News Article

Darlow Smithson Productions has been commissioned by Channel 4 in the U.K. to produce The Beckoning Silence, a 90-minute drama-documentary special based on mountain climber Joe Simpson’s best-selling book of the same name.

The Beckoning Silence is due for delivery this August. Filmed in HD, it is being produced and directed by Louise Osmond, award-winning director of Darlow Smithson’s latest theatrical documentary, Deep Water.

The film, a follow-up to Darlow Smithson’s BAFTA-award-winning Touching the Void, follows Simpson’s journey to the treacherous North face of the Eiger; the notorious mountain that has killed more than 60 climbers and has fascinated him since he was a boy. There he confronts the growing doubts and fears he has as a climber reaching the end of his career and in the process, unravels a tragedy that unfolded on the mountain in the 1930s—one that has eerie parallels with his own horrific accident in the Peruvian Andes. Filming on the North face of the Eiger began two days ago. Distribution will he handled by Channel 4 International.

John Smithson, the chief creative director of Darlow Smithson Productions, noted: “Joe Simpson is an extraordinary man who has experienced unimaginable challenges, achievements and tragedy. Touching The Void, will inevitably be a tough act to follow, but we are delighted to continue to work with Joe who is a fantastic storyteller and brings to life the remarkable stories he experiences. As always, our ambition with The Beckoning Silence is to produce a visually stunning, emotive and inspiring documentary.”