucker, Peter Cushing, Maureen Connell
The Abominable Snowman is a British horror movie based on the legend of the Yeti. The film is based on the television play, titled The Creature, also written by Nigel Kneale.
The film was the first of the 22 movies made by Peter Cushing with Hammer Films, although it was released second.
John Rollason is a British botanist who resides in a monastery in a remote Himalayan location. He, along with his wife and assistant, are researching rare Himalayan herbs.
When they are contacted by an American team to locate the abominable snowman, he agrees. Initially, the intention was stated as exploration, but as the expedition progresses, Rollason discovers that the American and his team intend to capture the Yeti for commercial earning.
The actual danger starts when another able-bodied Yeti wants revenge.
DocumentaryActionAdventure
Director:
Thomas Dirnhofer
Release Date:
Thu Mar 13 2014
Star Cast:
David Lama, Peter Ortner, Jim Bridwell
Box Office (Worldwide):
$885,430
Cerro Torre: A Snowball's Chance in Hell is a documentary about David Lama’s free ascent of Cerro Torre. The documentary covers the attempts and previous failures of Lama to make a free ascent without any climbing aids along the compressor path of Cerro Torre.
Cerro Torre is a notoriously difficult mountain to climb. It is located in Patagonia along Argentina and Chile. It is the highest peak in the range, and David Lama attempted to do a free ascent in 2009.
Unfavorable weather canceled their climb, but the film crew was blamed for drilling too many bolts and disrupting the climb for others.
After the cancellation of the second attempt, in 2012, David Lama and Peter Ortner came back to make a free ascent after a previous team removed all 120 bolts along the route.
AdventureDramaSport
Director:
Franc Roddam
Release Date:
Fri May 1 1992
Star Cast:
Michael Biehn, Matt Craven, Annie Grindlay
Box Office (Worldwide):
$3,106,559
K2 is a survival drama loosely based on the experience of Jim Wickwire and Louis Reichardt. The two climbers were the first Americans to summit K2, the world’s most dangerous peak to scale and the second-highest mountain peak.
Taylor Brooks and Harold Jameson are two white-collar workers, who pursue mountain climbing as a hobby. During one of their adventures, they meet a billionaire Claiborne, who is setting up a team to scale K2.
They join the team and reach the Karakoram range in Pakistan. The movie depicts the experiences they faced on their climb and the dangers on the descent.
The film story is adapted from a play of the same name by Patrick Meyers in 1982. The play won a Tony award for Best Scenic Design.
Documentary
Director:
Richard Heap
Star Cast:
Neil Bentley, Jonny Dawes, John Dunne
Hard Grit is a British film that captures the early days when rock climbing was producing the best and the earliest stars.
The film documents traditional climbing, free soloing, and bouldering on gritstone routes in the North of England. Hard Grit was revolutionary in the rock-climbing world and won several awards.
The film opens with a terrible accident of a French climber at the Black Rocks. It moves on to capture various climbers making their first ascent on the gritstone routes and setting records with their attempts.
The film was made when modern rock climbing communities were in the nascent stage and shows masters and upcoming climbers working together for glory.
AdventureThriller
Director:
Howard J. Ford
Release Date:
Mon Mar 14 2022
Star Cast:
Brittany Ashworth, Ben Lamb, Louis Boyer
Budget:
€2,500,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$685,303
The Ledge opens with Kelly and Sophie embarking on a rock-climbing expedition in Northern Italy. However, their peaceful trip takes a dark turn when a man named Josh attempts to assault Sophie.
She escapes and is pursued by Josh and his friends. Kelly witnesses her friend being thrown off a ledge and captures the moment on camera, alerting the men to her presence.
The rest of the film follows Kelly as she free-climbs the mountain to evade her pursuers.
The climbing scenes are well-executed, adding tension to the movie. The director's skill in capturing shots at great heights is commendable.
However, the film suffers from weak dialogue and wooden acting, undermining its potential. Despite its promising premise and visually impressive moments, The Ledge falters due to its flawed screenplay.
ComedyRomance
Director:
Gab Cody, Sam Turich
Release Date:
Wed Jul 9 2014
Star Cast:
Theo Allyn, Molly Alphabet, John Amplas
Progression is a documentary about the training and conditioning that ace climbers fall back on to get a breakthrough after failures.
The world of rock climbing, solo climbing, sport climbing, or otherwise has many hurdles and failures that can hamper one's progression.
This documentary looks at some of these instances. The filmmakers Bret Lowell, Josh Lowell, and Cooper Roberts look at some of the biggest names in mountain climbing and share their stories of triumph, breakthroughs, and progression.
We hear from Chris Sharma, Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson, Patxi Usobiaga, Johanna Ernst, etc. We hear about their training routines, mental conditioning, and how they bounce back after every ascent.
Documentary
Star Cast:
Obe Carrion, Chris Sharma
Rampage is a documentary film that focuses on a specific style of rock climbing and bouldering. The film documents the adventures of Chris Sharma and Obe Carrion.
They capture each of their bouldering trips across the West. This documentary was credited for making bouldering famous across the rock-climbing community.
The film is a two-month road trip that checks out the best bouldering routes in The West. Witness the first ascents of Chris Sharma and the Sharma Problems.
The documentary features the famous Castle Rock, Lake Tahoe, Priest Draw, Black Mountain, The Tramway, Squamish, Humboldt, and the X-Games.
Documentary
Director:
Chris Alstrin, Jimmy Chin, Paul Diffley
Release Date:
Thu Sep 13 2012
Star Cast:
Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, Sasha DiGiulian
Reel Rock 7 is a part of the Reel Rock film tour and an adventure sports documentary film made by Sender Films.
The Reel Rock film tour series was founded by Peter Mortimer and Josh Lowell. This series focuses on sports adventure films, rock-climbing films, etc. that are showcased at the film festival and through online subscription channels.
The documentary Reel Rock 7 is the seventh installment that covers the four biggest stories of 2012, La Dura Dura, The Shark's Fin, Wide Boyz, and Honnold 3.0.
The documentary presents the heart, the humor, and the exhilarating action of reaching the summit.
Documentary
Director:
Alastair Lee
Star Cast:
Leo Houlding, Stanley Leary, Carlos Suárez
In the 2009 documentary "The Asgard Project," renowned climber Leo Houlding embarks on an ambitious expedition to conquer the North Tower of Mount Asgard, a formidable peak located in the remote Arctic wilderness of Baffin Island.
His daring plan involves not only reaching the summit but also attempting a wingsuit descent. Houlding assembles a team of elite climbers, including fellow ascendency expert Stanley Leary, and together they face the treacherous conditions of the Arctic.
They battle unforgiving weather, unpredictable terrain, physical and mental challenges. As they ascend the formidable rock face of Mount Asgard, their determination and perseverance are tested in this documentary.
Documentary
Director:
Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen, Josh Lowell
Release Date:
Mon Sep 1 2014
Star Cast:
Peter Sarsgaard, Alex Honnold, Yvon Chouinard
Valley Uprising is a documentary that focuses on the climbing culture in Yosemite national park. It is made by ace filmmakers Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen.
It gives us a view of the rock-climbing community of the yesteryears and the intense rivalry that exists in the current community.
Yosemite National Park has many daunting, challenging, and riveting climbs for solo climbers, sports climbers, etc. The current generation of climbers in Yosemite campgrounds has created a counterculture that defies laws of gravity as well as laws of the land in some cases.
The traditionalists frown upon this new culture, while others revel in it. The filmmakers capture the changes and interview legends to get their views on these new traditions.
Documentary
Director:
Michael Dillon
Release Date:
Thu Oct 31 2019
Box Office (Worldwide):
$87,755
Hillary: Ocean to Sky is a documentary made by Michael Dillon based on the Edmund Hillary expedition called the Ganges jet boat expedition in 1977.
This documentary in 1977 was an award-winning film, and Michael Dillon revisits it with additional footage and interviews with the crew that worked on the expedition.
In 1977, Hillary and his son, Peter Hillary, set off on the Ganges jet boat expedition. They traveled by jet boats from the mouth of the Ganges up the river to her point of origin in the Himalayas.
They reach the point of origin and climb the Akash Parbat as part of the expedition. The film also introduces the culture and symbolism associated with the river and its prominence while capturing the adventure of mountain climbing.
DocumentaryActionSport
Director:
Josh Lowell
Release Date:
Mon Feb 11 2002
Star Cast:
Chris Sharma, Obe Carrion, Jason Kehl
Dosage: Volume I is a documentary that is part of a series of eight films that showcase the latest in the climbing world in terms of technology, news, events, and profiles of rising climbers.
The film was made by Josh Lowell. The first Dosage volume has Chris Sharma doing his first ascent of The Buttermilks and the September 2000 attempt at Biographie in France.
Next, it follows Lisa Rands, a famous boulderer in action in Bishop, California. Dosage Volume 1 also has a competition between Chris Sharma, Liv Sansoz, Francois LeGrand, Obe Carrion, Steven Jeffery, Jared Roth, and more in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Documentary
Director:
Slawomir Batyra, Steven Robillard
Release Date:
Wed Jul 22 2020
Star Cast:
Andrzej Bargiel
K2: The Impossible Descent is a documentary film made by Slawomir Batyra and Steven Robillard. It captures the ski descent of Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel as he goes down K2, the second-highest peak in the world and a notoriously dangerous mountain.
Andrzej Bargiel is a Polish skier and he dreams of skiing down K2. The documentary covers his journey from Poland to Pakistan and up to a height of 8611 m.
Here, he clicked into his gear to start his impossible descent down K2 to make history. The film promises breathtaking scenery and skiing action.
DocumentarySport
Director:
F.R. Crawley, Bruce Nyznik
Release Date:
Fri Sep 19 1975
Star Cast:
Yûichirô Miura, Shintaro Ishihara, Taisuke Fujishima
Budget:
CA$410,000 (estimated)
The Man Who Skied Down Everest is a documentary film that captured the 1970 expedition of Japanese alpinist Yuichiro Miura.
The film was captured by the Canadian filmmaker F. R. "Budge" Crawley. It was a long-standing dream of skier Yuichiro Miura from Japan to ski down Mount Everest.
In 1970, he attempted the trip and skied 2000 meters in 2 minutes and 25 seconds. He fell for a good 400 meters but broke his fall with parachutes to slow down the speed.
He stopped in the nick of time before hitting the bergschrund. For this film, Crawley won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Film.
During the time of this ski trip, other mountain climbing expeditions were underway. Sadly, six sherpas and three Japanese climbers died.
ComedyDramaRomance
Director:
Ludovic Bernard
Release Date:
Wed Dec 20 2017
Star Cast:
Ahmed Sylla, Alice Belaïdi, Kévin Razy
Budget:
€6,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$817,240
The Climb or L'Ascension is a French comedy adventure. It is a movie based on the novel Un tocard sur le toit du monde written by Nadir Dendoune.
It depicts the real story of an inexperienced mountain climber who sets out to conquer Everest. Samy Diakhaté is a Senegalese-French national who falls in love with Nadia from his neighborhood.
He tries every which way he can think of to impress her. During one of his attempts, he proclaims that he can climb Everest for her.
Nadia laughs off his declaration, but Samy takes it seriously and begins to make preparations to fund his journey.
Although the film claims to be a real-life story, his name, location, and reason for climbing Everest were all altered.
The film was the first commercial movie to be shot at Everest's south base camp.
AdventureDramaRomance
Director:
Miguel Alexandre
Release Date:
Thu Nov 9 2000
Star Cast:
Ken Duken, Regula Grauwiller, Gregor Törzs
Gran Paradiso is a German drama and an inspiring tale directed by Miguel Alexandre. The film is about the expedition of an unlikely bunch of climbers who have more to prove with the climb than enjoyment.
Mark is wheelchair-bound after a motorcycle accident, and he is depressed. His therapist suggests that he take the rock climbing expedition that he always dreamed of.
Along with Mark and his therapist, Lisa, the group consists of three jail inmates and two mentally handicapped patients.
All of them are brought here for rehabilitation and therapy. They have to learn essential social skills and work together to make it up and back down.
BiographyDrama
Director:
Joseph Vilsmaier
Release Date:
Thu Jan 14 2010
Star Cast:
Florian Stetter, Andreas Tobias, Karl Markovics
Budget:
€7,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,593,419
Nanga Parbat is a German biographical film about the tragic expedition to climb the Naga Parbat in 1970. The Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest peak in the world, and it rises in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The movie follows the expedition of the Messner brothers. Reinhold and Günther Messner are experienced mountaineers from Italy. They acquire German funding for their expedition up the Nanga Parbat and set out with a German mountain climbing team.
Inclement weather and avalanches disrupt their descent after reaching the peak. Sadly Günther Messner died on the way, and Reinhold got separated.
After he came down via a different route, he reunited with the team. The name Nanga Parbat literally means Bare Mountain.
Adventure
Director:
Donald Shebib
Release Date:
Fri May 15 1987
Star Cast:
Bruce Greenwood, James Hurdle, Kenneth Welsh
The Climb is a TV movie that offers a biographical account of the first ascent on Naga Parbat by Hermann Buhl in 1953.
It is based on the book Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage by Buhl, and it was telecast on British TV in 1986 as part of Mountain Men.
Nanga Parbat is a treacherous peak in the Himalayas, and it is the ninth-highest peak that was not yet scaled successfully.
Hermann Buhl, an Austrian mountaineer, attempts the climb using the Alpine climbing technique. He succeeds and writes history. The expedition was planned under the autocratic Dr. Karl Herrligkoffer. However, the risk-taking, dedicated and independent climber Buhl succeeds where others fail.
AdventureDrama
Director:
Hideyuki Hirayama
Release Date:
Sat Mar 12 2016
Star Cast:
Jun'ichi Okada, Hiroshi Abe, Pierre Taki
Box Office (Worldwide):
$9,901,480
Everest: The Summit of the Gods is a Japanese film based on the manga series Kamigami no Itadaki by Baku Yumemakura.
The film is the only Japanese film shot on the topic of Mount Everest. The film premise is that George Mallory had a camera with him on his Everest expedition.
This camera was discovered by photojournalist Fukamachi. After viewing the shots and recognizing the value of the information, he decides to go on his own Everest expedition with his friend Joji.
The novel by Baku Yumemakura has been converted into a manga series and an animated version as well apart from the live-action film.
ActionAdventureComedy
Director:
Michael D. Olmos
Release Date:
Sat Jun 5 2021
Star Cast:
Danny Trejo, Elpidia Carrillo, Sofia Pernas
Box Office (Worldwide):
$113,685
Masters of Stone II is the second documentary film in the series of six films. The film was made by Eric Perlman in the early days of rock climbing in El Capitan in Yosemite.
The documentary film captures different climbers like Ron Kuck, Rick Lovelace, Dan McQuade, Dan Osman, Hidetaka Suzuki, Mark Wellman, etc.
It showcases their ascents up El Capitan in Yosemite National park. It is a classic rock climbing movie that showcased the solo climber and the dangerous risks that the climbers took.
The film captures the routes like Joshua Tree, the Needles, Yosemite, Vegas, etc.