Tenzing

A few days ago, the RGS's Ondaatje Theatre hosted an event which was very special. 

A screening of the new film 'Tenzing' took place. It was organised by the Himalayan Trust UK.

This has been made by Apple TV.

Starring Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, and Willem Dafoe, Tenzing follows the true story of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary's historic first summit of Mount Everest. History remembers the summit, but not always the man who made it possible.

The film chronicles the life of Tenzing Norgay and his monumental achievement alongside Edmund Hillary, documenting their journey as the first individuals confirmed to summit Mount Everest during the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition.

The event featured speeches from Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to climb Mount Everest; Norbu Tenzing Norgay, Tenzing’s oldest son; and the actor Tom Hiddleston, who starred as Edmund Hillary.
Visually stunning and deeply moving, the film paired an uplifting storyline with beautiful imagery.

A special evening for those who were there.

Updated

Thanks to Brendan Conway for sending this review of the film.

The story telling is excellent and insightful, with impressive attention to detail. 

There are interesting glimpses of the local perspective about the various European expeditions and inter-ethnic tensions.
The cinematography is spectacular and often chimes well with key scenes from George Lowe's 'The Conquest of Everest' documentary. There's some very good casting with Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing Norgay (and others portraying him as a child and young adult) and Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary.

However, Willem Dafoe didn't seem quite right as John Hunt, not least because he is 30 years older than Hunt was at the time. There could also have been better development of the other significant characters in the narrative. 

For example, Eric Shipton's role in progress towards the first successful ascent is often sadly overlooked, and other key players in the 1953 expedition were generally placed in the background.