The Conquest of Everest

To mark the 70th anniversary of the historic expedition, featuring the iconic mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary, Wilfred Noyce and Tenzing Norgay, Studiocanal presents this classic British documentary in a dazzling new restoration on DVD and Blu-ray as well as Digital. Depicting this important piece of mountaineering history using fascinating footage courtesy of George Lowe, this insightful documentary furthermore informs us about the preparation and description of the actual route.

Beginning with snippets of the late Queen’s coronation on June 2nd, 1953, the nation had additional reason to celebrate when news broke that New Zealand-born explorer and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, together with Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, became the first two climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Both Hillary and Norgay were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt.

Although the documentary also touches on the various efforts made to reach the peak of Mount Everest during the early 20th century, in particular British explorer George Mallory, who, together with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine, perished on Mount Everest on June 8th 1924, the main part focuses on the preparations for the 1953 expedition and the actual ascent. In the spirit of Mallory, who once remarked that the reason why he wished to climb to the peak of Mount Everest is “Because it’s there” the members of the 1953 expedition followed in Mallory’s spirit.

Particularly interesting is the footage of the actual preparations and the many tests back in Great Britain, from finding the most suitable fabrics for the mountaineers outfits to the right footwear and of course the rigorous training regarding the issue of oxygen.
Director George Lowe, who was present at the 1953 climb, shot much of the footage of the production and it is explained how difficult it initially was to even make it to Nepal and Tibet – firstly because Nepal had opened its borders to the outside world only two years prior and secondly, because although there were roads in Tibet and Nepal, back then no roads actually led to the countries, thus equipment had to transported via cable transport and gondolas.
We also get to see how the Sherpa people lived back then and observe individuals praying to Buddha, Hindu and various other deities, chanting ‘om mani padme hum’ repeatedly.

We then observe how the climbing team prepared themselves for the ascent and as the trek takes them higher and higher, the struggle with breath becomes a serious issue (not helped that the mountaineers had to carry heavy equipment on their back). It’s fair to say that the local sherpas adapted much better to the thin air. Other constant obstacles were of course the heavy snow and ice and above all, the never-ending wind which blasts through the mountains day and night without mercy. Heavy camera equipment, oxygen tanks and only a rudimentary training all added to the constant challenge. Footage of mountaineers covered in icicles speaks for itself! When original cameraman Tom Stobart fell ill at lower level, it was Hillary’s climbing partner George Lowe who took over as the director and we have to thank him for this most amazing footage.


Winner of the BAFA for ‘Best Documentary’ and nominated for an Oscar, THE CONQUEST OF EVEREST depicts a truly epic and historical journey which will continue to fascinate generations of mountaineers to come.
Special Features include ‘The Conquest of Everest’ London Premiere in 1953 with attendance of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, plus the British Entertainment project interview with producer John Taylor from 1988.