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Documentary / Historical
Latok 1978
Jim Aikman (2017)
In 1978, an elite team of American alpinists set off for an unclimbed peak in the remote mountains of Pakistan. The infamous attempt is now considered one of the greatest failures in the history of Amerian alpinism. Jim Donini, Michael Kennedy, George Lowe and Jeff Lowe nearly succeeded on the long and committing Latok's North Ridge in 1978. They came within a few hundred meters of the summit, but they retreated after Jeff Lowe nearly died from a sudden onset of altitude sickness.- 2017
- USA
- 7 min
In 1978, an elite team of American alpinists set off for an unclimbed peak in the remote mountains of Pakistan. The infamous attempt is now considered one of the greatest failures in the history of Amerian alpinism. Jim Donini, Michael Kennedy, George Lowe and Jeff Lowe nearly succeeded on the long and committing Latok's North Ridge in 1978. They came within a few hundred meters of the summit, but they retreated after Jeff Lowe nearly died from a sudden onset of altitude sickness.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Historical
Great Explorations
Alison Francis (2017)
BBC News has been given exclusive access to a priceless archive of important footage taken by young adventurers exploring parts of the world that were completely new to western eyes. These remarkable films, from the frozen mountains in the Himalayas to the searing Libyan Desert, have not seen the light of day for nearly a hundred years. As well as helping historians learn more about the past they are also giving scientists new insights into the future of our planet.- 2017
- UK
- 25 min
BBC News has been given exclusive access to a priceless archive of important footage taken by young adventurers exploring parts of the world that were completely new to western eyes. These remarkable films, from the frozen mountains in the Himalayas to the searing Libyan Desert, have not seen the light of day for nearly a hundred years. As well as helping historians learn more about the past they are also giving scientists new insights into the future of our planet.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Historical
The conquest of Everest 1953
Andrew Aitken (1993)
The conquest of Everest 1953 is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Everest. It was directed by Andrew Aitken in 1993 and produced by LaMancha Productions.- 1993
- UK
- 54 min
The conquest of Everest 1953 is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Everest. It was directed by Andrew Aitken in 1993 and produced by LaMancha Productions.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Chronicle
La conquista del Everest
Sebastián Álvaro (2003)
La conquista del Everest is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Everest. It was directed by Sebastián Álvaro in 2003 and produced by RTVE. It is a part of the series Al filo de lo imposible. It features Juanito Oiarzabal, Juan Vallejo, Ferran Latorre, Òscar Cadiach, Josu Bereziartua, Alberto Zerain and others.- 2003
- Spain
- 57 min
La conquista del Everest is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Everest. It was directed by Sebastián Álvaro in 2003 and produced by RTVE. It is a part of the series Al filo de lo imposible. It features Juanito Oiarzabal, Juan Vallejo, Ferran Latorre, Òscar Cadiach, Josu Bereziartua, Alberto Zerain and others.Climbing locations
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DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Expedition Journal
Land of mist and fire
Leo Dickinson (1978)
The Patagonian ice cap, situated on the southern tip of South America, must be one of the world's least explored places. This is quite understandable because it consists of twenty-four square kilometers of crevassed ice swept by wind and snowstorms. Welshman Eric Jones, Mick Coffey, and cameraman Leo Dickinson trekked across this remote, dangerous land to climb Cerro Lautaro, a volcano in the middle of the ice field. Despite being held up by bad weather for two weeks, Jones, Coffey, and Dickinson eventually scaled the previously unclimbed Cerro Lautaro and another peak they named Cerro Mimosa.- 1978
- UK
- 52 min
The Patagonian ice cap, situated on the southern tip of South America, must be one of the world's least explored places. This is quite understandable because it consists of twenty-four square kilometers of crevassed ice swept by wind and snowstorms. Welshman Eric Jones, Mick Coffey, and cameraman Leo Dickinson trekked across this remote, dangerous land to climb Cerro Lautaro, a volcano in the middle of the ice field. Despite being held up by bad weather for two weeks, Jones, Coffey, and Dickinson eventually scaled the previously unclimbed Cerro Lautaro and another peak they named Cerro Mimosa.Climbing locations
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DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Historical
The race for Everest
Mick Conefrey (2003)
Documentary on Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic ascent of Everest in 1953. Including previously unseen material filmed on the expedition, and interviews with surviving members of the team and members of the rival Swiss team, who attempted the mountain in 1952. The Swiss expedition, with the participation of the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached a height of about 8,595 metres (28,199 ft) on the southeast ridge, setting a new climbing altitude record, opening up a new route to Mount Everest and paving the way for the further successes of the 1953 British expedition.- 2003
- UK
- 59 min
Documentary on Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic ascent of Everest in 1953. Including previously unseen material filmed on the expedition, and interviews with surviving members of the team and members of the rival Swiss team, who attempted the mountain in 1952. The Swiss expedition, with the participation of the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached a height of about 8,595 metres (28,199 ft) on the southeast ridge, setting a new climbing altitude record, opening up a new route to Mount Everest and paving the way for the further successes of the 1953 British expedition.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Expedition Journal
Everest unmasked
Leo Dickinson (1978)
Record of the first ascent of Everest made without the use of oxygen equipment, made in May 1978 by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. Could it be done? Would their blood vessels burst? Would they suffer brain damage leading to madness? Nobody was sure. Messner: 'I would never come here for trying Everest with oxygen. That is not a challenge for me.' A fascinating piece of history, well filmed by Leo Dickinson and Eric Jones (above the South Col Messner used a cine camera to continue the filming), featuring Messner and Habeler's thoughts. The film follows the usual sequence from Namche to Base Camp, through the Icefall, to Camps I, II and III. It also shows historical footage of the pioneering Mallory and Shipton expeditions.- 1978
- UK
- 52 min
Record of the first ascent of Everest made without the use of oxygen equipment, made in May 1978 by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. Could it be done? Would their blood vessels burst? Would they suffer brain damage leading to madness? Nobody was sure. Messner: 'I would never come here for trying Everest with oxygen. That is not a challenge for me.' A fascinating piece of history, well filmed by Leo Dickinson and Eric Jones (above the South Col Messner used a cine camera to continue the filming), featuring Messner and Habeler's thoughts. The film follows the usual sequence from Namche to Base Camp, through the Icefall, to Camps I, II and III. It also shows historical footage of the pioneering Mallory and Shipton expeditions.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY Video on Demand -
Documentary / Expedition Journal
The Fourth Everest Expedition
Percy Wyn-Harris (1933)
Record of the 1933 British Mount Everest expedition, that was, after the reconnaissance expedition of 1921, and the 1922 and 1924 expeditions, the fourth British expedition to Mount Everest and the third with the intention of making the first ascent. The expedition was unsuccessful, although in two separate attempts Lawrence Wager and Percy Wyn-Harris, and then F. S. Smythe, set an altitude record for climbing without supplemental oxygen that was not broken until Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler reached the summit in 1978.- 1933
- UK
- 76 min
Record of the 1933 British Mount Everest expedition, that was, after the reconnaissance expedition of 1921, and the 1922 and 1924 expeditions, the fourth British expedition to Mount Everest and the third with the intention of making the first ascent. The expedition was unsuccessful, although in two separate attempts Lawrence Wager and Percy Wyn-Harris, and then F. S. Smythe, set an altitude record for climbing without supplemental oxygen that was not broken until Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler reached the summit in 1978.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Expedition Journal
The conquest of Mt. Kamet
Richard Robinson (1983)
Documentary about the 1931 British Expedition to Mount Kamet, in the Himalayas. After ten previous attempts to climb Mount Kamet, a young British expedition led by F. S. Smythe finally conquered this mighty and awe-inspiring mountain. The original film, made by F. S. Smythe, brilliantly captures their moments of fear, dread and finally their exhilaration when they reach the summit of Kamet and survey in awestruck wonderment the fantastic sight of the other mountains and the world beneath them. The documentary is part of the BBC series 'Travellers in time'. Six films about early exploration to remote parts of the world introduced from the Royal Geographical Society by the pioneer polar explorer Duncan Carse.- 1983
- UK
- 30 min
Documentary about the 1931 British Expedition to Mount Kamet, in the Himalayas. After ten previous attempts to climb Mount Kamet, a young British expedition led by F. S. Smythe finally conquered this mighty and awe-inspiring mountain. The original film, made by F. S. Smythe, brilliantly captures their moments of fear, dread and finally their exhilaration when they reach the summit of Kamet and survey in awestruck wonderment the fantastic sight of the other mountains and the world beneath them. The documentary is part of the BBC series 'Travellers in time'. Six films about early exploration to remote parts of the world introduced from the Royal Geographical Society by the pioneer polar explorer Duncan Carse.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Expedition Journal
The conquest of Everest
George Lowe (1953)
Story of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay. The documentary details from the history of Mount Everest and earlier climbing expeditions to preparations (including oxygen and equipment testing at Farnborough) and description of the route. Includes voice commentary from John Hunt, Charles Wylie and Edmund Hillary. Camps, acclimatization and assault parties. Ends with a triumphant Hillary and Tenzing arriving back at Camp IV, and being congratulated by the team. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.- 1953
- UK
- 78 min
Story of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay. The documentary details from the history of Mount Everest and earlier climbing expeditions to preparations (including oxygen and equipment testing at Farnborough) and description of the route. Includes voice commentary from John Hunt, Charles Wylie and Edmund Hillary. Camps, acclimatization and assault parties. Ends with a triumphant Hillary and Tenzing arriving back at Camp IV, and being congratulated by the team. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Expedition Journal
Kamet conquered
Frank Smythe (1932)
Record of the 1931 British Expedition to Mount Kamet, in the Himalayas. After ten previous attempts to climb Mount Kamet, a young British expedition led by F. S. Smythe finally conquered this mighty and awe-inspiring mountain. The film, made by F. S. Smythe, brilliantly captures their moments of fear, dread and finally their exhilaration when they reach the summit of Kamet and survey in awestruck wonderment the fantastic sight of the other mountains and the world beneath them.- 1932
- UK
- 55 min
Record of the 1931 British Expedition to Mount Kamet, in the Himalayas. After ten previous attempts to climb Mount Kamet, a young British expedition led by F. S. Smythe finally conquered this mighty and awe-inspiring mountain. The film, made by F. S. Smythe, brilliantly captures their moments of fear, dread and finally their exhilaration when they reach the summit of Kamet and survey in awestruck wonderment the fantastic sight of the other mountains and the world beneath them.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Expedition Journal
Everest 1936 - Ruttledge
Peter Oliver (1936)
Record of the 1936 British Mout Everest Expedition led by Hugh Ruttledge. Although the North Col was reached, a combination of high winds, storms and waist-deep snow made progress above 7,000m difficult and, with the monsoon arriving early, Ruttledge called off the expedition. Members of the expedition were mountaineers Eric Shipton, Frank Smythe, Percy Wyn-Harris, Edwin Kempson, Dr. Charles Warren, Edmund Wigram, Peter Oliver and James Gavin. The party also included Tenzing Norgay. This was a very well-equipped expedition, which included oxygen and radio equipment.- 1936
- UK
- 21 min
Record of the 1936 British Mout Everest Expedition led by Hugh Ruttledge. Although the North Col was reached, a combination of high winds, storms and waist-deep snow made progress above 7,000m difficult and, with the monsoon arriving early, Ruttledge called off the expedition. Members of the expedition were mountaineers Eric Shipton, Frank Smythe, Percy Wyn-Harris, Edwin Kempson, Dr. Charles Warren, Edmund Wigram, Peter Oliver and James Gavin. The party also included Tenzing Norgay. This was a very well-equipped expedition, which included oxygen and radio equipment.Climbing locations
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