Broad Peak

A "lite" version of the ascent of Broad Peak by Polish high altitude mountaineer Maciej Berbeka. The story is not too bad, but predictable. Similar movies like EVEREST are more gripping with better editing.

That said, this movie holds its place based on true events. It's so important in this sport to know your limits, to know when to let go and to never let ego take control.

The breathtaking mountain climbing shots - especially when they pan out and show you where the climbers are in relation to the size of the mountain - is terrifying - how they get up these sheer ice faces is just amazing. I found most of the film very gripping and my only issue is that the time lag between the first attempt to climb Broad Peak and the second attempt is supposed to be 25 years later. This length of time seems more like a few years as all you see the main character doing is some joinery and giving some school talks etc. Plus he and his wife look no different 25 years later. I had to go and check that it really was 25 years later. Just a quibble though.

Very little coverage of an actual Broad Peak expedition - the main reason ( in my opinion) most people actually watch movies about high mountaineering. Film focuses only on one member of an expedition, three other climbers hardly mentioned, like they didn't even matter at all. That's very disappointing and disrespectful.

No interesting characters and storyline. Very unnecessary sex scene that didn't bring anything to the table.

Film doesn't explain at all, what actually occurred on the mountain, what lead to the tragedy and what was the aftermath.

Beautiful shots of the mountains is the only thing in favor for the movie.

Such an inspiring film of courage and perseverance. It's well shot and heartbreaking to know the story but well worth it. Humans ! Well made and a story worth telling. He lost everything the first time and for 17 mts had to go back and lost his life. I am speechless! Only curious as to how did the team know he didn't make it to the top when they weren't there and that it was exact 17 mts. Would love to understand that. What a team tough. The movie captures it subtly but well. The mountains are exceptionally beautiful and who wouldn't feel the desire to go ! I wish I could. Film is very well shot.

No matter the subject - most Polish movies are like that - long silent scenes. Marriage scene - long silent scenes. Thriller to be, showing survival - long silent scenes.

Althought the story is quite simple, is is all messed up and made complicated (it usually is in Polish movies).

Poorly chosen music. Even when orchestral, which is surprising... Years are passing, new creators are coming and Polish movies remain the same.

They are simply boring and hard to watch.

On top of that (but this is a problem only for Polish watchers), again, like in every Polish movie, you can't hear or understand what they are saying. So I turn the volume up and up and up and then music scenes make my walls shake. Each and every time the same.