The Dawn Wall
Seen it?2017 | 101 min | Documentary, Adventure
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for adventure fans and the curious. If you loved Free Solo or 300, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Exciting, eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
8.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Critics' Choice Award and 1 PGA Award.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a modest audience
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 55K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Free Solo
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Tommy Caldwell, in another critically acclaimed documentary.
300
Saturday SpecialAnother true-story adventure, and a Saturday Special.
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
African Cats
Weeknight WatchAnother documentary, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Fire of Love Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed documentary that fewer people know today.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer
- Tommy CaldwellSelf
- John BranchSelf
- Kevin JorgesonSelf
- Mike CaldwellSelf – Tommy's Father
- Terry CaldwellSelf – Tommy's Mother
- Kelly CordesSelf – Tommy's Friend