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The Crash Reel

Play trailer Poster for The Crash Reel 2013 1h 49m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffers a traumatic brain injury while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics. His family stands by his side as he struggles through rehab, but they object when he expresses his desire to return to his favorite sport.
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The Crash Reel

The Crash Reel

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Critics Consensus

Smart, compassionate, and moving, The Crash Reel uses the familiar sport-doc formula to subvert expectations and ask challenging questions about ambition and achievement.

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Critics Reviews

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk 09/06/2017
3/5
The only problem is that, with so much fascinating material to cover, The Crash Reel skips over half of it. Go to Full Review Kate Muir The Times (UK) 12/22/2013
4/5
Jawdropping and jawbreaking stunts performed by professional snowboarders open Lucy Walker's latest documentary, but it is the aftermath of accidents that form the powerfully disturbing core of the film. Go to Full Review Geoffrey Macnab Independent (UK) 12/22/2013
4/5
Lucy Walker's documentary is exhilarating and grim viewing. Go to Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) 05/30/2014
4/5
Walker's most fine-tuned character-driven documentary yet. Go to Full Review Dan Schindel Movie Mezzanine 02/05/2014
B
The Crash Reel is an affecting reminder of how suddenly circumstances can turn on us. But it's also an inspiring look at how we can deal with even the most hobbling bad luck. Go to Full Review Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews 01/31/2014
B+
Lucy Walker makes a multi-faceted documentary that deals with the demands on Olympic-level athletes to excel at their chosen sport. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 07/07/2025 Real footage in 1 hour and 49 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more 12/18/2019 This was a really well put documentary. They use the perfect clips to really show how big of a deal it was. It's crazy to see his journey and I just think every school should watch it. I originally thought documentaries were really boring but this one has proven its worth. #I ride with Kevin See more 11/02/2018 Poignant truths of sports life. See more bill k @Koolbill 10/21/2017 This is one of the finest documentaries on narcissism in sports, redemption, famial support and self-realization that I have ever watched. Kevin Pearce turns out to be a truly remarkable human being. The heartbreak that his family suffered through Kevin's unrelenting egotism almost broke them apart. In the end, there was forgiveness and resolution. This is a very moving account well worth a watch. See more 01/07/2017 Definitly the best documentary I've ever watched! See more mario g @RT38912111 10/02/2016 Excelente documental. See more Read all reviews
The Crash Reel

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Cast & Crew

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Lucy Walker

Director

Kevin Pearce

Self

Shaun White

Self

Mason Aguirre

Self

Dr. Daniel Amen

Self

Sarah Burke

Self

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The Crash Reel

The Crash Reel (2013) The Crash Reel (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffers a traumatic brain injury while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics. His family stands by his side as he struggles through rehab, but they object when he expresses his desire to return to his favorite sport.
Director
Lucy Walker
Producer
Julian Cautherley, Lucy Walker
Distributor
Phase 4 Films
Production Co
Tree Tree Tree
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 13, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 49m
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