Touching the Void

Directed by Kevin McDonald
based on the book by Joe Simpson

            Seeing Touching the Void shouldn’t be a necessary deterrence from mountain climbing – the outright danger should be enough on its own – but for extremists still bent on defying death, Kevin McDonald’s new documentary is a most effective and convincing look at sheer peril. Based upon the best selling account by Joe Simpson, a climber who broke his leg in the Peruvian Andes, was left for dead by his partner Simon Yates and then miraculously survived with an unbelievable discension back to his base camp.
             The film is told through interviews and voice-overs from Simpson and Yates combined with a reenactment of the events with actors (Brendan Mackey and Nicolas Aaron). After the principal accident is depicted, the picture drags, yet one has to put into perspective how the actual time felt for Simpson. Eventually he becomes demented and McDonald’s use of camera tricks, editing and soundtrack allow for some idea of what that was like for him. Simpson’s narration during the whole sequence also adds some great comic relief.
           The courage portrayed is admirable and may in fact influence people desiring of their own adventures. After all, Simpson has even returned to the sport that almost killed him. A similar experience may be the only way to a true understanding, but Touching the Void will remind many that some risks might not be worth taking.