THE REAL THING 25 YEARS LATER

25 years ago, in 1996, I teamed up with my friend and climbing partner Jerry Moffatt and film maker Simon Tucker, to make the first feature length bouldering movie The Real Thing. At the time I was 30 years old and a professional climber, and had been climbing full-time since leaving school at 16. The sport of rock climbing had seen massive changes in that time and the changes weren’t about to stop any time soon. One of the biggest changes that was about to happen was that bouldering would become an end in itself and that 100s of 1000s of people would only boulder, and that a large majority of these would only boulder indoors in huge, purpose-built bouldering gyms all over the world.
At the time that we made The Real Thing both Jerry and I had been bouldering extensively both indoors and outdoors, home and away, for many years, but it was mainly as a form of training for sport climbing. We both loved climbing and had pretty much dedicated our lives to it, and we wanted to make a film that conveyed what made climbing so special to us. Climbing, for me, is far more than just a sport and we both felt that bouldering was climbing distilled. We felt that a film about a road trip to Fontainebleau, the Mecca of bouldering, would be the perfect vehicle to convey what we felt was so special about climbing.
The Real Thing 25 years on is a short documentary that looks back at the making of the original bouldering movie. I hope you enjoy both films

[@REELROCK1]

Such an influential moment for climbing films and culture, thanks for the revisit!

[@Route_2_V11]

this reminds me of trainspotting, kinda got the same 90's vibe to it.

[@TourDeBloc]

This movie still gets me psyched after all these years!

[@peterjohnson2245]

Just bem ripping the original VHS to my PC, so good to watch again, id moved to Sheff in 96 so The Real Thing was cutting edge back there. I got most of the sound track too for when I was DJing and mates would come. Great the see this follow up

[@fatneck76]

That soundtrack!!!!!

[@MarcinZwir]

The best bouldering movie ever made!

[@pumpkini586]

Amen!

[@tristanparrish7350]

I love how you kept the old electronic style music. This was awesome

[@pinot7914]

Still has the VHS! Love it.....Such an influence on me! Was in Bleau more than 50 times.....once 3 months....after a shoulder injury I had to stop😢.....Miss it so much

[@richardbradley1532]

I had the VHS. no longer sadly but still a great fun film.

[@llovebeats3749]

The burnouts werent childish, they were awesome.

[@jeremylane4136]

Daewon VS Rodney reference, yes!

[@ploglet]

Still watch this video to this day. The scenes are so perfect around a climbing trips with your friends. Best video out there.

[@mlkdfs]

I wish more people approached climbing videos like that.Most of climbing content nowadays really lacks creativity.

[@tombuckett1574]

The first song is a class track. The Man With No Name remix (artist of the second song/training scene music) is also a banger.

[@epm8805]

I watched this film so many times when it came out - loved it! I also bouldered with Marc a few times in Font - what an amazingly precise and controlled climber - unreal. Please tell me you've still got the cars!?

[@tombuckett1574]

Jerry's Lancia delta HF integrale 😍

[@leeevans6213]

Both cars mega bucks now adays as well. Seen this millions of times love the music in it and all the messing about as that was we was all doing .

[@matthewsevers5862]

Man, I’m embarrassed to say this just made so many problem names in Leavenworth, WA makes sense. And I’ve seen the real thing, it just never clicked until now.

[@nopro_films]

I watched The Real Thing about 3 years ago ad I was mind blown! It changed my way to think about filming bouldering, and I always think about it when it comes to film some climbing action and the fun behind it! thanks for making such an ispirational masterpiece!!

[@campbellgodfrey53]

Triple figure viewing for sure....my first visit started going wonky it got played so much....and the soundtrack? Cor....soooo good!!!!

[@daraghfinnegan]

I think first tune is Shöenberg by Marmion. Can't place the second tune. Techno and hard trance were such an important part of the early bouldering scene in Europe especially in Sheffield. So fortunate to have been able to go to massive raves with my climbing mates.

[@nicolasbordier1275]

may be ...art of trance's octopus? the man with no name remx.Platipus recs(definately one of the biggest label at the time)Anyway this is one f... of a tune!!!! pre-goa stuff

[@peterjohnson2245]

Correct, i got quite a few. (pausing the video to find the track names) so I could play them when climbing mates came to where i was DJing back the

[@joak244]

Man the Real thing was so fucking rad. Love the music

[@paulmitchell5349]

Buster's addition to the Tor is a worthy stablemate to Evolution and Hubble.

[@pauldavies5541]

You did a few doughnuts, relax and enjoy!

[@henryjb1572]

Sheffield Culture x

[@henryjb1572]

Raver gone climber - the real thing fits the bill x

[@jasonsterner922]

So cool, thanks guys!!!!! love it!!!!

[@muniorodilares6717]

La mejor película de escalada con escaladores increíbles, musicón y dos carracos para la eternidad. Un verdadero icono

[@fredericohsilva]

Such an influence in the growth and development of bouldering. along with Rampage (four years later) it got me into bouldering as full time activity.

[@grisodyne]

There must be so much more footage of Ben and Jerry bouldering in Font. Give us the real Christmas and show us a few extra minutes :)

[@stuartwilson9147]

Damn that kicked ass, very well done. The short haired dude knows what’s up when comparing The Real Thing to a 90s skate film and how the new breed might not understand, just different times! Wish Jerry was in it. Also, no pads and a film budget will make you try harder. Rip Kurt Albert.

[@aidanscarffe5256]

Love this

[@sirlockoff]

top3 climbing movies!!

[@monoculturefilms5868]

Damn, we need to bring punk back into climbing films!!!

[@antoinehalik]

definitely!!! Take a look at H20 "what happened to the passion" clip. I love it!!!

[@Josh-wb7ii]

What do you mean punk? The whole film is backed by techno.

[@hanneshuch8965]

Don't feel guilty for the donuts in Isatis, Ben! ✌️, Hannes

[@parkerramthun]

Anyone notice how Sean Myles is like an older Shawn raboutou? Lol

[@daveparry9928]

Knockout stuff. HORSES BEN!

[@carlieclimbs]

Where is Jerry?

[@ofizzy]

"like a 90s skate movie" great comparison!

[@antoinehalik]

Currently I'm reading Jerry's Moffatt "Revelations". F**k me I almost regret I've been born 15 years later 🤭😜

[@dddon513]

Ben has barely aged. Jerry.... Er...