Review of Touching the Void (2003) by Benedick L — 06 Apr 2008

This film is constructed very much like a book. Funny then it is based on Joe Simpson's book of the same name. The tension is slowly built and alternates frequently between the two climbers in their recounting of this horrific tale. Two climbers who reacher the top of the Siula Grande, a peak never been reached before (or still has, apparently), find the climb down a lot more hard. With Joe Simpson breaking his leg and Simon Yates making the tough decision of staying with his mate and helping him down, you think the tale would be terrifying enough, or show signs of extreme bravery. However the plot thickens when Joe goes over an ice cliff and forces Simon to cut the rope. Leaving Joe for dead, Simon makes his way down but, as luck would have it, Joe manages to crawl back down the mountain. I haven't spoilt anything I assure you as the two climbers are interviewed as they recount the story. Apparently Yates was bad-mouthed heavily upon his return, saying he shouldn't have cut the rope. I'm no climber but my arguement for this is his way, cutting the rope, resulted, WITHOUT A DOUBT in Joe's, and his survival, all other POSSIBLE outcomes COULD have resulted in death for either one or both of them. This is without the benefit of hindsight. Again, in my opinion, hindsight would only strengthen the arguement not weaken it.

It is because of this arguement as well as expert film making and story telling that this is a worth while film to watch. One strong criteria of mine is if it makes you talk about the film just after seeing and a while after you have seen it then it is a well made film. This, as stated before, falls under that catergory.

On a side note, their mate richard was in it and the only reason this doesn't get four stars, as superficial as this is, is because of Richard's smarmy grin. It is really distracting. His teeth are as white as the snow in it.