Widely Praised 'Free Solo' Documentary Playing At Newtown Theatre

NEWTOWN, PA — "Free Solo," a National Geographic documentary about a man who climbed a 3,200-foot wall in Yosemite National Park without a rope, will be screened this weekend at the Newtown Theatre.

The film profiles the journey of Alex Honnold, a professional adventure rock climber who is the first person to complete a free solo climb of Yosemite National Park’s "El Capitan."

National Geographic calls Honnald's accomplishment "the greatest feat of pure rock climbing in the history of the sport."

It took him 3 hours, 56 minutes, according to National Geographic. He had trained for the climb for more than a year. Filmmakers Jimmy Chin, one of Honnold’s climbing partners, and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, filmed the ascent.

As National Geographic explains, El Capitan is considered the "epicenter of the rock climbing world." The peak is more than a half mile tall, which is higher than Burj Khalifa in Dubai — the world's tallest building.

The documentary has received rave reviews. Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday called it "riveting" and "breathtaking."

"Chin and Vasarhelyi have made a film that works both as a praiseworthy historical document rich in context and visual detail, and as a gripping emotional journey full of mythical resonance. Believe the hype, and go see 'Free Solo'," Hornaday wrote in an Oct. 3 review.

A reviewer with the Omaha World Herald said the film is "so good I nearly blacked out."

The documentary is 1 hour, 40 minutes and will be screened locally at the following times:

Friday, November 16 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 17 - 4:00 PM
Sunday, November 18 - 4:00 PM, 7:30 PM

The Newtown Theatre is located at 120 N. State St, Newtown.

Here is the film trailer:

Main image via YouTube