The Summit
A harrowing documentary reconstruction of the 2008 K2 disaster, where summit ambition collides with lethal mountain conditions.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- harrowing
- tense
- austere
- serious documentary night
- adventure film marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the documentary gripping and visually powerful, though its reconstruction and dramatic presentation received more mixed appreciation than its subject matter.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film revisits the 2008 K2 disaster through climbers' accounts and a reconstruction of its deadliest day.
K2's extreme altitude, steep terrain, weather, and isolation dominate the film's visual and emotional experience.
Climbers including Marco Confortola, Cecilie Skog, and Wilco Van Rooijen contribute differing firsthand perspectives on the disaster.
The expedition's pursuit of the K2 summit is continually threatened by altitude, terrain, weather, and cascading crisis.
Films like The Summit, and why
Touching the Void
mountaineering documentary focused on perilous high-altitude survival and human endurance
Meru
intense climbing documentary combining firsthand testimony, wilderness danger, and survival drama
Free Solo
real-world expedition documentary shaped by extreme environmental danger and suspenseful reconstruction
Movie Details
- Director
- Nick Ryan
- Release Date
- 2013-10-04
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (107)
Cast
- Christine Barnes
- Christo Mitzkov
- Hoselito Bite
- Marco Confortola
- Cecilie Skog
- Wilco Van Rooijen
- Alberto Zerain
- Cas Van de Gevel
- Niall Foley
- Pat Falvey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Summit about?
- A harrowing documentary reconstruction of the 2008 K2 disaster, where summit ambition collides with lethal mountain conditions.
- What is The Summit like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Summit as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Summit violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Summit as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Summit?
- Critics generally found the documentary gripping and visually powerful, though its reconstruction and dramatic presentation received more mixed appreciation than its subject matter.
- Which films are like The Summit?
- Films with a similar feel include Touching the Void, Meru, and Free Solo.
- How long is The Summit?
- The Summit runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Summit?
- In United States, The Summit streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
