The Climb (1998)

Director:

Bob Swaim

Writer (WGA):

Vince McKewin (written by)

Release Date:

18 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

John Langer, a crusty old civic engineer, has an arsenal full of memories. With irreverent wit, he rattles on...

Plot Keywords:

Radio Tower | Children | Baltimore Maryland | 1950s | Independent Film

Awards:

6 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Le défi (France) (dubbed version)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content and some language.

Runtime:

USA:98 min

Country:

France | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

France:U | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Ellipse Programme

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.

Quotes:

Danny Himes: Great, so um, maybe you wouldn't mind coming and showing 'em babies to my entire 6th grade class.

Pleasant Surprise

I am in general agreement with my fellow reviewers: despite the predictability of much of the story, the acting was well done overall & the story was plausible. John Hurt is always a pleasure to watch; David Strathairn reminded me a lot of a younger Sam Waterston. I found the climactic rescue scene very unsettling, and that's a tribute to the actors, since they (more than the special effects) conveyed the danger of the situation. I had never heard of this film before I saw it, so I had no big expectations--my formula for being pleasantly surprised.