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7 Must Watch Mountaineering Films

3 April 2020
7 Must Watch Mountaineering Films

Armchair mountaineering has been a popular sport for many decades, usually, one taken up by those who have found themselves laid up with injury, ill-health or even old age. 

Interestingly, the current situation has seen a significant rise in the sport or armchair mountaineering so we thought we would put together some of our favourite mountaineering films to help you conquer this gruelling sport with grit and grace.


Meru

  • Runtime: 1h 30min
  • Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
  • Available to purchase on: Amazon

In the high stakes game of big-wall climbing, Mount Meru may be the ultimate prize. When Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk attempted the 21,000ft climb the suffered set back after set back. Beaten back when the summit is in sight, heartbroken and totally defeated, they face up to some extraordinary challenges that makes Meru a unique story of friendship, sacrifice, hope and obsession.

  • Runtime: 1h 30min
  • Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
  • Available to purchase on: Amazon

In the high stakes game of big-wall climbing, Mount Meru may be the ultimate prize. When Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk attempted the 21,000ft climb the suffered set back after set back. Beaten back when the summit is in sight, heartbroken and totally defeated, they face up to some extraordinary challenges that makes Meru a unique story of friendship, sacrifice, hope and obsession.


Mountain

  • Runtime: 1h 13min
  • Director: Jennifer Peedom
  • Available to watch on: iTunes

A unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom, Mountain is a dazzling exploration of our obsession with mountains. Only three centuries ago, climbing a mountain would have been considered close to lunacy. The idea scarcely existed that wild landscapes might hold any sort of attraction. Peaks were places of peril, not beauty. Why, then, are we now drawn to mountains in our millions? Mountain shows us the spellbinding force of high places - and their ongoing power to shape our lives and our dreams.

  • Runtime: 1h 13min
  • Director: Jennifer Peedom
  • Available to watch on: iTunes

A unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom, Mountain is a dazzling exploration of our obsession with mountains. Only three centuries ago, climbing a mountain would have been considered close to lunacy. The idea scarcely existed that wild landscapes might hold any sort of attraction. Peaks were places of peril, not beauty. Why, then, are we now drawn to mountains in our millions? Mountain shows us the spellbinding force of high places - and their ongoing power to shape our lives and our dreams.


Beyond The Edge

  • Runtime: 1hr 30min
  • Director: Leanne Pooley
  • Available to watch on: Amazon

A docudrama about Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary's historical ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. As well as featuring dramatised recreations shot on location on Everest and in New Zealand, the film includes original footage and photographs from what was then the ninth British expedition to the mountain. It also includes audio from interviews with Hillary and recorded narration by expedition leader John Hunt.

  • Runtime: 1hr 30min
  • Director: Leanne Pooley
  • Available to watch on: Amazon

A docudrama about Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary's historical ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. As well as featuring dramatised recreations shot on location on Everest and in New Zealand, the film includes original footage and photographs from what was then the ninth British expedition to the mountain. It also includes audio from interviews with Hillary and recorded narration by expedition leader John Hunt.


Everest

  • Runtime: 2hrs 1min
  • Director: Baltasar Kormákur
  • Available to watch on: Google Play

Based on the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Everest focuses on the survival attempts of two expedition groups, one led by Rob Hall and the other by Scott Fischer.

  • Runtime: 2hrs 1min
  • Director: Baltasar Kormákur
  • Available to watch on: Google Play

Based on the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Everest focuses on the survival attempts of two expedition groups, one led by Rob Hall and the other by Scott Fischer.


Sherpa

  • Runtime: 1h 35min
  • Director: Jennifer Peedom
  • Available to watch on: Amazon Prime

Determined to explore the reason behind ever-increasing tensions between Sherpas and mountaineers, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas' point of view. Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on 18th April 2014, a 14,000 ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. One of the worst tragedies in the history of Everest.

  • Runtime: 1h 35min
  • Director: Jennifer Peedom
  • Available to watch on: Amazon Prime

Determined to explore the reason behind ever-increasing tensions between Sherpas and mountaineers, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas' point of view. Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on 18th April 2014, a 14,000 ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. One of the worst tragedies in the history of Everest.


K2: Beyond The Comfort Zone

  • Runtime: 1h 30min
  • Director: Nils Krebs
  • Available to watch on: Amazon Prime

The impossible only exists until we find a way to make it possible." Mike Horn is one of the most respected adventurers in the world. Together with his climbing partners, Fred Roux and Köbi Reichen, he travels through 13 countries in an attempt to get on top of the most difficult mountain in the world. Immersing into different cultures and breathtaking landscapes, the three explorers get closer to their dream of climbing K2.

  • Runtime: 1h 30min
  • Director: Nils Krebs
  • Available to watch on: Amazon Prime

The impossible only exists until we find a way to make it possible." Mike Horn is one of the most respected adventurers in the world. Together with his climbing partners, Fred Roux and Köbi Reichen, he travels through 13 countries in an attempt to get on top of the most difficult mountain in the world. Immersing into different cultures and breathtaking landscapes, the three explorers get closer to their dream of climbing K2.


47 Below

  • Runtime: 51min
  • Director:  Jason Markland
  • Available to watch on: Amazon

47 Below is the astonishing true storey of how Australian Geoff Wilson boldly embarked on a solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica. The experts gave him no chance of success - all saying that it was an impossible challenge for a rookie adventurer.

  • Runtime: 51min
  • Director: Jason Markland
  • Available to watch on: Amazon

47 Below is the astonishing true storey of how Australian Geoff Wilson boldly embarked on a solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica. The experts gave him no chance of success - all saying that it was an impossible challenge for a rookie adventurer.

About the Author:

Charlotte Fish - Outdoor Expert

Charlotte discovered her passion for the outdoors in her early teens and has never looked back since. Her pursuit of outdoor activities has taken her all over the world but she truly believes there is no place like home.


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