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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
To describe Touching the Void as a mountaineering documentary would be to do this breathtaking drama an injustice. By intercutting narration from the climbers themselves with a nail-biting reconstruction of their remarkable adventure in the Peruvian Andes, the film has the best of both genres: the authentic stamp of factual storytelling and the edge-of-the-seat tension of a dramatic movie.
In 1985, two British mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, embarked on a daring--arguably reckless in the extreme--attempt to climb the previously unconquered mountain Siula Grande. A mixture of overconfidence in their own abilities and underestimation of the climb's difficulties brought them to grief after the successful slog to the summit. What follows is an often harrowing account of their perilous descent.
Based on Joe Simpson's gripping book, the film boasts glorious widescreen photography of Siula Grande and its notorious glacier. Actors take the place of the two climbers for close-ups, though Simpson did return to Peru in order to reenact parts of his dreadful crawl back down the ice. The story of Simpson's almost-superhuman fortitude has become legendary in climbing circles, and even for viewers uninterested in mountaineering, Touching the Void is an astonishing slice of real-life drama, magnificently retold. --Mark Walker
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.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
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.
Rating:  -
This is my all-time favorite documentary that plays out just like a very gripping film. It does an excellent job of raising conflicting emotions in the viewer as Joe and Simon confront their mountain-top ordeal.
Bottom line, and what is so truly harrowing, is this documentary is like watching someone come back from the dead. The connection between that dark crevasse of snow and ice and seemingly no way out that Joe falls into and a tomb is immediately apparent. Guts, desire, ingenuity, maybe even a bit of anger and rage manage to get him to the "light."
Surreal music adds to this drama. A definite one to see, especially for those who enjoy a great adventure!
Rating: -
This documentary-style film has been reviewed by over 100 people, so I'm not going to add much by recounting the plot. Briefly, experienced climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates climbed Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985, and got into trouble on the way down. Mr. Yates made the controversial decision to cut the climbing rope he was using to help ferry Mr. Simpson down the mountain, after Mr. Simpson became seriously injured.
Suffice it to say, I (like most viewers, I'd suspect) used the gift of hindsight to evaluate the decisions made by the two climbers.
I suppose the first mistake made was shared by both; they traveled so light they forgot a support crew. True, they did have the 'help' of a man (Richard Hawking) they met on the way to their mountain (who was not a climber), but they essentially went it alone. They summited, but got into real trouble on the way down.
The film is very well done, going to the actual mountain where the events took place (though much was filmed in the European Alps). It details both men's experiences, and begs the question, 'what would you do?' I don't think the answer is a simple as some believe.
A harrowing and gripping film. The scenery, as one could imagine, is stunning. Draw your own conclusions as to which decisions were the right ones, and which weren't.
Highly recommended.
Rating: -
Having a very small amount of climbing experience myself, I vividly remember hearing this story, and all of the criticism that poor Simon faced, back when this actually happened, but I only recently saw the movie - and I am oh so glad I did.
Even if you are not at all interested in climbing, this is simply one of the most riveting stories ever told and one of my favorite movies ever. The story itself is absolutely awe-inspiring, almost too fantastic to fathom. An unbelievable journey into what a human being can endure, and still survive. This alone would be compelling enough to make this a "must see", but it is the WAY the story is told that makes the movie unforgettable. Part documentary, part re-creation scenes and part movie, make this DVD absolutely unique. Incredibly beautiful cinematography and excellent re-enactments (not the usual cheesy stuff you are used to seeing) combine with technical climbing accuracy and the drama of the unfolding story.
What really sets this movie apart, are the interviews with Joe, Simon and Richard. I was absolutely taken aback by the honesty they exhibited in telling their stories (as when Richard reflects on who he would prefer to survive). This type of honesty and insight is exactly what is missing from most true story movies. The filmmakers, (as well as Joe, Simon and Richard) are to be commended on the job that they did, and this movie should be used as an example is film schools on how to make a story come to life in a truly excellent fashion.
Rating: -
This is a wonderful movie. It certainly is not for the faint of heart and is not your light "fluffy" movie but it is an incredible journey through a life-altering experience with a very courageous man.
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