There’s something undeniably captivating about the allure of mountains and reaching new heights. The world of mountain climbing offers a treasure trove of stories, challenges, and triumphs. To get ready for the release of The Mountain Within Me, we’re showcasing a selection of exhilarating mountain climbing documentaries that will leave you inspired and awestruck.
FREE SOLO (2018)
From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, the directors of Meru, comes Free Solo a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock...the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park...without a rope. Celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, Honnold’s climb set the ultimate standard: perfection or death. Succeeding in this challenge places his story in the annals of human achievement.
2. TOUCHING THE VOID (2003)
In 1985, two young climbers, Joe Simpson (Brendan Mackey) and Simon Yates (Nicholas Aaron), set out to be the first to reach the summit of the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. They succeed, and the two embark on the treacherous descent down the mountain -- only to meet with disaster when Simpson breaks his leg in a fall, leaving Yates to lower him the rest of the way with ropes. When a storm threatens both their lives, Yates must decide whether to cut the rope and risk Simpson's likely death.
3. MOUNTAIN (2017)
A unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra and BAFTA®-nominated director Jennifer Peedom. A juxtaposition of image and music to explore the powerful force that mountains hold over the imagination of so many narrated by the Academy Award®-nominated actor Willem Dafoe. Explore the spellbinding force of high places from Antarctica to Hawaii and their ongoing power to shape our lives and our dreams.
4. MERU (2015)
Three elite climbers struggle to find their way through obsession and loss as they attempt to climb Mount Meru, one of the most coveted prizes in the high-stakes game of Himalayan big wall climbing.
5. 14 PEAKS: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
The film explores Nepal’s deep connection to high-altitude mountaineering through Nims’ eyes as part of his Project Possible quest. The previous record is just shy of eight years. With a team of skilled Sherpas, Nimsdai traverses Mount Everest, K2, and other iconic peaks through extreme weather, life-or-death decisions, and the emotional weight of his mother’s illness back home.
Featuring more than 100 hours of footage shot by Nimsdai and his team, the film is a breath-taking journey that gives a truly unique view into life on the Big Mountains.
The 14/7 Challenge took place across April to October 2019, Starting with Nimsdai summiting Annapurna in Nepal on April 23rd and ending with the summit of Shishapangma in China on October 29th.
6. THE ALPINIST (2021)
As the sport of climbing turns from a niche pursuit to mainstream media event, Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Marc-André’s approach is the essence of solo adventure. Intrigued by these quiet accomplishments, veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (The Dawn Wall) sets out to make a film about Marc-André.
But the Canadian soloist is an elusive subject: nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn’t own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let the film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. As Peter struggles to keep up, Marc-Andrés climbs grow bigger and more daring. Elite climbers are amazed by his accomplishments, while others worry that he is risking too much. Then, Marc-André embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing. THE ALPINIST is an intimate documentary of a visionary climber who follows the path of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.
7. SHERPA
SHERPA chronicles how the Sherpa community united to reclaim Mount Everest following the 2014 avalanche that killed 16 of their members. The Sherpas are forced to consider the future of Everest climbing and whether anything justifies the danger they face.