The Alpinist
A publicity-shy young climber pursues nearly impossible solo ascents across remote mountains, turning alpinism into a breathtaking meditation on freedom and risk.
Overview
Experience the breathtaking world of solo climbing through the eyes of a true adventurer.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- awe-struck
- intimate
- tense
- adventure movie night
- outdoor film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film as a sincere, visually stunning, heart-in-mouth tribute to Marc-André Leclerc and solo alpine climbing, while noting that its admiration can become hyperbolic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Leclerc avoids phones, cars, cameras, and publicity, insisting on climbing according to his own pure vision.
The film uses close, vertiginous footage of Leclerc soloing exposed rock and ice routes without ropes.
Leclerc's solo ascents and Patagonia expedition are presented as efforts to redefine what solo climbing can achieve.
Remote Canadian and Patagonian mountain faces dominate the film's emotional and visual experience.
Films like The Alpinist, and why
Free Solo
high-risk solo climbing, breathtaking mountain cinematography, and an intimate portrait of an elusive athlete
Meru
extreme mountaineering documentary built around physical danger, endurance, and awe-inspiring natural landscapes
Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey
adventure documentary focused on a driven climber confronting severe alpine risk and personal limits
Movie Details
- Directors
- Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen
- Release Date
- 2021-02-07
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (188)
Cast
- Marc-André Leclerc
- Brette Harrington
- Alex Honnold
- Reinhold Messner
- Ueli Steck
- Dean Potter
- Derek Hersey
- Jon Walsh
- Tommy Caldwell
- Austin Siadak
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, YouTube TV, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Alpinist about?
- A publicity-shy young climber pursues nearly impossible solo ascents across remote mountains, turning alpinism into a breathtaking meditation on freedom and risk.
- What is The Alpinist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Alpinist as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Alpinist violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Alpinist.
- What did critics think of The Alpinist?
- Critics broadly praise the film as a sincere, visually stunning, heart-in-mouth tribute to Marc-André Leclerc and solo alpine climbing, while noting that its admiration can become hyperbolic.
- Which films are like The Alpinist?
- Films with a similar feel include Free Solo, Meru, and Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey.
- How long is The Alpinist?
- The Alpinist runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Alpinist?
- In United States, The Alpinist streams on Peacock Premium, YouTube TV, Peacock Premium Plus.
