Film No. 64 (2015) September 8th. 6.30 PM GREATER UNION Innaloo
"1 in 4 people who summit Mount Everest die". (The amazing statistic which flashes in bold white letters immediately prior to the opening of this film).
Into Thin Air written by Jon Krakauer is one of the most riveting non fiction adventure stories I have ever read. A brilliant journalist who wrote exclusively for Outdoor magazine, Krakauer was in the infamous party lead by one of Everest's most successful conquerors, Rob Hall in 1996; the expedition which saw 8 people die on the slopes. Rob Hall was one of those eight. Everest is the film of that expedition.
On seeing the poster and knowing that this film was to bring that expedition to life I was immediately skeptical. There is a Hollywood blockbuster disaster look to the marketing of Everest. This approach would never do justice to Krakauer's story so luckily, despite the marketing, it's not the approach they have used. Everest is a moving and fitting tribute to those who never returned and to their families who continue to struggle with their loss. In particular those who knew the much loved Rob Hall.
In the late eighties and nineties Everest had become the ultimate challenge for mere mortals who weren't necessarily climbers but who were of the A type personality, neededing a challenge. The fact that 1 in 4 died, usually on the descent, meant an organized approach was needed. Rob Hall (NZ) and Scott Fischer (US) became guides, setting up competing businesses, whereby for a fee of around $65,000 climbers could be escorted up and down the mountain. Their aim was to continue to pursue their passion and ultimately improve safety for climbers. This tragic account depicts events which lead to Hall and Fischer's demise.
In the hands of the talented Kormaker (Birdman and Gravity) this film soars. His actors respond with real performances; in particular Jason Clarke (Hall), Emily Watson (Wilton) and Kiera Knightley (Hall's Wife) as authentic New Zealanders. The depiction of Everest and the bleak surrounds (with the assistance of 3D glasses) kept the audience on edge. This expedition was shrouded in controversy based on Krakauer's account of events. To it's credit the film doesn't take sides. It is simply a gripping adventure based on a true event. 9GUMS.
I applaud Working Title for breaking new ground and not sticking to the 'Into Thin Air' version of the 1996 Everest tragedy, which is maybe why this book is not in this film's Credits, something that has not gone unnoticed by some professional reviewers.
ReplyDeleteWorking Title/the Director referred to Jon Krakauer as 'a writer who just happened to be on the mountain at the time'. To learn more about what actually caused this seminal event you will need to read 'A Day to Die For' and 'After the Wind'. Well done Working Title and Baltasar Kormakur for daring to break the mold!
I applaud Working Title for breaking new ground and not sticking to the 'Into Thin Air' version of the 1996 Everest tragedy, which is maybe why this book is not in this film's Credits, something that has not gone unnoticed by some professional reviewers.
ReplyDeleteWorking Title/the Director referred to Jon Krakauer as 'a writer who just happened to be on the mountain at the time'. To learn more about what actually caused this seminal event you will need to read 'A Day to Die For' and 'After the Wind'. Well done Working Title and Baltasar Kormakur for daring to break the mold!