Into the Thin Air of Everest - Mountain of Dreams, Mountain of Doom

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Movie Reviews of Into the Thin Air of Everest - Mountain of Dreams, Mountain of Doom

Movie Review: Fantastic Film
Summary: 5 Stars

Summary of Into the Thin Air of Everest - Mountain of Dreams, Mountain of Doom

Reaching five and a half miles into the sky, Mount Everest is a massive pyramid of intimidating rock, freezing cold and hurricane force winds. It towers above all other peaks and is the highest point on earth. Known as Chomolungma, Goddess Mother of the World, by the Sherpa people who live in its shadow, this awesome mountain has become the ultimate test of man's strength, endurance and will power. It is also deadly...for every five people who reach the summit, one dies trying. All who attempt its slopes risk their lives. Some survive in triumph, but many others never return from its icy heights.

This extraordinary collection is the definitive documentary of the history and mystery of Mount Everest.

Part I - "EVEREST: THE QUEST" includes the incredible stories of the early climbers, including George Leigh Mallory and Sir Edmund Hillary's legendary summit climb, and much more.

Part II - "EVEREST: TEMPTING FATE" explores the triumphant (and tragic) expeditions of the modern era and takes an in-depth view of the terrible events of 1996, the deadliest year in the history of Mount Everest (and the subject of the current bestselling book).

Part III - "THE CONQUEST OF EVEREST", is the thrilling Academy Award nominated best documentary about the 1953 British expedition that was the first to reach Mount Everest's summit.

EVEREST - Mountain of Dreams...Mountain of Doom takes viewers on the adventure of a lifetime and vividly captures the haunting beauty and constant danger of the most awesome mountain on earth.

From George Mallory to the 1996 tragedy, this series explores the major personalities and expeditions covering an 80-year span. Two faster-paced videos, Death on Everest and The Quest, are paired with the classic expedition documentary The Conquest of Everest, giving the series a great modern perspective with a good background of the history of the mountain. Those who know the mountain best tell the story of Everest: the guides, expedition leaders, and legends such as Sir Edmund Hillary.

As much as mountain climbing is the story of man against nature, there is also special attention paid to the science and equipment of high-mountain climbing. The demonstration of the technological advances in clothing and equipment that give the climbers a better chance to succeed, and sometimes to survive, is presented in contrast to the equipment of the pioneers who braved the mountain in clothes better suited to a stroll in the Scottish Highlands. The film also covers the major controversies in Everest's history--the questions that will never be answered, such as did Mallory make it to the top, and the questions that have no answers, such as whether the commercialization of Everest should be allowed.

The men, the women, the mountain, the dream, the nightmare, the quest, the conquest--all these are the stories told in Into the Thin Air of Everest. Among them are the heroes of Everest who made it and those who did not: Mallory, Hillary, Norgay, Hornbein, Unsoeld, Whittaker, Messner, Hoey. This documentary captures the timeless challenge of Everest: to stand on top of the world for no other reason than because it is there. --Aaron Abrams

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