Blindsight (2006)
91%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 2 nominations
Blindsight is a documentary that will leave you breathless, not only from the stunning visuals of the Himalayas but also from the incredible story of a group of blind Tibetan teenagers who attempt to climb Mount Everest. Lucy Walker’s direction is masterful, allowing the audience to witness the clash of cultures between the determined Americans and the wise Tibetan teacher, Sabriye Tenberken. The film is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance, and it will leave you feeling both inspired and humbled. Blindsight is a must-see for anyone who loves a good underdog story and breathtaking cinematography.
Blindsight is a documentary that will leave you gasping for air, not just because of the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, but also because of the incredible story of a group of blind Tibetan teenagers who attempt to climb a mountain. The clash of cultures between the determined Americans and their remarkable teacher Sabriye Tenberken adds an extra layer of intrigue to this heartwarming and inspiring film. It’s a reminder that human powers, against all odds, can achieve the impossible. Plus, it’s a great way to feel lazy while watching people climb a mountain.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Year of Release
2008
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):Tibetan, German, English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): May 17, 2011
Genre(s)
Documentary/Adventure
Keyword(s)
Blindsight, documentary, adventure, Tibetan, Mount Everest, blindness, Erik Weihenmayer, Jeff Evans, Stefani Jackenthal, Kami Tenzing Sherpa, Sabriye Tenberken, Ed Weihenmayer, Lucy Walker, Sybil Robson, PG, box office, budget, reviewed by Derek Malcolm, Anthony Quinn, Nigel Andrews, Tim Robey, Peter Bradshaw, Wendy Ide, Matthew Pejkovic, John A Nesbit, Rich Cline, Tom Dawson, Rob Daniel, MPAA rating, transcendence, physical disability, culture clash, Himalayas, courage, determination, inspiration, achievement, human powers, gung-ho Americans, teacher, documentary filmmaking, breathtaking images, emotional pull, life-affirming, heartwarming, previously unrevealed insights, Tibetan culture
Worldwide gross: $366,247
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $504,491
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,739
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 55,015
US/Canada gross: $89,169
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $122,827
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,635
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,279
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $7,272
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,765
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $105,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $144,633
Production budget ranking: 2,138
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $77,885
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $281,973
ROI to date (est.): 127%
ROI ranking: 836
Jeff Evans – Self
Stefani Jackenthal – Self
Kami Tenzing Sherpa – Self
Sabriye Tenberken – Self
Ed Weihenmayer – Self
Lucy Walker – Director
Sybil Robson – Producer
Director(s)
Lucy Walker
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Sybil Robson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (1)
You wouldn’t believe it as fiction but it really is fairly unadorned fact. It is easy to see awards beckoning, and deservedly so because Walker as a film-maker never puts herself in front of her extraordinary subjects.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
How they managed the trek defies belief, but in an art-form where superpowers have become passé, it’s a stirring reminder of what human powers, against the odds, can achieve.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Lucy Walker’s documentary Blindsight is breathtaking twice over. It leaves the audience gasping like a landed guppy at views of snow-coddled Himalayan peaks under ice-blue skies.
August 8, 2008
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Lucy Walker’s documentary is genuinely stirring.
August 8, 2008
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Walker’s ending is fudged both in terms of the narrative and the issues, and she seems to come down, a little feebly, on the “heartwarming” side of things. But what an amazing, and bizarre, story.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A strikingly photographed documentary that unfolds into a story of human achievement and a study of the East-West culture clash.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Along with its strong emotional pull and engrossing personalities, Blindsight also features some breath taking images of the Himalayas, and some nerve wrecking scenes that would make those of us who are afraid of heights to start sweating bullets.
January 6, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Matthew Pejkovic
Matt’s Movie Reviews
memorable portrait of some truly courageous individuals and previously unrevealed insights to Tibetan culture
April 25, 2009 | Rating: B
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
An important, heart-soaring record of a group of incredibly brave people doing something almost everyone would tell them is impossible.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/5
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
The ascent reveals a fascinating clash of values between the more gung-ho Americans (who are determined to reach the top) and the youngsters’ remarkable teacher Sabriye Tenberken.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Dawson
Total Film
Lucy Walker’s inspirational, award-winning documentary, which leaves condescension and treacle out in the cold, emerging as one of the year’s most illuminating, heartbreaking, and life-affirming movies.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Rob Daniel
Sky Cinema
An accomplished work from documentarian Walker, who uses her battle-against-the odds story to illuminate how Tibetan society mistreats its blind citizens.
August 8, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Dawson
Film4…
Plot
Six blind Tibetan teenagers climb the Lhakpa-Ri peak of Mount Everest, led by seven-summit blind mountain-climber Erik Weihenmayer.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer is one of the climbers featured in the documentary Blindsight.
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