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Torn

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Torn 2021 1h 32m Documentary Sports & Fitness Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Widely hailed as the greatest mountaineer of his generation, Alex Lowe was a towering figure in the world of outdoor sports. But he loomed even larger for his oldest son, Max, who was only 11 in 1999 when Alex was buried by an avalanche along with cameraman David Bridges while attempting to ski the north face of Mount Shishapangma in the Tibetan Himalaya. Seventeen years after their deaths, Lowe's and Bridges' bodies were found by two climbers attempting the same route, and in the following months, Lowe's family journeyed to the remote mountain to recover them. In the powerful and deeply moving new documentary TORN, director Max Lowe examines the long-buried feelings this unearthed for him and his family, including his mother, Jennifer; his younger brothers, Sam and Isaac; and his stepfather, Conrad Anker, Alex's climbing partner and best friend.
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Torn

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Jan 21, 2022
4/5
Part family therapy, part weapons-grade tearjerker, this quite lovely documentary from the novice film-maker Max Lowe is an attempt to grapple with the implications of his father's death. Go to Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian Jan 18, 2022
4/5
One of its pleasures is that everyone here is thoroughly decent, with a real story to tell. Go to Full Review Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle Jan 7, 2022
[A] family story given elegant structure and poignancy... Go to Full Review Mark Serrels CNET Mar 28, 2023
Torn is a sympathetic portrait of Anker. It's also a heartbreaking portrait of a family who, more than 20 years after Lowe's death, still seems to be in recovery mode. Go to Full Review Rahul Desai News9 Live (India) Jul 25, 2022
Nothing about it is natural. But across Torn, Conrad Anker goes from guest to tireless companion – one who punctures the loneliness and cements the solitude of a broken family. Go to Full Review Sr. Rose Pacatte St. Anthony Messenger Mar 25, 2022
The film is commendable because of how it deals so sensitively and honestly with Alex’s struggle to choose between family and his passion for mountain climbing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ivy B @RT49307978 Jun 19, 2026 Torn is one of those rare documentaries that quietly breaks through the walls we build around our hearts. Heartbreaking, beautiful, and somehow capable of releasing emotions that words often can’t….. See more Nick D. @inonomus Feb 8, 2026 Emotional. Gripping. Eye-opening. See more Marilyn B @RT91584320 Jul 8, 2025 Interesting film, not sure Alex was very likeable, he certainly didn’t seem to understand that his wife and children had needs. The part of the film in the car where Alex is talking to the boys was odd, they seemed not comfortable with him. He was a bit overbearing, you have to wonder how he would have handled three stroppy teenagers. See more Kay T @RT38246120 Jun 14, 2025 I don't get what you guys are going on about - does Conrad getting together with Jennifer not weird you guys out one bit? How does this movie deserve a 100% See more Feb 23, 2022 incredible. 100% worth the watch See more Feb 11, 2022 This is a beautiful and remarkable story. As simple as that. See more Read all reviews
Torn

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Cast & Crew

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Max Lowe

Director

Conrad Anker

Self

Jonathan Chinn

Producer

Simon Chinn

Producer

Chris Murphy

Producer

Ryan Harrington

Executive Producer

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Torn

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Movie Info

Synopsis Widely hailed as the greatest mountaineer of his generation, Alex Lowe was a towering figure in the world of outdoor sports. But he loomed even larger for his oldest son, Max, who was only 11 in 1999 when Alex was buried by an avalanche along with cameraman David Bridges while attempting to ski the north face of Mount Shishapangma in the Tibetan Himalaya. Seventeen years after their deaths, Lowe's and Bridges' bodies were found by two climbers attempting the same route, and in the following months, Lowe's family journeyed to the remote mountain to recover them. In the powerful and deeply moving new documentary TORN, director Max Lowe examines the long-buried feelings this unearthed for him and his family, including his mother, Jennifer; his younger brothers, Sam and Isaac; and his stepfather, Conrad Anker, Alex's climbing partner and best friend.
Director
Max Lowe
Producer
Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Chris Murphy, Max Lowe
Screenwriter
Michael Harte
Distributor
National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co
Lightbox, Technicolor
Genre
Documentary, Sports & Fitness
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 4, 2022
Runtime
1h 32m
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