A Conquista do Everest

To know more about Griffith Pugh, the scientist who helped make the successful summit of Everest possible, read "Everest, The First Summit," written by his daughter, Harriet Tuckey. Not only will you learn about the science involved in studying physiology and the use of oxygen, you will also learn a lot about the psychology and personality of the men who participated in the historic 1953 climb.

Another great resource is the book by Wade Davis, "Into the Silence,The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest."

The mistakes made because of unwillingness to accept new ideas and scientific resources resulted in many failed attempts and deaths in the early attempts to climb Everest. This book is a GREAT history book and psychological review of the men involved.

So we all remember the names of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay but for me, the plaudits here have to go to the expedition cinematographer George Lowe who manages to colourfully capture in considerable detail the treacherous and perilous journey they all undertook in 1953 to become the first people to top Mount Everest. The narrative takes us from the planning stages in London that built upon the previous (failed) attempts at this summit. Then they must work the logistics - how to get tonnes of essential supplies to base camps as high up as any European mountains are at their peaks. The lack of oxygen, relentless winds and the crippling cold are again well photographed as I found myself looking for a cardigan to settle down to the latter stages as the hostility of this avalanche-prone symbol of the power of nature kicked in and it started to tire of it's gadfly visitors taking shelter in the flimsiest of tents whilst eating freeze-dried food that would make a modern day "Pot Noodle" look like à la carte dining! Meredith Edwards' narration and Arthur Benjamin's rousing score also contribute well to add to the sense of true adventure and although we start this film celebrating the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II with some spoiler newspaper deadlines, the production still manages to inject some jeopardy into the trek. Over seventy years later, this film still shows off a sense of the dedication and commitment of men climbing it because, well, "because it is there".

Many climbers have made to the top of Mt. Everest; many with fantastic video or film. What makes this film truly extraordinary is:

* This was a 1953 expedition. No one had been close to the summit; much was unknown. They had to laboriously create the path and lay the ropes&ladders used by subsequent expedition. * They didn't have the advantages of modern tent materials, climbing clothing nor gear; yet they dragged a film camera up most of the way. * Hunt, the expedition leader gives the best explaination of the climbing path and camp positions that I've seen. * The perilousness of the South Col is very evident (the expedition was delayed an extra day due to a storm). This is interesting in retrospect of the 1996 disaster where 9 people died in a stome on the South Col. It also makes me appreciate the tenacity of Beck Weathers, the Dallas physician who survived the 1996 storm with severe frostbite. * The film covers the 175 mile hike required from Katmandu to the first base camp. Now climbers just taken in by helicoptor. * The film focuses on the entire expedition team, including the Sherpas, and not just on Hillary and Norgay. It is very truly a team accomplishment ... Hillary and Norgay made it because of the assigned order of the summit assault teams; not because they were any better climbers than the other. * Great shots of - Everest with the blanket of snow blowing off its south face - Dangerous terrain - The difficulty of hiking and working at high altitudes

I am not interested in mountaineering but I thought that the photography was exceptional.As has been mentioned this would have been filmed in the Technicolor monopack process.The three film process was being phased out in order that they could compete with the likes of Eastmancolour.Ironically now days climbing the mountain has become a thriving tourist business.

I was born in 1946 so was 7 year of age in 1953.I was in my second year at Pinner Road Infants school which helped to educate part of the post war baby boom in Northwood Hills and Pinner Middlesex.What a treat to be told we were all going to the building next to the school to see "The Conquest of Everest".This was shown at the REX cinema.Today it is a supermarket and the school demolished to make way for a block of flats.

If you asked me what do I remember about this film 64 years later, bearing in mind I have not seen it since on UK TV networks, I have to confess I do not remember a thing about it.Perhaps scenes of conquering the summit were shown on news, travelogues, documentaries and the like but being a person that does not like snow & ice it escaped me.Nevertheless I voted this film 7/10 mainly based on other reviewers posts and the historic accomplishment of dragging all that film equipment up Everest.