Touching the Void

Part documentary and part brilliant re-enactment, filmmaker Kevin Macdonald's (One Day in September) vivid account of a near-fatal attempt by two Englishmen to scale a forbidding Andean peak in 1985 makes for absorbing, often breathtaking viewing. Based on Joe Simpson's book of the same name, Touching the Void recounts Simpson and Simon Yates' successful climb to the summit of Peru's treacherous Siula Grande, followed by the harrowing descent in which Simpson was injured and Yates was eventually forced to cut the rope he was using to lower his partner to safety, leaving him for dead in a deep gorge. Simpson, however, miraculously found a route out of the chasm, and despite a shattered leg made his way painfully back to their base camp. A striking “you are there” quality permeates the entire film, shot with actors Brendan Mackey and Nicholas Aaron on location in the Andes and the Alps, and punctuated with commentary by Simpson and Yates themselves. One can hardly fail to be moved by Simpson's reflections on religion in the face of death, or by Yates' still-raw feelings about his decision to cut the rope. Like climbing itself--both thrilling and rather terrifying--Touching the Void is a compelling, strangely beautiful film. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 23-minute “making of” featurette, the 25-minute featurette “Return to Siula Grande” (tracking the duo's journey back up the mountain years later), a revealing “What Happened Next” interview with principals Joe Simpson, Simon Yates, and Richard Hawking (10 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an excellent documentary.] (F. Swietek)