1 Corinthians 9:24 compares the Christian life to a race. World Wide Pictures (WWP) turns that race into an extreme vertical ascent in The Climb, an acrophobia-defying story of faith, perseverance, humility and friendship. This unrated video is available at Christian bookstores or from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.
Ardent mountain climbers Michael (Ned Vaughn) and Derrick (Jason George) are as different as a summit is from a ravine. One’s a Christian. The other’s not. One is careful and calculating. The other reckless. So when they’re thrown together and given the challenge of scaling formidable Chilean peak Chicanagua, their differences prove as daunting as their mission.
Profanity, lewd sexual material and alcohol abuse are predictably absent, but the film does guide viewers through mature subjects such as premarital sex and a resulting pregnancy. A few scenes are intense as the men navigate dangerous terrain and get into a macho tussle.
The winner of several awards, The Climb—like most WWP films—has a strong evangelistic message. God’s love, compassion and plan of salvation aren’t just mentioned, they’re celebrated. But don’t equate clear biblical teaching with ersatz filmmaking. Not sedentary or trite, The Climb is an enjoyable trek.
