Torn

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Torn

Released Dec 3, 2021

1h 32m

Documentary

Sports & Fitness

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Popcornmeter

100%

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19 Reviews

85%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Widely hailed as the greatest mountaineer of his generation, Alex Lowe was a towering figure in the world of outdoor sports. But he loomed even larger for his oldest son, Max, who was only 11 in 1999 when Alex was buried by an avalanche along with cameraman David Bridges while attempting to ski the north face of Mount Shishapangma in the Tibetan Himalaya. Seventeen years after their deaths, Lowe's and Bridges' bodies were found by two climbers attempting the same route, and in the following months, Lowe's family journeyed to the remote mountain to recover them. In the powerful and deeply moving new documentary TORN, director Max Lowe examines the long-buried feelings this unearthed for him and his family, including his mother, Jennifer; his younger brothers, Sam and Isaac; and his stepfather, Conrad Anker, Alex's climbing partner and best friend.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Part family therapy, part weapons-grade tearjerker, this quite lovely documentary from the novice film-maker Max Lowe is an attempt to grapple with the implications of his father's death.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 21, 2022

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

One of its pleasures is that everyone here is thoroughly decent, with a real story to tell.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2022

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

[A] family story given elegant structure and poignancy...

Jan 7, 2022

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Mark Serrels

CNET

Torn is a sympathetic portrait of Anker. It's also a heartbreaking portrait of a family who, more than 20 years after Lowe's death, still seems to be in recovery mode.

Mar 28, 2023

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Rahul Desai

News9 Live (India)

Nothing about it is natural. But across Torn, Conrad Anker goes from guest to tireless companion – one who punctures the loneliness and cements the solitude of a broken family.

Jul 25, 2022

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Sr. Rose Pacatte

St. Anthony Messenger

The film is commendable because of how it deals so sensitively and honestly with Alex’s struggle to choose between family and his passion for mountain climbing.

Mar 25, 2022

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PRISCILLA S

An amazingly beautiful story of life, loss and the ability to live and love again. Thank you for the bravery of sharing your story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

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Richard A

Gut wrenching and honest. A must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

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Melody H

3/10 Not for me. Turned off 18mins into it. Would I watch it again? No.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

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Paige G

I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon this film, but let me tell you that I am so thrilled to have! I personally love documentaries and things of that nature, yet this was so much more. It was like an interesting book that I didn't want to put down; beautifully executed. It kept me on the edge of my seat as well as have tears roll down my cheeks. Not in any sappy or sad way, more so feelings that you feel from within; you just can't help but to be moved indefinitely. Truly truly fascinating, and it goes to show that, as Jennifer stated in the film, you don't know what's waiting for you around the corner. A must see, for sure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/23

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martin W

This is a movie about friendship, tragedy and personal heroism. The real hero of this movie is almost melancholy despite being a great human.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/22

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kirk m

Absolutely loved this heart wrenching, heart warming tale of a family's reckoning of their past experiences dealing with the death of Alex Lowe. Conrad clearly finds himself in a predicament with no easy explanations, other than love as the conquering emotion. He handles, and as handled his situation with maturity, sincerity, and above all love for his family. Only one question I have for Conrad, never explained in the movie .. with such an experienced group, knowing the dangers, and Alex already leery of these dangers and his family back home, why .. WHY didn't they have transceivers? Such as basic tenant of adventuring in the mountains where avalanche is a real theat. A beacon may have saved the day.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Max Lowe

Director

Conrad Anker

Self

Jonathan Chinn

Producer

Simon Chinn

Producer

Chris Murphy

Producer

Ryan Harrington

Executive Producer

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Torn: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Widely hailed as the greatest mountaineer of his generation, Alex Lowe was a towering figure in the world of outdoor sports. But he loomed even larger for his oldest son, Max, who was only 11 in 1999 when Alex was buried by an avalanche along with cameraman David Bridges while attempting to ski the north face of Mount Shishapangma in the Tibetan Himalaya. Seventeen years after their deaths, Lowe's and Bridges' bodies were found by two climbers attempting the same route, and in the following months, Lowe's family journeyed to the remote mountain to recover them. In the powerful and deeply moving new documentary TORN, director Max Lowe examines the long-buried feelings this unearthed for him and his family, including his mother, Jennifer; his younger brothers, Sam and Isaac; and his stepfather, Conrad Anker, Alex's climbing partner and best friend.

Director: Max Lowe
Producer: Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Chris Murphy, Max Lowe
Screenwriter: Michael Harte
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co: Lightbox, Technicolor
Genre: Documentary, Sports & Fitness
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 4, 2022
Runtime: 1h 32m

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