Touching the Asteroid
Touching the Asteroid

Movie spotlight

Touching the Asteroid

2020
Movie
53 min
English

Spacecraft OSIRIS-REx attempts to grab a piece of an asteroid to bring back to Earth so scientists can study it to learn about the planet's origins.

Insights

IMDb8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic84/100
Google Users94%
Director: Kevin MacdonaldGenres: Documentary, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History

Plot Summary

This gripping documentary recounts the harrowing true story of two mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, on a perilous climb in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. When a catastrophic accident leaves Simpson with a broken leg and unable to descend, Yates makes the agonizing decision to cut the rope, leaving him for dead.

Critical Reception

Touching the Void was met with widespread critical acclaim, celebrated for its intense realism, compelling storytelling, and breathtaking cinematography. Reviewers lauded its ability to immerse the audience in the terrifying ordeal of the climbers, with many calling it one of the greatest documentary films ever made.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted documentary that delivers a visceral and emotionally charged experience.

  • Praised for its stunning visuals and the raw, unflinching portrayal of human endurance and the will to survive.

  • The film successfully balances thrilling adventure with profound human drama.

Google audience: Audiences were captivated by the film's incredible true story of survival against impossible odds. Many Google users highlighted the suspenseful narrative and the emotional impact of Joe Simpson's ordeal, frequently describing it as inspiring and unforgettable.

Awards & Accolades

BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film, Sundance Film Festival Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary, Nominated for Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Fun Fact

The reenactment scenes were filmed in the Alps, and at one point, director Kevin Macdonald genuinely feared for the safety of the actors portraying Joe Simpson and Simon Yates during a particularly treacherous sequence.

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