Visitors Review

onlyfictn (2012-05-25 15:36)

Enthralling Film

What a vicarious experience. Essentially we are able to relive Simpsonand Yates awe-inspiring ascent and harrowing descent of the 21,000ftSiula Grande peak in the Peruvian Andes. There is never a dull filmmoment. Audience members will be subjected to 3 major themes:mortality, loyalty and perseverance. And as all great films elicit,discussion after the conclusion will be inevitable. Director KevinMacdonald does a superb job of capturing this experience using actorsalong with Simpson and Yates linearly interjecting commentarythroughout. In the last 2 days, I have recommended this film to family,friends, acquaintances, work staff ...etc. Even for those reluctant topartake in the documentary genre, this film will undoubtedly enthrall,excite and horrify.

(2012-05-25 03:02)

Absolutely Amazing!

This is one of the most dramatic and gripping movies I've ever watched...and the experience will leave you emotionally drained. I was particularly struck by the complete honesty and humility shown by both Joe and Simon. Highly recommend it!

(2012-05-22 21:04)

good movie

This review is from: Touching the Void (DVD) Good movie, good service. Here at my house in Alaska within a week. Better believe that I will be visiting Amazon again.

tom_mcnaughton (2012-05-22 03:14)

one hour would have been sufficient

This is THE most overrated movie on IMDb.It should have been a one hour documentary.The first half was OK, mainly due to the scenery and the climbingscenes.However, the final half hour was one of the most tedious I've enduredat the cinema and I whispered to my wife that I wished he would justdie - she nodded enthusiastically.This may seem extreme, but the two climbers just weren't likable. Theycame over as totally selfish and I honestly believe their plightdoesn't stand comparison with other similar tales - e.g. Shackleton. 2/10

Ed (2012-05-22 17:40)

Learn before you comment

Jacky from Washington clearly knows nothing about climbing nor the amazingstory of survival told by Joe Simpson. As an avid enthusiast about thebookbut a prior sceptic about the film I can confirm that the film is justamazing. It adds a totally new dimension to the incredible story for whichthe director should be commended. See it / buy it - don't be influenced bythe ignorant rambings of the uninitiated.

(2012-05-22 04:02)

Astonishing testimony to man's endurance.

This unique docu-drama recreates an ill-fated expedition to scale the treacherous unclimbed West face of Silua Grande in the Andes.The achingly beautiful landscapes and the 5.1 surround sound combine effectively to draw the viewer in and, I swear, you will feel that wind-chill!Impeccably acted and spliced with frequent interviews with the real climbers, it weaves quite a surreal spell on the viewer, especially when one climber, having suffered a serious injury, undergoes exhaustion-induced hallucinations. I've got that damn Boney M song stuck in MY head now!Interesting extras - the making of and what happened next, complement this astonishing DVD, that will surely appeal to devotees of many different genres.An essential purchase.

(2012-05-20 02:37)

Truly Inspiring

It doesn't matter if you are currently a mountaineer, or if you have hopes of becoming one someday. It doesn't matter what challenges you are going through in your life right now. This movie will inspire you to persevere in the most extreme of circumstances. I make my high school students watch it every year, and I've made my own kids watch it as well. There are no obstacles which can not be overcome.

(2012-05-19 05:41)

Unbearably tense and well-made - a fine documentary

Touching the Void is one of those movies that is so much more than just 'about' what it shows. In harrowing narration and re-enactments, the movie documents a climb that two English men took up a Peruvian peak...only to have one of the men, Joe Simpson, break his leg and strand them 20,000 feet above the ground. Joe's climbing partner, Simon Yates, makes the logical/moral decision to cut the rope and let Joe loose, saving himself in the process. And then for the next hour, Joe recounts his excruciating journey to safety while the movie stunningly re-enacts every suspenseful minute. Void makes such an impression because it reaches down to that deepest of fears that we all have, and that Joe had to confront face-to-face - the glaring probability of imminent, lonely death. Though for the most of the movie, I was enraptured in this tale of survival, I felt engrossed in my thoughts about how I would function in such a situation, and wonder where I would have given up...if I would have. The movie brings vitality to the carnal desire to survive despite all obstacles, and even manages to show something of the relationship between friends Joe and Simon...one that wasn't even strained upon Simon's decision to cut the rope. Void is also a technical marvel: Alex Heffes' score is one of the best I've heard this year, and Mike Eley and Keith Partridges' cinematography turns the barren Andes into a haunting death trap. The movie only stumbles during its inevitably long third act, in which Joe gets closer and closer to safety...I know that the dude was bored, but that doesn't mean we need to be watching it. But I digress - the movie has enough thought-provoking, eye-feasting moments to make it well worth the while. Bring Depends if you're afraid of heights. GRADE: B+

faraaj-1 (2012-05-17 04:42)

Gripping stuff

Touching the Void is a mountaineering thriller as much as it is adocumentary about a now legendary climb up the western face of SiulaGrande in 1985 by two young British mountaineers. Both Joe Simpson andSimon Yates came out alive and the documentary is based on the book bythe same name by Joe.Joe comes across as an amazing man fighting a battle between life anddeath and calling up every reserve of energy that he could muster. Theformat of this movie shows actors re-enacting the scenes (very welldone and quite thrillingly filmed in the Alps) intermixed withinterviews of Joe and Simon plus the caretaker at base camp.I'm not a mountaineering fan and watching this didn't make me want toever attempt mountaineering! but it is very interesting even forsomeone who doesn't know or care about the subject much.

philn-3 (2012-05-16 16:37)

excellent movie, gripping even when you know the outcome

Date night, which is every other Saturday, is something that my wife and Iprize very much. We don't like to waste it on lame movies and badmeals.I wanted to see this movie, though I was initially interested in itbecauseI'm a climber. My wife said "I'll go even I'm not interested in themovie,but next date night is mine to choose any activity I want." When it wasover, she was a overwhelmed as I at the intensity of this movie.The scenery is breathtaking, the action is believable, the acting is morethan sufficient. All in all this was a well spent evening with mywife.Not your ordinary documentary.

Lechuguilla (2012-05-15 15:29)

Egotism Meets Nature's Wrath

Beautiful scenery and excellent cinematography highlight this true-lifestory of two young adventurers who, in 1985, attempt to be the firstclimbers to reach the top of imposing Siula Grande, in Peru. The twoactual climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, narrate the story, whiletwo stand-in actors re-enact the climbing.A big part of the film is Joe's quest merely to survive, once hebecomes separated from Simon. Toward this objective, he calls forthinner strength in the form of two mental processes: first, make adecision and then act on it; second, set small goals or targets. Duringhis ordeal a part of him keeps pushing: "You have to do this, this, andthis, if you're going to get there; come on, keep moving, keep moving;right, get up, and do it again".In a docudrama like this, acting ability is not that important. What isimportant is the cinematography. The mountain scenery is spectacular.The camera also captures visual perspective, by backing away from thetwo climbers, or Joe alone in the second half, to reveal how small andinsignificant they are against the towering mountain face, or lostwithin the vast expanse of a huge glacier, peppered with a maze ofdangerous crevasses.The story is certainly harrowing. And I admire how Joe kept going, inthe face of such adversity. However, I must say that overall I was notimpressed with Simpson or Yates, both of whom came across in the filmand in the DVD special features as overly ambitious, opportunistic, andegotistical. Joe as much as admits it: "We didn't give a damn aboutanyone else or anything else, and we just wanted to climb the world..." This kind of cavalier attitude is not uncommon among participantsin extreme sports, many of whom participate less for the adventure thanfor the opportunity to set records and make money."Touching The Void" is a great story of survival set amid the majesticsplendor of the mountains of Peru. The only thing that would have madethe story even better is if the two actual climbers had not been soarrogant. Overconfidence, born of an inflated sense of self-importance,almost cost them their lives.

John DeSando (2012-05-14 19:46)

`Touching the Void' is satisfyingly serious stuff.

`Touching the Void' is what successful docudrama should be: thoroughlyaccurate and terrifyingly dramatic. The accuracy comes from the narrationby original climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates; the drama comes fromBritish filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (One Day in September--the terroristattack on the 1972 Israeli Olympic team in Munich). In 1985 the two adventurers successfully ascended Siula Grande, a 21,000peak in the Peruvian Andes, as they said, "The last big mountain face in[the] range of mountains that hadn't been climbed." It was the descent thatcaused the problems: Yates had to cut the lifeline that sent the woundedSimpson into the void of a crevasse. What ensues is the most convincingcase for the survival instinct of all living things. Regardless of hisbroken leg and seemingly insurmountable odds, Joe painfully descends to thebase camp, ostensibly because he couldn't abide not moving. I find hisinstinct to survive is as strong as anyone else's.The brilliance of the film is to keep suspense although we know the outcome,`Citizen Kane' on a mountain. The cinematography, with swirling vistas bothhypnotic and menacing, and the editing, from narrators to actors and back,create movement and danger when the former is almost impossible and thelatter a given. Their using the `one push' climbing method (carrying entiregear rather than staching along the way) adds immensely to the do-or-dieflavor. The only other similar film I can think of is `The Endurance,' a retellingof Sir Ernest Shackelton 's doomed expedition to Antarctica in 1914-1916. It used relatives and archival footage to create a totally believabledocumentation of the failure. Said Lafcadio Hearn, `You do not laugh when you look at the mountains . . ..' `Touching the Void' is satisfyingly serious stuff, ultimately harrowingbecause of the intense personal, private pain of the climbers.

ricq9 (2012-05-13 19:20)

Not an ordinary rescue / survival movie

I have seen this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival. Itfirstcaught my interest because I thought it will be similar to Vertical Limit.Well, I was wrong. It's much much better than Vertical Limit. This movieiscategorized as Docu-Drama. Which I think made it more effective. I can'timagine how the viewer can be enthralled to the horror of what Joe Simpsonis going through if it's not done in part dramatization and partinterview/narration.It's a rescue and survival movie without help of any helicopter or rescueteam. Joe ordeal in overcoming what is evidently insurmountable obstacle.Bringing the movie goer along with Joe spiralling down to hopelessnes andimpending death. It's based on true story but the story beats fictionalmovies.

(2012-05-13 07:57)

Incredible !!!!

When I saw this movie was at one of the Local Theatres I jumped at the chance to watch it on a Big Screen (it was actually the same one I saw "Downfall"at but that came later).I had not read the Book but had heard rumours of the Story ,I was utterly spellbound when the camera started rolling ,the attitude on both climbers was incredible. Seemingly oblivious to the actual near impossible feat they were about to encounter ,there pioneering whatever it takes philosophy was wonderful and motivational .I will not go into the outcome because the reader would not believe it!...you have to watch the movie (get the DVD well worth it),the one troubling part I had was "Joe" while he was in one of his MANY DIRE situations stated that even though he had been raised a Catholic he never Prayed or asked for help or thought about God when he needed him most ?,that just seems so strange ?because in my experience even the most ardent NON believers when they are overwhelmed with fear and up against unimaginable odds they automatically think of a higher power its the code of survival in Mans Reptilian core(Watch the "Endurance" Shackletons legendary Antarctic Expedition). When I finally read the Book (Highly recommended)in the preface written by Chris Bonnington which was a Tribute to BOTH Joe and Simon ,he put into professional context just how remarkable this expedition was . if I could give it 10 STARS I WOULD .

(2012-05-12 08:49)

Psychic scars frozen in place

"Touching the Void" is the recreation film based on the book about amountain climbing expedition by two men (who were involved in themaking of this film, and agree it was as accurate as something likethis could be). It is AMAZING. It is amazing not only for thephotography, recreations, and acting – that's minor compared to theREALITY of what these men went through trying to go up and come down avery foreboding mountain in Peru. I was left gasping, shaking my head,and feeling SO sheltered as I watched this. It is an emotionallycomplex story, which will leave you drained. Almost empty. It takes sodeep into the emotional side of survival, you're not sure what to "do"about it. I suggest also watching the extras "What Happened Next",followed by "Return to Siula Grande". It is no less fascinating –because you continue to delve into the physical, emotional, and psychicscars of these men 17 years after the events that seem to have changedtheir lives. Or did they? Just who ARE these guys? See this film.

(2012-05-11 20:54)

Getting tired? Put this DVD on!

If you're getting too tired or discouraged to reach your dreams, plop this movie in for some inspiration. You'll have no excuse after seeing this movie. Take that huge seemingly insurmountable dream and break it up into bite-size manageable goals and you'll get there.

(2012-05-11 16:15)

Brilliant

Touching the Void is an amazing portrayal of a true story of one mans courage to survive. A documentary, but unlike any other I have ever seen, this movie is absolutely brilliant. The story begins when 2 mountain climbers decide to tackle one of the most difficult peaks in Peru. When Joe slides from a dangerous cliff and is left dangling from the support of his partner climber, Simon is faced with the decision to cut the rope (and lose his friend), or they would both die. Simon's choice leads to Joe's drop down a deep crevace where his leg is broken. The documentary that follows describes in detail the thought processes between each character. With no special effects, you get the impression that this is not acting - but a camera was there during the actual event. The acting is incredible - and the makeup entirely believable. An amazing portayal of the actual events that happened, Touching the Void manages to capture the heart of human spirit, and the selfishness of survival.Touching the Void made me laugh, cry, gasp in fear, shake my head in amazement, and mostly realize what it means to be a survivor. I absolutely recommend this movie - it is a completely original documentary, and fantastic to see no Hollywood special effects, beautiful characters and predictable mind sets. Touching the Void is raw, with ragged edges - and exposes parts deep within the human psyche that you must experience for yourself.

(2012-05-10 20:59)

Quality--Touching the Void

This review is from: Rv Touching The Void (DVD) Even though the DVD arrived promptly, which I appreciated, it has stuck at the beginning and in numerous other places. It it not in an acceptable conditon. I do understand that the shipper offers a 100% back guarantee, but if I have to pay shipping, it's not worth it to return it. I do understnad that the shipper offers a 100% guarantee, and I have yet to follow up on that. So, this review might be a bit premature, but this has been my experience so far.

(2012-05-09 18:49)

Blood and blubber

I just figured it wasn't my kind of hardcore movie and continued on with my meager, uneventful existence. But on top of that, we get to celebrate two antisocial outcasts and their meticulous, hard-scrabbled methods for filling up a waste of time. Ever heard of an airport bathroom? It's an obvious fitness-minded, modern allegory about two men plagued by demons of buggery. By which I don't mean the practice of driving a buggy. What's kind of icky is that the ambiguous duo go back and recreate their carnal dark night of the soul and get teary-eyed and shaky. Look, I don't have anything against mountain climbers, just not in my bedroom, yo (NIMBY).

marcobett (2012-05-09 07:59)

I know nothing about mountain climbing, but I know I like this.

I was sat on the plane bored and about 4 hours into my journey when Idiscovered this little gem being played on the onboard entertainment. Ifyouthink you've ever experienced an exhausting, dangerous or incrediblyperilous experience in your life, then prepare to be humbled, because whatthese guys went through is just about the most incredible tale of survivalI've ever heard. Whether it is the story itself that makes the movie, ortheway the movie was made that makes it such an enthralling story, one thingisfor sure you'll never forget their tale. The film itself is made up offootage with the survivors retelling their story whilst being interjectedwith staged re-enactments of the key phases in their ordeal. There-enactments are well filmed and don't have any feeling of them being sofar from the real experience as to make them redundant or detract from thegritty real edge of the film experience. I'm not sure how it will hold uponrepeated viewing as once you know how the whole story pans out it reallyisn't going to make you want to watch it again and again. But do yourselfafavour and check it out at least once just to see how the human spirit canendure the most extreme of experiences.