This film about Alex Honnold, the first person to climb the awe inspiring El Capitan at Yosemite National Park without a rope, harness or protective equipment, won the best documentary award at this year’s Oscars. It is easy to see why, as not only does it depict a death defying feat, the actual footage of him doing that is spectacular and a real technical achievement.
As someone who struggles more than a few steps up on an unsecured ladder, I did find it hard to identify with Alex and his obsessive need to risk his life climbing. Despite that, and despite knowing the outcome of the climb in advance, this is pretty gripping and scary stuff.
Rating: 8 out of 10