The Crash Reel

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The Crash Reel

2013

1h 49m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffers a traumatic brain injury while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics. His family stands by his side as he struggles through rehab, but they object when he expresses his desire to return to his favorite sport.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, compassionate, and moving, The Crash Reel uses the familiar sport-doc formula to subvert expectations and ask challenging questions about ambition and achievement.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

Sep 6, 2017

3/5

The only problem is that, with so much fascinating material to cover, The Crash Reel skips over half of it.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Dec 22, 2013

4/5

Jawdropping and jawbreaking stunts performed by professional snowboarders open Lucy Walker's latest documentary, but it is the aftermath of accidents that form the powerfully disturbing core of the film.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Dec 22, 2013

4/5

Lucy Walker's documentary is exhilarating and grim viewing.

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics (Substack)

May 30, 2014

4/5

Walker's most fine-tuned character-driven documentary yet.

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Dan Schindel

Movie Mezzanine

Feb 5, 2014

B

The Crash Reel is an affecting reminder of how suddenly circumstances can turn on us. But it's also an inspiring look at how we can deal with even the most hobbling bad luck.

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Jan 31, 2014

B+

Lucy Walker makes a multi-faceted documentary that deals with the demands on Olympic-level athletes to excel at their chosen sport.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 7, 2025

Real footage in 1 hour and 49 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dec 18, 2019

This was a really well put documentary. They use the perfect clips to really show how big of a deal it was. It's crazy to see his journey and I just think every school should watch it. I originally thought documentaries were really boring but this one has proven its worth. #I ride with Kevin

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Nov 2, 2018

Poignant truths of sports life.

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bill k

@Koolbill Oct 21, 2017

This is one of the finest documentaries on narcissism in sports, redemption, famial support and self-realization that I have ever watched. Kevin Pearce turns out to be a truly remarkable human being. The heartbreak that his family suffered through Kevin's unrelenting egotism almost broke them apart. In the end, there was forgiveness and resolution. This is a very moving account well worth a watch.

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Jan 7, 2017

Definitly the best documentary I've ever watched!

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mario g

@RT38912111 Oct 2, 2016

Excelente documental.

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Lucy Walker

Director

Kevin Pearce

Self

Shaun White

Self

Mason Aguirre

Self

Dr. Daniel Amen

Self

Sarah Burke

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Synopsis

Snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffers a traumatic brain injury while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics. His family stands by his side as he struggles through rehab, but they object when he expresses his desire to return to his favorite sport.

Director: Lucy Walker
Producer: Julian Cautherley, Lucy Walker
Distributor: Phase 4 Films
Production Co: Tree Tree Tree
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 13, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2014
Runtime: 1h 49m

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