The Long Hope

The Long Hope is a compelling 2011 documentary directed by Paul Diffley, starring Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner. This film tells the unforgettable thrilling story of Dave MacLeod's 20-year burning passion for the St John's head cliff, located in the isolated northern Scottish archipelago of Orkney.

Dave MacLeod is celebrated as one of the most talented and accomplished modern climbers in the world, known for scaling seemingly impossible ascents. Andy Turner, another rock-climbing aficionado, is renowned for his skilled ice climbing. They both pioneer different paths, but their mutual obsession with scaling harsh vertical landscapes brings them together in a chronicle that combines breathtaking visual spectacle and deeply human personal drama.

St John's head is a vertical sea cliff that measures an impressive 1150 feet (350 meters), the highest in Britain. This cliff had an untouched route which had been only partially ascended in the past due to its extreme difficulty and the formidable reputation of the rugged Northern Atlantic environment. The Long Hope Route was first climbed in the 1970s by Ed Drummond together with Oliver Hill and provides an extraordinary challenge for any climber.

The documentary maintains a riveting dual narrative. The film seamlessly interweaves between MacLeod's arduous climb with Turner, and the original journey of Drummond from decades before to create a multi-generational presentation of audacity, adventure, and hope. Motivated by Drummond's original exploration, MacLeod aims not just to climb the cliff, but to free climb it, using ropes only for safety and depending entirely on his physical strength and skill to ascend.

Dave MacLeod's sincere narration and candid interviews impart an emotional core to the film, creating a poignant narrative voice that makes his journey accessible and deeply personal. Interviews with Ed Drummond also offer a valuable insight into the mind of another climber whose echo still molds the ethos of the climbing community.

The inevitable and dangerous challenges that the climbers face become a quest for pushing personal and physical limits. Their journey is not just against the rock, but against unpredictable weather, the pull of gravity, and their own mental and physical endurance. Their battle transforms into a symbol of man's innate desire to conquer the unknown, to journey beyond our comfort zone and face challenges head-on.

The Long Hope presents spectacular cinematography capturing details of an enthralling climb and the awe-inspiring natural landscape of the Orkney sea cliffs. The documentary, while creating a heart-throbbing adventure narrative, also takes time to revel in the rugged beauty of its surroundings. Moments of peace and tranquillity, interspersed with the tension of the climb, present a balanced and nuanced exploration of the terrifying majesty of nature.

The film is more than just about climbing. It delves into the philosophical level, exploring questions on the purpose of life, passion, and the indomitable human spirit. It discusses the importance of hope, the necessity for continual aspiration, and the human capacity to dream and to strive for those dreams.

This deeper exploration of motivation, passion, fear, and hope sets The Long Hope firmly apart from other documentaries in the adventure genre. It offers watchers a rich blend of extraordinary physical feats, deep personal introspection, and breathtaking natural beauty that will leave them inspired and deeply moved.

In conclusion, The Long Hope is an enthralling documentary for fans of climbing, for lovers of wild isolated landscapes, and for anyone interested in profound human stories of aspiration and resolution. It is a visually stunning, contemplative exploration of the human spirit's resilience, ambition, and an intense longing to engage not just climbing, but the philosophy of human existence.