NEVER LET GO.
In May 1996, several teams are trying to reach the Mount Everest summit, but they are not prepared for a blizzard that will test them severely. A film that draws inspiration from several sources, including journalist Jon Krakauer who was there during one of the deadliest Everest seasons ever and lived to write a book about it. Very impressively staged and filmed, at actual locations and in a studio, with eye-popping 3D visuals that emphasize the terrifying experience. Good cast, with an engaging lead performance by Jason Clarke as a seasoned climber, but the drama never reaches truly soaring heights.
2015-Britain-U.S. 121 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur. Screenplay: William Nicholson, Simon Beaufoy. Cinematography: Salvatore Totino. Music: Dario Marianelli. Cast: Jason Clarke (Rob Hall), Jake Gyllenhaal (Scott Fischer), Josh Brolin (Beck Weathers), John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Robin Wright… Keira Knightley, Emily Watson.
Trivia: Christian Bale was allegedly first cast, but dropped out.
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.
Working 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!