In 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man to reach the summit of Mount Everest.  Touch The Top Of The World is the story of how and why he did it.

Starting out with Erik (played by Peter Facinelli) and his friends already climbing Mount Everest, Touch The Top Of The World sets the stakes early with a scene of Erik trying to cross a rickety ladder that’s been laid across a mountain chasm.  With every step, the ladder shakes and, of course, Erik can’t see where to place his feet.  He’s having to do it on instinct and also by listening to the instructions shouted by his friends.  Later, someone say that, of those who have tried to climb Mount Everest, one in six died in the attempt.  Now imagine trying to do it without being able to see where you’re going.  I wouldn’t have the courage but Erik is determined to show what can be accomplished through determination and teamwork.  Erik isn’t just climbing for himself.  He’s climbing for disabled people everywhere.

Flashbacks show how Erik was born with a degenerative eye disease that caused him to go blind when he was a child.  His mother (Kate Greenhouse) and father (Bruce Campbell) never stop believing in him and, after his mother is killed in a car accident, Erik becomes determined to live up to her faith in him.  He becomes a high school wrestler and then a teacher and eventually a climber.

Peter Facinelli gives a good performance as Erik but I know most people will probably be watching because Bruce Campbell plays his father.  Bruce Campbell is great in the role, always supporting Erik and encouraging him to never give up.  He’s the perfect father figure.  He may not be able to climb Mt. Everest with his son but he’s still with Erik every step of the way.

Touch The Top Of The World was made for television and it has its moment when the sentiment is poured on pretty thick.  I was worried when I saw that “Includes Music By The Dave Matthews Band!” on the cover of the DVD.  Ultimately, it didn’t matter.  It’s such a wholesome and heartfelt movie that it’s impossible not to get caught up in Erik’s mission to touch the top of the world.