The Dawn Wall (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Dawn Wall is a 2018 adventure documentary directed by Josh Lowell, starring Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson and John Branch. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Josh Lowell
- Genres
- Adventure , Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Red Bull Media House
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Dawn Wall About?
The premise of The Dawn Wall without spoilers.
In January 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson began an ambitious project: scaling the Dawn Wall, a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite. Their ascent garnered worldwide attention as they spent weeks meticulously climbing the daunting cliff face. For Caldwell, the challenge represented a deeply personal victory, built upon a history of overcoming significant adversity, including a traumatic hostage experience, a serious climbing accident that resulted in the loss of a finger, and a difficult divorce.
The Dawn Wall Themes & Keywords
· 4 tags- climbing
- extreme sport
- rock climbing
- sports documentary
The Dawn Wall Cast
Tommy Caldwell leads the cast, with Kevin Jorgeson and John Branch. Directed by Josh Lowell.
- Director Josh Lowell
- Tommy Caldwell as themselves
- Kevin Jorgeson as themselves
- John Branch as themselves
More from Josh Lowell
More films directed by Josh Lowell: The Cobra and the Heart, Barefoot Charles, Action Directe and Deep Roots.
The Dawn Wall Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Dawn Wall 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 87/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).
The Dawn Wall Echo Score Breakdown
The Dawn Wall stands out for its captivating portrayal of human perseverance and its exceptional visual storytelling. Critics consistently highlight the stunning Yosemite cinematography and the precise editing that immerses viewers in every climb, while audiences praise the compelling personal narratives of Caldwell and Jorgeson. Although a few noted slower pacing early on, the film’s dramatic tension and heartfelt moments maintain engagement throughout. In sum, The Dawn Wall offers a powerful documentary experience that resonates both emotionally and visually.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, the film’s cinematography and direction stand out as its greatest strengths. Reviewers praise the stunning Yosemite scenery, precise framing, and fluid camera movements that capture the climbers’ every motion. The editing maintains clarity across shifting timelines and close-up details. Overall, the documentary demonstrates high production values that enhance its visual impact.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary offers a compelling portrait of determination and partnership. The film’s focus on Caldwell and Jorgeson’s backstories evokes genuine empathy, and the interpersonal chemistry highlights mutual support through adversity. The narrative balances personal interviews with candid reflections, fostering an emotional connection. In conclusion, the depth of character study provides resonant human interest throughout.
- Story & Flow 80
In terms of story and flow, The Dawn Wall delivers an engaging and coherent narrative of a historic climb. Critics note the film’s drama-laden structure and opening pacing that gradually finds its rhythm. While a few observers mention slower segments early on, the unfolding challenges and backstory maintain overall engagement. Ultimately, the documentary balances originality and clarity to sustain audience interest.
- Sensory Experience 90
When it comes to sensory experience, the documentary excels in visual and auditory cohesion. Observers praise the rich sound design and evocative soundtrack that amplify tension during climbing sequences. The visual style combines sweeping landscape shots with detailed close-ups, creating a cohesive aesthetic throughout. Overall, the sensory presentation enhances immersion and complements the film’s dramatic and emotional dimensions.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch factor, The Dawn Wall offers moderate replay value rooted in its compelling visuals and narrative resonance. The film’s breathtaking cinematography and human drama encourage multiple viewings, though some viewers cite slow pacing early as a slight deterrent. The richness of personal interviews and the achievement’s magnitude sustain viewer curiosity over time. In sum, the documentary retains lasting appeal without fully commanding repeated viewings by all audiences.
-
IMDb 8.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 96%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 81 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 81% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.1 /5
99 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Dawn Wall Box Office
The Dawn Wall grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $970,032 came from the US and Canada and $475,487 (33%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
- US & Canada
- $970K
- International
- $475.5K
The Dawn Wall Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer The Dawn Wall (2018) | Official Trailer HD
- Clip
Cars in The Dawn Wall
5 cars on screen, including the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero and the Caterpillar D-Series.
-
1992 Mitsubishi Montero Minor role -
Caterpillar D-Series Background role -
1999 Ford F-Series Background role -
Lift King LK12000 Background role
The Dawn Wall Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “ドーン・ウォール” and “Durch die Wand”.
- Also known as
-
- ドーン・ウォール
- Durch die Wand
- Dawn Wall: Wspinaczka po rekord
- 던월
- Escalando Dawn Wall
- 黎明墙
- Το Τείχος της Αυγής
- Şafak Duvarı
- 垂直九十度的熱血人生
- שחר חדש ביוסמיטי
- Zid svitanja
- ドーンウォール
+1 more Show fewer
- Hajnalfal
Seen The Dawn Wall?
Movies Like The Dawn Wall
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Devil’s Climb, Free Solo and Touching the Void.
The Dawn Wall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Dawn Wall, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Dawn Wall?
The Dawn Wall runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Dawn Wall released?
The Dawn Wall was released on September 14, 2018.
Who directed The Dawn Wall?
The Dawn Wall was directed by Josh Lowell.
More films by Josh Lowell Who is in the cast of The Dawn Wall?
The Dawn Wall stars Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson and John Branch.
How much did The Dawn Wall make at the box office?
The Dawn Wall grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($970,032 domestic, $475,487 international).
How is The Dawn Wall rated?
The Dawn Wall has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 81% on TMDB.
Does The Dawn Wall have a post-credit scene?
No. The Dawn Wall has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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