An apparatus and method for opening a door (48) from a remote location including a lever assembly (20) and a pulling line (22), the pulling line (22) having attached thereto a door handle engagement (60), the lever assembly (20) including at least a first guide (40) and a second guide (42) for guiding the pulling line (22) and a mounting apparatus (24) for mounting the lever assembly (20) to or adjacent a door (48), the first and second guides (40,42) being positioned such that when the pulling line (22) is prevented from moving through the first guide (40), pulling on the pulling line (22) acts to cause the lever assembly (20) to apply a force to urge the door to open (48). This apparatus allows an operator to gradually open a door or to apply a suitable force if, for example, the door (48) is stuck in the closed position.