Is The Dark Glow of the Mountain Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1985)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Dark Glow of the Mountain (1985), audiences are invited back into the world of Documentary. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Werner Herzog follows mountaineers Hans Kammerlander and Reinhold Messner during their expedition into climbing the Gasherbrum mountains, which has some of the most difficult peaks to be conquered, and they'll do it without the use of oxygen tanks. Herzog also takes some time to hear about their past experiences with other mountains, their personal tragedies and the reasons why they are so involved with such activity."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Dark Glow of the Mountain, Werner Herzog delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Dark Glow of the Mountain worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 1985, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Dark Glow of the Mountain is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 45 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.