Cerro Torre: Schrei aus Stein (1991)

A meeting of two world famous climbers, one an experienced mountaineer the other a sport climber, and a journalist (Ivan) results in a bet on which of the two is the best climber. Roger (... See full summary »

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writers:

Hans-Ulrich Klenner, Walter Saxer,

Stars:

Vittorio Mezzogiorno, Mathilda May, Stefan Glowacz

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vittorio Mezzogiorno	...	Roccia
Mathilda May	...	Katharina
Stefan Glowacz	...	Martin
Al Waxman	...	Stephen
Gunilla Karlzen	...	Carla
Chavela Vargas	...	Indianerin
Georg Marischka	...	Werbeagent
Volker Prechtel	...	Himalaja-Bezwinger
Hans Kammerlander	...	Bergsteiger
Lautaro Murúa	...	Estanciero
Brad Dourif	...	Fingerless
Donald Sutherland	...	Ivan
Amelie Fried	...	TV-Moderatorin
Werner Herzog	...	TV-Regisseur
Wolfgang Müller

Storyline

A meeting of two world famous climbers, one an experienced mountaineer the other a sport climber, and a journalist (Ivan) results in a bet on which of the two is the best climber. Roger (the mountaineering expert) states that Martin (the sport climber) wouldn't survive a day on a 'real' climbing expedition, although he is considered to be the world's best sport climber (having just won an indoor 'world championship,' an event depicted in the opening scene). They plan to climb 'Cerro Torre,' in the Patagonia region of South America, near the Argentinian/Chilean border, one of the world's most difficult mountains, especially considering the extreme weather conditions common to the area. The rivalry among the two men results eventually in the death of their common friend and the stealing of Roger's girlfriend (Katrina) by Martin. In the end the rivalry results in a 'climb against time' in which Martin and Roger each attempt different routes up the mountain in a race to the summit. But ...

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Plot Keywords:

climbing | mountaineering | mountaineer | mountain climbing | female nudity | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Germany France Canada Italy Argentina

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1991 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Scream of Stone

Filming Locations:

Patagonia, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 6,340,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sera Filmproduktion, Molécule, Films A2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ivan gives Roccia a book by Bruce Chatwin. Chatwin was the author of the Viceroy of Ouidah which Werner Herzog adapted into his previous feature film Cobra Verde (1987).

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Goofs

During Roger's climb of Cerro Torre, in the scene immediately following the blizzard, several crew members can be seen in the reflection of his goggles.

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Quotes

Fingerless: The old..."finger snatcher". I'll tell you you one thing. No one ever never will get to the top. I'll tell you why. Because Cerro Torre is not a mountain. It's a scream of stone. Yeah.

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Connections

References Ran (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Fog Tropes"
Performed by Ingram Marshall
(from the recording "Fog Tropes / Gradual Requiem")

User Reviews

Herzog's least impressive work. Somewhat good though.

Definitely one of the least interesting works of Werner Herzog but even so, as one fellow critic noted, even his failures are epic and he makes something good out of them. Once again he explores the conflict between man versus nature, the conflict of man against others and also against himself. While he treats the first in a good way, the second and the third are displeasing, flawed and lacking in depth which drags down most of the film almost downhill, or better saying down the mountain.

Climbing the Cierro Torre, all the way up to the top they go. Who's they? One veteran climber (Vittorio Mezzogiorno), one acrobat/wall climber (Stefan Glowacz) trying the impossible for the first time going in one of the most difficult mountains of all, located in Patagonia (3000 meters, which is way shorter than the Everest but still a giant task), fighting against each other for the top of the mountain and for a woman's heart (she is played by Mathilda May). And their duel is followed by a sports reporter (Donald Sutherland) who thinks he's about to cover the event of the century. Plot twist: it looks like someone already had been there but can we trust this guy (Brad Dourif) who says he has left four fingers in there? Maybe...

The problem with "Scream of Stone" is to be uninteresting and flat while dealing with themes that are better presented in other movies. The fight between fearless arrogance and defiance versus experience and talent is overdone, and it's not that brilliant in here. He doesn't bring profundity to any of those themes. The ethical aspect when it comes to present facts versus doubts, introduced when the younger guy claims to have been at the top of the Scream of Stone, was almost fascinating. He was questioned by the reporters and true professionals, and out of this moment of his being cornered, having nowhere to go, he accepts the challenge and goes again to the mountain. But even so, Herzog doesn't bring excitement neither to the story and neither to the climbing scenes, the adventure stays too much in the background while the characters are carelessly brought to the foreground but you can't relate with them for too long. The whole set up involving the female going from climber to the other doesn't convince, it's too simplistic and it's only used as a device for the upcoming third act (which works). I mean, she just happen to fall for the winners. You don't get the sense that she loves one or the other.

It never reaches the splendorous, poetic and powerful images of "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" or "Fitzcarraldo" but there's beauty in some of them - the mountain has a gorgeous peak, magnificently visualized in the few aerial shots. The cast makes this worthwhile, specially the actor who plays the experienced alpinist. Overall, it's fine, Herzog is working with something he's very familiar with, to being aware of our ambitions and to conquer them regardless of consequences, living the dream even if they look like a nightmare. Just hoped this could be more impressive. 6/10