Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Jason Clarke, Naoko Mori, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Jake Gyllenhaal
Special Features: Race to the Summit: The Making of Everest, Aspiring to Authenticity: The Real Story, A Mountain of Work: Recreating Everest, Learning to Climb: The Actor’s Journey
Real-life recreations are most definitely in favour at the moment and human survival stories are always a smart choice, so can Everest climb the metaphorical mountain of interest? Well, it definitely gives us a strong, believable visual representation of the both the glory and misery of the mighty peak but, most importantly, presents its lead characters as real, every-day people, which is exactly who they were at the moment all that comes occurred.
The film follows two specific expeditions from the bottom to the top and although isn’t a exact real-telling of the 1996 climb, if you check out the special features after the film, as well as an obvious descriptive opening to the movie, then you’ll learn that this day happened. Our teams set out organised, ready to go and with experienced leadership but what they didn’t know is one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered were coming for them. It’s said in the movie ‘the mountain creates its own weather’, something I believe to be scientifically true, and so although you may question why any human would venture out into the white with such information up there in a completely different ecosystem, it’s not that simple when it’s something you love doing.
The main group led by New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke with another sterling performance), are our main focus of attention. Hall first popularised such climbs as this and has gathered an experienced group consisting of Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), Doug Hansen (John Hawkes) and Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly) – and they’re up against another team led by Jake Gyllenhaal’s bearded Scott Fischer. In an essence they’re racing to get up there first on the same date but, in truth, they all want to get there in one piece. This isn’t some ‘caution to the wind’ scenario because these events played out and the film makers are principled to the real moments that inspired the life taking and changing day, for all of them.
Director Baltasar Kormakur and his team have created an authentic and intense experience with Everest, while hugely experienced writers William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy give every character their own distinct personality, with individual goals. Saying that, the film isn’t specifically about what’s said because while we trust in each person, we’re very aware a time will come later when they’re tested beyond what could ever be expected by a human being at such extremes. It’s a strong cast working in tandem with a robust production crew creating a unique outcome.
There was probably a time when a film this big wouldn’t have been made. A true life inspired tale with as much loss as gain? Thankfully though it has and it’s so much more than your usual Hollywood fare. It’s about their lives and the sad reality merged with stunning visuals and because of all this Everest is a memorable, fitting tribute. Don’t forget to dig into the special features as it gets even more astonishing.
Everest is available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and digital download now.
