Vertical Limit is a 2000 American survival thriller film directed by Martin Campbell, written by Robert King, and starring Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton, Robin Tunney, and Scott Glenn.

The film was released on December 8, 2000, in the United States by Columbia Pictures, receiving mixed reviews and grossed $215 million at the box office.

While rock climbing in Monument Valley, a freak accident puts adult siblings Peter and Annie, and their father Royce Garrett in a deadly situation.

Vaughn claims they were hit by a storm and Wick's wife died of pulmonary edema because her supply of dexamethasone (or "dex") was swept away.

Radio contact is lost, but Annie uses Morse code through static to signal that the trio are alive.

Wick finally discovers his wife's body and an empty dex container nearby suggests that Vaughn stole hers, ensuring his own survival while leaving her to die.

Annie and Vaughn mark the crevasse entrance by detonating a flare inside a bag of McLaren's blood, which explodes over the snow.

Recovering at base camp, Annie reconciles with Peter, who pays his respects at a makeshift memorial for climbers who have died on mountain.

[5] In March 1998, Roger Spottiswoode was signed to direct the film with TriStar Pictures committed to financing and distributing.

[citation needed] Bell 212 helicopters contracted from Hevilift Australia were painted in a khaki green colour to represent the Pakistani Army.

1 during its opening day, December 8, earning an estimated $5.1 million, overtaking How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which had stayed since November 17.

[11] Roger Ebert gave the film three stars out of four, commenting, "It's made from obvious formulas and pulp novel conflicts, but strongly acted and well crafted... "Vertical Limit" delivers with efficiency and craft, and there are times, when the characters are dangling over a drop of a mile, when we don't even mind how it's manipulating us.

The first is an isolated army post on a mountain peak from which ill-equipped Pakistani soldiers fire an artillery barrage every afternoon in the direction of India as an absurd daily ritual.

[14] David Ansen of Newsweek wrote, ""Vertical Limit" produces a decidedly split reaction in an audience.

By that point, the gasps have become muted by sheer disbelief... Alternately generating adrenaline and ennui, "Vertical Limit" battles itself to a hard-earned draw.