‘Everest – is the most dangerous place on earth.’
The events of May 1996 have been told and retold through biography, photography and documentary. September 2015 saw the release of Baltasar Kormákur’s directorial retelling of a team of climbers in their attempt to conquer the highest peak in the world. Amongst its cast are Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley and Robin Wright, but it is Everest itself that maintains centre stage. Visually impressive and engrossing, the film clearly displays human approaches to creation, beauty and achievement.
Commercial expeditions
The film quickly conveys the frenzy caused by the rise of commercial expeditions to the summit, with Jason Clarke playing Rob Hall, the founder of Adventure Consultants, and Jake Gyllenhaal playing Scott Fischer, the founder of Mountain Madness. These guided expeditions offered amateur climbers the equipment and expertise they would require to achieve the extraordinary task of reaching the top of Everest – and returning home from it. Depicting vastly differing approaches, the first obvious contrast is in the leadership styles of Hall and Fischer. Hall is diligent, conscientious and self-sacrificial, while Fischer takes a more relaxed approach, frequently drunk and lacking respect for the terrible magnificence of the mountain.
