Opera Vertical Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of Opera Vertical?

Vertical Opera is a documentary film directed by Jean-Paul Janssen, with climbers Patrick Edlinger and Jean-Paul Lemercier in the Gorges du Verdon. The film opens with a training sequence of Patrick Edlinger then he links the routes with Jean-Paul Lemercier "L'Ange en décongelation" (7a), in which he falls voluntarily to demonstrate the usefulness of the rope, then "Le Septième Saut" (7b+). Finally, the final scene, an anthology, consists of a close-up of Edlinger who climbs free solo and barefoot the route "Débiloff", still in the Verdon, above hundreds of meters of void, all to lyrical music. It is "Wie Furchtsam Wankten Meine Schritte", the aria for alto voice from Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata BWV 33, music not unrelated to the subject of the documentary: "How faltering and fearful my steps were".

Jean-Paul Janssen's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Patrick Edlinger (Self)'s journey. The film opens with a training sequence of Patrick Edlinger then he links the routes with Jean-Paul Lemercier "L'Ange en décongelation" (7a), in which he falls voluntarily to demonstrate the usefulness of the rope, then "Le Septième Saut" (7b+).

How Does Patrick Edlinger (Self)'s Story End?

• Patrick Edlinger: Patrick Edlinger's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Jean-Paul Janssen delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 0h 27m runtime.
• Jean-Paul Lemercier (Self): Jean-Paul Lemercier's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.

What Does the Ending of Opera Vertical Mean?

Opera Vertical concludes with Jean-Paul Janssen reinforcing the documentary themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Patrick Edlinger leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.