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

This film had it's world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in 1991, with Werner Herzog in attendance. He explained, during his introduction to the film, that they hadn't had time yet to add subtitles for the couple of scenes with Spanish dialog. During these scenes, Herzog himself, shouted out from the theater audience, the English translation of the lines spoken in Spanish.

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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

Ivan: I forgot the garlic.
Roccia: What an asshole you are. You always forget the essential.

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Connections

Edited into Cliffhanger (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Journey on the Wind of Time I"
Performed by Alan Lamb
(from the recording "Austral Voices")

User Reviews

A decent climbing movie

This movie left me with mixed feelings. The filmography is beautiful but the acting not quite.

The good thing is that it is really a climbing movie, not an action movie wrapped up into a mountain scenery (like Cliffhanger or Vertical Limit). Some of the actors are real (and good) climbers and one gets a glimpse of the climbing ethics (or lack thereof when sponsors come into the field).

The scenario is very loosely based on the story of the first ascent of Cerro Torre, a hard Patagonian peak. Definitely worth seeing if you are into climbing.