The Alpinist

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2:28

The Alpinist

PG-13

2021

1h 33m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Leclerc's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn't own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let a film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. Veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (THE DAWN WALL) sets out to make a film about Leclerc but struggles to keep up with his elusive subject. Then, Leclerc embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing.

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Critics Consensus

The Alpinist surmounts its subject's indifference to deliver a fascinating and thrillingly filmed investigation into a life spent defying danger.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

09/27/2021

4/5

It's an intriguing insight into a particular kind of obsessive drive, and a portrait of a man who, as one of his contemporaries remarked, feels almost too comfortable on the side of a mountain.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

09/23/2021

3/5

Leclerc's story goes in a slightly different, somewhat unexpected direction. The film-makers' enthusiasm for his clarity of purpose is all well and good, but it does leave the film prone to hyperbole...

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

09/22/2021

3/5

The film is too pedestrian to really share Leclerc's spirit - but it captures some of his ascents in scenes both hypnotic and terrifying, and in those you sense you glimpse the essence of him, wholly in the now.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

02/05/2023

4/5

Ups the ante on 2018's "Free Solo" by quite a bit. Imagine climbing 9,000 feet using crampons and ice axes to hang off 8th-of-an-inch rock ledges and shaky ice pillars... with no rope. Not for the faint of heart.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

01/18/2022

4/5

This is an unforgettable documentary about a free-spirited nonconformist who lived his life to its fullest while engaged in the extreme dangers of free solo mountain climbing.

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

11/06/2021

If there's anything to be learned from The Alpinist, it's that [Marc-André] Leclerc's choice to dedicate his life to free solo mountain climbing came not from having a death wish but from being motivated to live his life to the fullest.

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Andy N

10/21/2021

Amazing movie! What an inspiring and beautifully filmed movie. 4 1/2 stars for me!

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Alex

10/10/2021

Beautiful movie and cinematography. Great story and different from other big recent climbing movies.

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Ken

10/07/2021

Super suspenseful, great narrative!!

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mimi

10/07/2021

A bit drawn out.. but great insight into this young man’s life story!

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Kathy

10/03/2021

I loved this movie. Marc had an extraordinary life filled with love in a realtionship and with his mother, passion for what he focused on, simplicity, and lack of fear. This moved me in a big way and emphasized how important it is for us to follow our instincts and passions.

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Richard B

10/02/2021

I think the telling of the story captured the heart of the protagonist who lead a genuine life, followed an unusual to understand dream, that I feel compelled to understand.

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Peter Mortimer

Director

Nick Rosen

Director

Marc-André Leclerc

Self

Brette Harrington

Self

Alex Honnold

Self

Reinhold Messner

Self

The Alpinist: Movie Clip - Canmore

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The Alpinist: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Leclerc's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn't own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let a film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. Veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (THE DAWN WALL) sets out to make a film about Leclerc but struggles to keep up with his elusive subject. Then, Leclerc embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing.

Director: Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen
Producer: Ben Bryan, Michael Negri, Clark Fyans
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Red Bull Media House, Sender Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Brief Drug Content)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $843.2K
Runtime: 1h 33m