The Climb (1998)

In 1959's Baltimore, an energetic yet misunderstood twelve-year-old Danny Himes (Gregory Smith) finds himself wrestling with the shadows of a post-World War II society. His father, Earl (David Strathairn), bears the unjust label of a coward due to his absence from the war, a stigma Danny determinedly aims to shatter. In the midst of this struggle, the unlikely friendship between Danny and his elderly, irascible neighbor, Chuck Langer (Sir John Hurt), a former civic engineer, unfolds. Langer, a man rich with memories and wit, ignites Danny's imagination with fiery stories, while battling his own war against terminal cancer. Besieged by the snide remarks of his peers and the town's scorn for his father, Danny hatches a daring plan to conquer an old radio tower looming on the edge of town. This crumbling monument, slated for demolition, becomes Danny's personal Everest, a peak to summit to prove his courage. Langer, with his construction expertise and nothing left to prove, becomes his unlikely guide. Rigging an intricate system of pulleys and weights, Langer aids Danny in his defiant quest, while nurturing a secret wish for the courageous boy to assist him in his own final departure. Meanwhile, rivalries simmer and tensions mount within the community. An embittered Army veteran, armed with a rifle and a flask, stirs the pot, pushing Earl to confront his own demons. The culmination of these undercurrents of courage and cowardice, life and death, youth and age, crescendoes on a storm-wrought night, as Danny takes on his treacherous climb and the town confronts its own unspoken fears. In this stirring tale, "The Climb" explores the true definition of bravery, the complexity of manhood, and the unexpected bonds that can form amidst struggle and strife.

The Climb is a drama movie featuring John Hurt and directed by Bob Swaim.

The Climb is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy The Climb on Amazon Video.