The Dawn Wall

Name: The Dawn Wall
Genre: Adventure, Documentary
Released: September 14, 2018
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 81
Cast: John Branch, Kevin Jorgeson, Tommy Caldwell

2018

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Universal acclaim based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 14 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 14 Ratings

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The Dawn Wall

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Movie Details & Credits

Red Bull Media House | Release Date: September 14, 2018 | Not Rated

Starring: John Branch, Kevin Jorgeson, Tommy Caldwell

Summary: In January, 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson captivated the world with their effort to climb The Dawn Wall, a seemingly impossible 3,000 foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, California. The pair lived on the sheer vertical cliff for weeks, igniting a frenzy of global media attention. But for TommyIn January, 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson captivated the world with their effort to climb The Dawn Wall, a seemingly impossible 3,000 foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, California. The pair lived on the sheer vertical cliff for weeks, igniting a frenzy of global media attention. But for Tommy Caldwell, The Dawn Wall was much more than just a climb… It was the culmination of a lifetime defined by overcoming obstacles. At the age of 22, the climbing prodigy was taken hostage by rebels in Kyrgyzstan. Shortly after, he lost his index finger in an accident, but resolved to come back stronger. When his marriage fell apart, he escaped the pain by fixating on the extraordinary goal of free climbing The Dawn Wall. Blurring the line between dedication and obsession, Caldwell and his partner Jorgeson spend six years meticulously plotting and practicing their route. On the final attempt, with the world watching, Caldwell is faced with a moment of truth. Should he abandon his partner to fulfill his ultimate dream, or risk his own success for the sake of their friendship?… Expand

Director: Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer

Genre(s): Adventure, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 100 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

Sep 13, 2018

It’s a riveting and spectacular documentary. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 6, 2018

Filmmakers Lowell and Mortimer were there to document every excruciating inch, with stunning Yosemite scenery as their backdrop for almost every striking frame. The film they got out of it is, like the experience they were documenting, one of a kind. Read full review

John DeFore

Sep 13, 2018

Stuffed with drama, both climbing-related and not. Read full review

Alan Ng

Sep 13, 2018

While The Dawn Wall brings you up close to the miraculous feat of Caldwell and Jorgeson, the backstory (particularly of Caldwell) is just as amazing. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Sep 13, 2018

The Dawn Wall transcends initial conventional sports documentary trappings, emerging as an affecting portrait of conquering personal limitations. Read full review

Daniel Eagan

Sep 13, 2018

It's the camerawork by director of photography Brett Lowell and cinematographer Corey Rich (along with many other contributors) that impresses the most here. Close-ups show just how precise and physically challenging the climbers' moves are. Read full review

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User Reviews

FelpsGP

Sep 23, 2020

This is how you make a good documentary. It was well planned, well researched and well directed.
Tommy and Kevin's journey was in itself amazing enough and the way the movie presents it, really gets you interested.
It has good pace, good shots and is informative enough for people like meThis is how you make a good documentary. It was well planned, well researched and well directed.
Tommy and Kevin's journey was in itself amazing enough and the way the movie presents it, really gets you interested.
It has good pace, good shots and is informative enough for people like me that is not involved at all in the world of rock climbing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MuZkM

May 19, 2020

Excellent interviews, cinematography, pacing, research. It will surprise, rivet, entertain, and tug at your heartstrings. Among the best docs I've seen.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

3ebfan511

May 4, 2019

I enjoyed the film, although I suspect I will like Free Solo better, as it felt like the stakes were not really life and death for these guys for most of the film. They are hooked into the wall with ropes pretty much the entire time, so while its an incredible feat, the life-and-deathI enjoyed the film, although I suspect I will like Free Solo better, as it felt like the stakes were not really life and death for these guys for most of the film. They are hooked into the wall with ropes pretty much the entire time, so while its an incredible feat, the life-and-death aspect is not really there for a more common viewer who might not be into climbing so much. (As opposed to some other climbing docs where the peoples lives were very much at stake.) So..while I found it a little slow in some parts, it was still definitely an enjoyable watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

WhiskeyStories

Feb 20, 2019

The Dawn Wall makes a nice double bill with Free Solo. Although the latter is a fascinating portrait of an exceptional madman, while this one is a much more wholesome tale of two lovable trailblazers. The Dawn Wall's presentation falls on the more traditional side, but it's paced quite wellThe Dawn Wall makes a nice double bill with Free Solo. Although the latter is a fascinating portrait of an exceptional madman, while this one is a much more wholesome tale of two lovable trailblazers. The Dawn Wall's presentation falls on the more traditional side, but it's paced quite well and is overall rather informative, especially if you're completely new to rock climbing. Not that it needs to be compared to Free Solo even more (even though that one's basically a sequel to this), but even if you've shivered your timbers through Honnold's climb already, there's plenty of palm sweaty moments here with Caldwell and Jorgeson. Don't you worry, this story of perseverance and comradery is worth the watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

pijgogo

Jul 6, 2020

What an amazing story of Tommy Caldwell. Such a good reminder that sh*t happens in life, and whatever preconceived notions we have about ourselves or others may not be true when push comes to shove. Good on him for choosing what path he and Kevin took on the wall and that it was stillWhat an amazing story of Tommy Caldwell. Such a good reminder that sh*t happens in life, and whatever preconceived notions we have about ourselves or others may not be true when push comes to shove. Good on him for choosing what path he and Kevin took on the wall and that it was still together through the end. I hope he is proud of his true sportsmanship and partnership with Kevin Jorgeson.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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