Ascent (1996)

  • Rated Not Rated
  • 1hr 36m

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Movie Info & Cast

Release Date:

Sep 4, 1996

Runtime:

1hr 36m

Synopsis

The most notable thing about this Italian drama, set in British East Africa (Kenya) during WW II, is it's scenery. It follows the factual adventure of an Italian POW, Franco Distassi, interred in a British camp run by African subjects. The camp is close to Mount Kenya, one of the most challenging peaks for mountain-climbers. The chief officer, Major David Farrell, a recent widower and unambitious officer, wants to climb Mount Kenya. He is also interested in a lovely local widow. He has failed in his attempts for both the mountain and the woman. POWs Franco Distassi challenges Maj. Farrell to a climb. He and a partner, Enzo, create a plan, which may involve an escape, to place the Italian flag at the summit and then sneak back to camp. Franco dislikes the notion of planting the flag, but persists in the endeavor after Enzo must quit. He is pursued by the enraged and envious Major.~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Letterboxd User Reviews

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RATINGS N/A FANS
  • Sep 1, 2026

    Not great. The romance angle was ham fisted and the woman character was written terribly. The prison in general blows and as a compelling place of inspiration for the writers to work with, they mostly botch it. There's some decent cinematography and lighting and I liked the…

    6 Likes
    Cusackedev
    Cusackedev
    Aug 23, 2023

    Just realized this is not The Ascent I meant to watch... Pretty cliche, bad acting, uninspiring, but charming I guess. A man who climbs alone climbs for the wrong reasons.

    2 Likes
    nerve_terminal
    nerve_terminal
    Aug 6, 2025

    Boring and problematic

    1 Likes
    overthetrent
    overthetrent
  • Oct 17, 2024

    rw 2024

    1 Likes
    Delia
    Delia
    Jul 3, 2024

    (PG) Based on the true story of Franco (Spano), a WWII Italian POW who’s held in a camp in Africa. The prisoners enjoy making fun of the camp commander (Cross), who consistently fails at his attempts to climb the 15,500 peak of Mt. Kenya. Meanwhile, Franco decides to escape…

    0 Likes
    VideoHound
    VideoHound
    Jun 11, 2024

    This movie was righteous in its own way. One small step for man one giant step for mankind.

    0 Likes
    BmosBinge
    BmosBinge
  •
    Oct 28, 2023

    Not the worst thing i've seen. Just incredibly uneventfull.

    0 Likes
    Tchevieira
    Tchevieira
    Dec 28, 2022

    Hoary Hallmark POW camp drama set in a British camp in Kenya where an Italian POW (Spano) escapes, pursued by Ben Cross as a British commander. Features a mostly amateur cast aside from the four stars, as well as faux-BBC radio broadcasts.

    0 Likes
    Delia
    Delia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Ascent (1996) (1996)?
The movie is 1hr 36min long.
What's Ascent (1996) (1996) about?
The most notable thing about this Italian drama, set in British East Africa (Kenya) during WW II, is it's scenery. It follows the factual adventure of an Italian POW, Franco Distassi, interred in a British camp run by African subjects. The camp is close to Mount Kenya, one of the most challenging peaks for mountain-climbers. The chief officer, Major David Farrell, a recent widower and unambitious officer, wants to climb Mount Kenya. He is also interested in a lovely local widow. He has failed in his attempts for both the mountain and the woman. POWs Franco Distassi challenges Maj. Farrell to a climb. He and a partner, Enzo, create a plan, which may involve an escape, to place the Italian flag at the summit and then sneak back to camp. Franco dislikes the notion of planting the flag, but persists in the endeavor after Enzo must quit. He is pursued by the enraged and envious Major.~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide