Don Whillans - Myth and Legend

The story

Don Whillans was one of the leading rock climbers of his generation. This film examines Don’s gritstone horrors, his hard routes in Wales, then follows him to the Alps and beyond on several of his epic expeditions. But it also focuses on Don’s unique humor, his devastating oneliners that pricked pomposity wherever he found it and poked fun at those who deserved it. Don may have died 20 years ago but the myth surrounding Whillans can still be heard whenever climbers reminisce about a time when hard men were hard and legends were being made. Perhaps his partner Joe Brown best sums him up, 'Don was unique'.

Cast

I Ian CloughSelf R Reinhold MessnerSelf P Peter HabelerSelf N Norman DyhrenfurthSelf E Eric JonesSelf D Dougal HastonSelf C Cliff PhillipsSelf M Michel VaucherSelf C Chris BoningtonSelf J Joe BrownSelf M Martin BoysenSelf H Hans Peter TrachselSelf

See more cast

M Murray SayleSelf Y Yvette VaucherSelf M Mick CoffeySelf M Marcus TaylorSelf J John StreetlySelf E Elizabeth HawleySelf D Derek WalkerSelf D Dave PetersonSelf B Barry PageSelf P Paul TwomeySelf D Don WhillansSelf (related character) I Ian McNaught-DavisNarrator