The Climb (1999 film)

The Climb
DVD Cover Art for The Climb Re-Release
Directed by	Bob Swaim
Produced by	Executive Producers Robert Rea Mark McClafferty Producers Mark McClafferty Pamela Edwards McClafferty Tom Parkinson
Written by	Vince McKewin
Starring	John Hurt Gregory Smith David Strathairn Stephen McHattie Seth Smith Sarah Buxton Marla Sokoloff Matthew Ness
Music by	Gréco Casadesus
Cinematography	Allen Guilford
Edited by	Marie Sophie Dubus
Distributed by	Spellbound Pictures
Release date	1999
Running time	94 minutes
Country	New Zealand
Language	English
Budget	$US6 million

The Climb is a dramatic film directed by Bob Swaim starring John Hurt, Gregory Smith, David Strathairn, Marla Sokoloff, and Sarah Buxton. It was re-released on DVD 21 August 2007.

John Langer, (John Hurt) a crusty old civil engineer, has an arsenal full of memories. With irreverent wit, he rattles on, in his irascible humorous style, burning his spicy stories into the imagination of a young neighbour kid, Danny Himes (Gregory Smith). Danny is a gifted, spirited athlete with something to prove. Worldly, old man Langer has turned his back on proving anything at all.

Langer and Danny seem an unlikely pair, but their relationship soon turns from young caregiver/caretaker to student/mentor to comrades on a quest to free themselves individually from life's inequities and inevitabilities.

It's post World War II. Danny's father, Earl (David Strathairn), did not serve in the military and is considered a coward. Danny excels to overcome his father's reputation while Earl is actually more a man than the town knows.

The UNICEF Award – Berlin German
Winner of the Jury Grand Prix – Vienna Film Festival
Pierrot D'or Grand Prix – Pierrot Gourmand Film Festival
Special Mention – Montreal Film Festival
The Prix du Public – Giffoni Film Festival
Best Picture – New Zealand Film Award
Official Viewer's Choice – Temecula Valley Intern'l Film Festival
Best Action Adventure – Houston Film Festival
Best Action Adventure – Flagstaff Film Festival