The Summit

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The Summit

R

Released Oct 4, 2013

1h 42m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In August, 2008, 18 mountain climbers reached the top of K2. 48 hours later, 11 people were dead. While memorials paid tribute to those killed, there were also condemnations about 'the why.' Why do these athletes risk everything to reach a place humans are simply not meant to go? With breathtaking cinematography and jaw dropping reenactments based on the testimony of those who survived the climb, this thrilling film is about the very nature of adventure in the modern world.

Critics Consensus

While it could use more clarity than director Nick Ryan brings to bear, the real-life story behind The Summit still makes for compelling viewing.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Visually impressive and well-researched, The Summit certainly stirs up the terror and mystery that attended that disastrous weekend.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 27, 2013

Full Review

Radheyan Simonpillai

NOW Toronto

The Summit picked up an editing prize at Sundance, which you can only surmise was awarded because the film does a fine job of leaving you as confused as the people on K2.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 25, 2013

Full Review

Linda Barnard

Toronto Star

The subject is fascinating and the cinematic punch afforded by peaks so massive, inspiring with their terrible beauty is a filmmaker's dream.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 24, 2013

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

It's a cautionary tale, where the slightest mistake could have tremendous consequences.

Rated: B

Jul 23, 2020

Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

The constant bombardment of facts, opinions, and time jumps is a lot to digest, causing a lot of the emotional bits to slip through the cracks.

Rated: 6.7/10

Apr 11, 2019

Full Review

Dan Schindel

Nonfics

Structurally confused and suspect in its depiction of the events. Bad taste and poor decisions waylay any attempt at emotion.

Rated: 1/5

May 30, 2014

Full Review

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Sam's Emergency V

Super Boring & Very Uninteresting Movie. All The Scenes Had Nothing Exciting Happen + Don't Recommend Anyone To Watch This. Absolutely Hate It

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Benjamin H

Although there may be too much talking and a bit of direction issues, The Summit makes up for this by retelling the tragic 2008 accident on the Savage Mountain with both knowledge of the incident but by also blending in intrigue and emotion which truly captures this horrific accident wonderfully on the big screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/09/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid doc on the K2 tragedy from 2008 where 11 climbers died in a single day. The film intertwines actual and dramatization footage, but slowly reveals a divided climate between the various groups of nationalities without anyone ever really accepting any accountability including one of the team leaders and key rescuers.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/27/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Although there may be too much talking and a bit of direction issues, The Summit makes up for this by retelling the tragic 2008 accident on the Savage Mountain with both knowledge of the incident but by also blending in intrigue and emotion which truly captures this horrific accident wonderfully on the big screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

andy f

This documentary reconstruction is as difficult as you'd expect. At times confusing, the uniqueness of this mountaineering film is the differing recollections of the participants.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Intriguing. On-mountain footage spectacular. Case study in how not to work together. Also, an example of how facts become stories (often (de)emphasising a subset of those facts). Strong personalities interesting. The Sherpas sensible, as ever. The complex storytelling easy to follow, if you concentrate. Ger McDonnell a remarkable individual. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Nick Ryan

Director

Pat Falvey

Actor

Hristo Mitzkov

Actor

Lochlann O'Mearáin

Actor

Cecilie Skog

Actor

Fredrik Sträng

Actor

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Synopsis

In August, 2008, 18 mountain climbers reached the top of K2. 48 hours later, 11 people were dead. While memorials paid tribute to those killed, there were also condemnations about 'the why.' Why do these athletes risk everything to reach a place humans are simply not meant to go? With breathtaking cinematography and jaw dropping reenactments based on the testimony of those who survived the climb, this thrilling film is about the very nature of adventure in the modern world.

Director: Nick Ryan
Producer: Nick Ryan
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Fantastic Films, Diamond Docs, Passion Pictures
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $218.5K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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