The Climb

1998·Movie
1h 34min
69
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Climb fingerprint

Big heart, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Adrenaline5
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Moving and cathartic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age8
  • Family Dynamics8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Physical Comedy2
  • Dark Humor2

World

History, growing up, and family

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters

  • Character Depth8
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Music Composition7
  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something to laugh at

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Baltimore, 1959. Danny's dad is the only man in the neighborhood who didn't fight in World War II. Danny, who's 12, gets teased and folks make nasty cracks about cowards. An old radio tower on a nearby hill is about to be torn down, and Danny decides to climb it to prove his courage. Help comes from an aging neighbor, Old Man Langer, a former construction foreman who's dying of cancer and wants Danny to help him commit suicide. Langer rigs pulleys and weights to help the lad make the climb. Meanwhile, an aggressive and angry neighbor (an army vet) regularly gets drunk and shoots off his rifle, and Danny's dad must confront him. It all comes to a head one stormy night.
Coming-of-Age DramaHistorical PeriodFather-Son RelationshipSmall-Town AmericaOvercoming FearCourage and DeterminationUnexpected FriendshipFacing Mortality

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Climb

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Climb legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Climb in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Climb worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69/100 (IMDb 6.7). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Climb rated?

Strong languageSuicide themes

Content advisories: strong language and suicide themes.

How long is The Climb?

1 h 34 min

The Climb runs 1 h 34 min.

What language is The Climb in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in New Zealand, Canada, France.

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