SummaryMarc-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 ... Read More
Directed By:Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen
The Alpinist
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
62% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
38% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Oct 14, 2021
80
A portrait of a man who, as one of his contemporaries remarked, feels almost too comfortable on the side of a mountain.
Sep 23, 2021
80
The footage of Leclerc ascending sheer, near-featureless sheets of rock is so defiant of physics that it is easy to forget just how mind-bogglingly dangerous it is.
User score
Generally Favorable
92% Positive
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
4% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Oct 2, 2021
10
Incredible story and incredible achievement. Just understand that free climbing isn't free solo. Free climbing is climbing with a rope but not to assist you. Only to catch you if you fall. Some routes are impossible to free solo, even by the best of the best, which is where free climbing takes over. In terms of difficulty, free climbing is in most cases far more difficult than free solo, because it involves almost impossible routes.
Aug 31, 2021
80
As a piece of watch-through-your-fingers outdoors filmmaking, The Alpinist stands right up alongside the Oscar-winning Free Solo.
Sep 8, 2021
75
There is a revealing narrative here: a conflict, a climax and a denouement that you may not expect. The Alpinist has built-in drama, simply by virtue of who and what it sets out to document.
Oct 4, 2021
60
It’s the enigma of Marc-André that makes this such a compelling documentary.
Sep 9, 2021
60
The movie could stand to demystify how some of its most terrifying early shots were filmed. (Later on, we’re told Leclerc agreed to carry a small camera himself to shoot part of a conquest in Patagonia.) But it does capture its subject’s philosophy.
Sep 8, 2021
50
This is a movie, not a book or feature article. And having a subject who largely refuses to cooperate, thereby forcing the filmmakers to sit around at home and relate much of what happens indirectly, doesn’t exactly make for a classic.
Sep 26, 2021
10
This was an extraordinary movie. If you enjoyed “Free Solo” about Alex Honnold ascent of El Cap without a rope, you will thoroughly appreciate this documentary. The staggering climbs LeClerc successfully completed are off the charts in every way possible. I could go on and on about this film. I won’t divulge the ending. I didn’t know it until I saw this the other day. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Nov 16, 2021
8
Normally not one for documentaries in a theater, but this is one I'm glad I saw.
Production Company:
- Red Bull Media House
- Sender Films
Release Date:Sep 10, 2021
Duration:1 h 22 m
Rating:PG-13
Awards
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Sports Emmy Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
