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The Climb (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   254 votes
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Up 13% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Bob Swaim
Writer (WGA):
Vince McKewin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Climb on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 February 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
John Langer, (John Hurt) a crusty old civic engineer, has an arsenal full of memories. With irreverent wit... more | add synopsis
Awards:
6 wins & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
1950s American characters, well acted more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

John Hurt ... Chuck Langer

Gregory Smith ... Danny Himes

David Strathairn ... Earl Himes

Stephen McHattie ... Jack McLaskin
Seth Smith ... Andy Sweeney

Sarah Buxton ... Ruth Langer (as Sarah G. Buxton)
Marla Sokoloff ... Leslie Himes
Matthew Ness ... Wayne Barto
Michael Saccente ... Ed Langer
Tina Regtien ... Eileen Barto
Oliver Hodges ... Tommy Sweeney
Michael Galvin ... Father Cronin
Nigel Godfrey ... Langer's Doctor
Dave Perrett ... Joe Grace
Peter Rowley ... Rules Rhodes
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Le défi (France) (dubbed version)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content and some language.
Runtime:
USA:98 min
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
France:U | USA:PG-13
Filming Locations:
Auckland, New Zealand

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Ruth turns on the radio in her bedroom it begins to play immediately, not taking time to warm up like a tube radio from that period would. Either the radio is solid state or, more likely, this reveals the music being added in after the scene. more
Quotes:
Danny Himes: Great, so um, maybe you wouldn't mind coming and showing 'em babies to my entire 6th grade class. more

FAQ

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful:-
1950s American characters, well acted, 1 December 2004
Author: jimor (jimor2@yahoo.com) from Milwaukee, Wis. USA

While some aspects of the plot of "The Climb" may be predictable, this is a character film and the characters are well drawn and well acted. The lead actor, the young Gregory Smith, is especially excellent in the role of a seemingly typical youth of 1959, eager to display his courage in a typical escapade of boys his age: the climbing of a decommissioned radio tower to compete with other kids in the Baltimore neighborhood where the story is set. He is complemented by veteran actor John Hurt as a crusty old neighbor who seeks solace in drink until Gregory's "12-year-old" character comes into his life via an arrow through his window! The two become pals of sorts as Hurt helps young Gregory in his aim to be the first kid to climb the rusty tower, slated for demolition soon. This time-is-of-the-essence element moves the story along as it is also part of Hurt's dying character. This is what keeps the vignettes of 50s America and side lines of the peripheral characters in proper scope and duration. Perhaps the most multilevel performance is that of Gregory's father played by David Stratharin, a man of evident decentness in his portrayal, and, one would think from this, in his personal life as well.

Gregory Smith went on to other films, and is perhaps best known in the TV series "Everwood", but he is at his most attractive and engaging in this role in "The Climb." Dave Stratharin has done many fine performances as his page on this site makes clear, but this is one of his most nuanced roles as others have noted. We could have done without the boobs scene between Hurt's daughter-in-law and the priest, but I suppose it was supposed to lighten up a rather sober story line, and with its omission, this is a also a good film for kids. This flick is neither high drama nor a laugh fest, and it may not be a classic, but it is thoroughly enjoyable as the rich character study it is.

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