Beyond The Edge

Beyond The Edge was an interesting documentary about the first successful scaling of Mount Everest. Through re-enactments, archive footage and interviews, as well as interviews with the families- Beyond The Edge offers up a real experience of courage and perseverance by two men who conquered the odds in a time when the technology climbers today rely on were only prototypes. 

 

It was a bit confusing at first with the re-enactments popping on from time to time. I don’t recall there being a point where a small subtitle read “Dramatization”, and I don’t like to read the synopsis of a film just in case it takes away from the experience. That being said I scratched my head in regards to the full color, full sound capabilities of the equipment in the early 50’s being used. 

 

Once I went back for a second look at the film after really looking into it the fact remains, the story is amazing. Sir Edmund Hillary, though an experienced climber, was out of his depths at facing the challenge of scaling Everest with prototype equipment, equipment at the time which had not been created to withstand the perils of Everest, and often times bad timing and or bad luck. 

 

I liked how, even though the cover read’s Sir Edmund Hillary’s climb to the top of Everest, the documentary generously shares it’s time introducing Tenzing Norgay, Hillary’s Sherpa, and gives us a brief look at his life, ambitions, and how he handled himself while on the trek. It wasn’t just Hillary’s feat, but rather a partnership that allowed both men to stand atop the highest place in the world for the first time. 

 

There are no bonus features other then a trailer which was a bit of a let down. I feel like there could have been so much more story. What you get is pretty satisfying though. If you find interest in the topic I would highly suggest checking it out.