Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

A Crack in the Mountain

Play trailer Poster for A Crack in the Mountain 2022 1h 40m Documentary Nature Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
A Crack In The Mountain is a feature length documentary film which tells the story of the world’s largest cave. Hang Son Doong which translates as "mountain river cave", is located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province in Vietnam. The national park is also a UNESCO world heritage site. First found in 1990 by a local farmer, it wasn't explored until 2009 when a British expedition team rigged ropes and descended down. Many people have described Son Doong as a lost world. It has its own lake, jungle and even a unique weather system. In 2014 plans were announced to build a cable car into Son Doong. With many arguing that this would destroy the cave's delicate eco-system and the local community divided over the benefits this development would bring, the film follows those caught up in the unfolding events. The documentary also uses the narrative as a lens through which to investigate related themes such as the challenges of modern day exploration, environmental conservation and sustainability, and the perils of operating as an activist in a country such as Vietnam where freedom of speech is severely curtailed.

Critics Reviews

View More
Wendy Ide Observer (UK) 05/28/2023
3/5
This well-meaning documentary sounds an ecological alarm, but rather ties itself up in knots exploring the issue. Go to Full Review Beth Webb Empire Magazine 05/26/2023
3/5
An often-stunning glimpse at a true natural wonder, that finds its voice through the local people fighting for and against its monetisation. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 05/26/2023
2/5
The cumulative impact, alas, is not passionate engagement but a mild shrug of bafflement. Go to Full Review Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) 05/26/2023
Once the film has covered the basic details, however, all it can do is rehash a familiar debate: conserving nature versus bringing money to a poor area. Go to Full Review Alistair Harkness Scotsman 05/24/2023
4/5
A Crack in the Mountain does a fantastic job of both capturing the majesty of the place itself and delving into the knotty issues surrounding its ongoing development. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
A Crack in the Mountain

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Alastair Evans

Director

Alastair Evans

Writer

Alastair Evans

Producer

Ryan Deboodt

Cinematographer

Alastair Evans

Cinematographer

Alastair Evans

Film Editing

More Like This

View All
Bad River 100% 100% Bad River Watchlist TRAILER for Bad River Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West 91% 97% Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West Watchlist Every Little Thing 95% 98% Every Little Thing Watchlist TRAILER for Every Little Thing Nocturnes 93% % Nocturnes Watchlist Sea Lions of the Galapagos % % Sea Lions of the Galapagos Watchlist TRAILER for Sea Lions of the Galapagos Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

A Crack in the Mountain

A Crack in the Mountain (2022) A Crack in the Mountain (2022) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A Crack In The Mountain is a feature length documentary film which tells the story of the world’s largest cave. Hang Son Doong which translates as "mountain river cave", is located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province in Vietnam. The national park is also a UNESCO world heritage site. First found in 1990 by a local farmer, it wasn't explored until 2009 when a British expedition team rigged ropes and descended down. Many people have described Son Doong as a lost world. It has its own lake, jungle and even a unique weather system. In 2014 plans were announced to build a cable car into Son Doong. With many arguing that this would destroy the cave's delicate eco-system and the local community divided over the benefits this development would bring, the film follows those caught up in the unfolding events. The documentary also uses the narrative as a lens through which to investigate related themes such as the challenges of modern day exploration, environmental conservation and sustainability, and the perils of operating as an activist in a country such as Vietnam where freedom of speech is severely curtailed.
Director
Alastair Evans
Producer
Alastair Evans
Screenwriter
Alastair Evans
Distributor
OVID
Production Co
Marlovski Media
Genre
Documentary, Nature
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 9, 2025
Runtime
1h 40m