Tenzing

The 1953 expedition to summit Everest is given a new perspective, focusing on the Himalayan guide who lead the adventure, Tenzing Norbu (Genden Phuntsok). Over many years, we see him gain the skills, take the risks and fall in love, all preparatory to the moment when Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston) and Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe) engage him to take them to the ultimate peak.

While the calibre and familiarity of the Western actors may encourage a view that this is the story of the white mountain climbers, the focus is firmly on Tenzing and his specific path to mountain climbing mastery. Director Jennifer Peedom is deeply immersed in the local traditions having worked on documentary Sherpa and Mountain, and is able to bring the epic scale necessary to this gripping tale of human achievement.

"Guided by Genden Phuntsok’s powerful performance and supported by Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, and Thinley Lhamo, the film is an inspirational biographical epic elevated by an extraordinary life and crowd-pleasing filmmaking." Matt Neglia, Next Best Picture