Sturm am Manaslu

The docu by Reinhold Messner recounts the 1972 Manaslu expedition, bringing Messner and his surviving team members together to reflect on their experience nearly fifty years later. While the film's premise holds potential for an intense and emotional journey, the execution falls short, particularly in its dialogue and lack of strong narrative flow. The discussions among the climbers often feel forced, lacking the natural tension expected from such a life-and-death story.

The cinematography is another weak point, with shaky shots that fail to capture the grandeur of the Himalayas effectively, sometimes missing the mark in both perspective and stability. These technical issues make it difficult for the film to convey the overwhelming scale of the mountain and the danger faced by the climbers.

However, for alpine enthusiasts, Sturm am Manaslu offers valuable insights into the ethics and risks of extreme mountaineering, even if it lacks cinematic polish. It remains an important watch for those focused on mountaineering history and the philosophy of survival, though it may leave more demanding cinephiles unsatisfied.