Marc-André Leclerc isn’t interested in your Instagram likes or Patagonia sponsors—he’s got two rules: no communication and no plan.
Picture “Free Solo” on steroids with a dash of Thoreau’s Walden thrown in.
The “Alpinist” will surely rank in the top 10 of best climbing documentaries when I finish that up. So much to do!
Trailer for “The Alpinist”
Watch “The Alpinist”
You can watch “The Alpinist” on Fubo, Peacock and USA (with subscription) and rent it ($3.99 last I checked) on Amazon, Apple, Microsoft et al.
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-alpinist
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 97/100 (Users); 93/100 (Critics)
Release date: September 10, 2021
My Review of “The Alpinist”
I love kooky-cool characters.
Marc-André Leclerc loved doing what no one else dared to try.
In “The Alpinist,” we follow the story of Leclerc, the young Canadian who tackled some of the world’s hardest climbs completely on his own.
He scaled mountains using no safety ropes, no harness, and, often, no one else around.
If he fell, it was game over.
You can’t make this sh*t up:
Marc-André once climbed Patagonia’s Torre Egger—a terrifyingly hard mountain—solo, with barely any supplies and no one tracking him. He just showed up, climbed it, and made it back before anyone even realized he was gone.
He lived by two simple rules: never climb in a place with cell service and always keep his goals secret.
For him, climbing was about testing himself, not fame or recognition.
The Alpinist is directed by climbing doc gurus Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen. (“The Dawn Wall”, “Valley Uprising”, “King Lines” and “First Ascent”)).
dKnown in the climbing world as one of the most skilled, Marc-André didn’t care about fame, social media, or breaking records. For him, climbing was a personal journey, a test of pure skill.
Insane Risks in Dangerous Places
The movie takes us to extreme, remote locations like British Columbia, Alaska, and Argentina.
In one scene, Marc-André scales an icy wall with nothing but spiked shoes and ice picks, as the ice cracks and shifts under him.
He’s quiet and calm, even when his life is in danger.
We see him climb alone in freezing temperatures and snowstorms, relying only on his skill and courage.
Marc-André’s girlfriend, Brette Harrington, is a talented climber, too.
She understands why he’s drawn to dangerous, solo climbs. At times, she joins him on climbs, but she also knows he needs to go alone.
This puts Brette in a tough spot—she wants him safe but knows he won’t stop taking risks.
His family, especially his mother, worries about him constantly, knowing that one slip could end everything.
I love when they show the romantic mate behind a legendary character.
It gives you a much fuller story.
A Wild, Private Spirit
Marc-André’s approach to climbing makes him different from other famous climbers. He doesn’t have sponsors or a big online following.
He often leaves without telling anyone where he’s going, which frustrates his friends and the filmmakers.
In fact, Mortimer and Rosen struggle to track him down for parts of the film because he doesn’t carry a phone.
He dislikes being filmed and says climbing isn’t about showing off or winning—it’s about feeling free.
There’s a sense of mystery around him. Unlike other extreme athletes who seek fame, he only cares about the experience itself.
Marc-André has no desire for publicity, even though he is one of the most talented climbers alive.
In fact, he once climbed the extremely difficult Emperor Face in the Canadian Rockies, a route no one had completed solo, and kept it mostly to himself.
When the filmmakers find him, it’s usually by luck, and they capture him quietly preparing for his next big climb.
Wrap Up
“The Alpinist” is gripping, beautiful, and tragic.
Marc-André Leclerc is unlike anyone else in his world, taking on incredible challenges without safety nets or even much support.
Mortimer and Rosen give us stunning views of the mountains he loved and the icy cliffs he scaled.
Watching Marc-André’s story is unforgettable, and by the end, you’ll feel like you’ve been to the edge and back. This doc is about the risks people take to feel fully engaged.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc