TOUCHING THE VOID

Based on the book by Joe Simpson
Directed by Kevin Macdonald

Premiere date: September 5, 2003 (Toronto Film Festival)
R for language.

In 1985, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates set out to climb the 21,000 feet Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes - the only mountain in the Peruvian range that hadn't yet been conquered. They were young, fit, skilled climbers and were confident that they would succeed where others would fail. Their story has become part of mountaineering legend.
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Simpson and Yates' method of climbing was Alpine Style - moving quickly up a mountain with the barest of supplies and no series of base camps. This approach left absolutely no room for error. Any problem they might encounter along the way would have extremely grave consequences.
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Following a successful three and a half day ascent, disaster struck. Simpson fell and broke several bones in his right leg. His lower leg pushed through his knee joint, crippling him. At that altitude and in those remote conditions, this was effectively a death sentence. With no food or water, severe dehydration and the ugly spectre of hypothermia before them, the climbers knew they had to get off the mountain - and fast. Yates was determined to find a way to get his friend home.

Best British Films: 11. Touching the Void

One of only two documentaries to make The Observer's list of best British films, Touching the Void tells the story of two ambitious mountaineers, Simon Yates and Joe Simpson, as they attempt to climb "Siula Grande," an enormous mountain in the Andes. Despite their experience and confidence, things go awry, and the two friends fight an unnerving battle for survival.

Touching the Void is presented as a first-rate thriller. Mixing interviews with dramatic re-enactments of the legendary trek, director Kevin Macdonald creates a suspenseful and fascinating documentary that gives intense insight into the dangerous world of mountaineering. ****/4