The Climb (1999 film)

For other uses, see The Climb (disambiguation).

The Climb
DVD Cover Art for The Climb Re-Release
Directed by	Bob Swaim
Written by	Vince McKewin
Produced by	Executive Producers Robert Rea Mark McClafferty Producers Mark McClafferty Pamela Edwards McClafferty Tom Parkinson
Starring	John Hurt Gregory Smith David Strathairn Stephen McHattie Seth Smith Sarah Buxton Marla Sokoloff Matthew Ness
Cinematography	Allen Guilford
Edited by	Marie Sophie Dubus
Music by	Gréco Casadesus
Distributed by	Spellbound Pictures
Release date	1999 (1999)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	New Zealand
Language	English
Budget	$US6 million

The Climb is a 1999 dramatic film directed by Bob Swaim starring John Hurt, Gregory Smith, David Strathairn, and Marla Sokoloff. ^[1] An unlikely pair develops a relationship in search of freedom from the inequities and colliding with the inevitabilities of life. It was re-released on DVD 21 August 2007.

Plot

John Langer (John Hurt), a crusty old civil engineer, has an arsenal full of memories. With irreverent wit, he rattles on, in his irascible humorous style, burning his spicy stories into the imagination of a young neighbour kid, Danny Himes (Gregory Smith). Danny is a gifted, spirited athlete with something to prove. Worldly, old man Langer has turned his back on proving anything at all.

Langer and Danny seem an unlikely pair, but their relationship soon turns from young caregiver/caretaker to student/mentor to comrades on a quest to free themselves individually from life's inequities and inevitabilities.

It is post World War II. Danny's father, Earl (David Strathairn), did not serve in the military and is considered a coward. Danny excels to overcome his father's reputation while Earl is actually more a man than the town knows.

Cast

Actor	Role
John Hurt	Chuck Langer
Gregory Smith	Danny Himes
David Strathairn	Earl Himes
Stephen McHattie	Jack McLaskin
Seth Smith	Andy Sweeney
Sarah Buxton	Ruth Langer
Marla Sokoloff	Leslie Himes
Matthew Ness	Wayne Barto

Awards

• The UNICEF Award – Berlin German
• Winner of the Jury Grand Prix – Vienna Film Festival
• Pierrot D'or Grand Prix – Pierrot Gourmand Film Festival
• Special Mention – Montreal Film Festival
• The Prix du Public – Giffoni Film Festival
• Best Picture – New Zealand Film Award
• Official Viewer's Choice – Temecula Valley Intern'l Film Festival
• Best Action Adventure – Houston Film Festival
• Best Action Adventure – Flagstaff Film Festival

References

1. Stack, Peter (26 February 1999). "Four Star Theater Gives Overlooked 'The Climb' a Boost / John Hurt great in poignant tale". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved 24 February 2024.

External links

• The Climb – The Official DVD Site
• The Climb at IMDb