“One of the most remarkable treasures in the national film archive... A largely unseen masterpiece” The Guardian
The official record of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine’s 1924 expedition.
The 1924 Everest expedition culminated in the deaths of two of the finest climbers of their generation, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, and sparked an ongoing debate over whether or not they did indeed reach the summit.
Filming in brutally harsh conditions with a specially adapted camera, Captain John Noel captured images of breathtaking beauty and considerable historic significance. The film is also among the earliest filmed records of life in Tibet and features sequences at Phari Dzong (Pagri), Shekar Dzong (Xegar) and Rongbuk monastery. But what resonates so deeply is Noel’s ability to frame the vulnerability, isolation and courage of people persevering in one of the world's harshest landscapes.
The restoration by the BFI National Archive has transformed the quality of the surviving elements of the film and reintroduced the original coloured tints and tones. Revealed by the restoration, few images in cinema are as epic – or moving – as the final shots of a blood red sunset over the Himalayas.
Features newly commissioned musical score by Simon Fisher Turner.
Restoration supported by The Eric Anker-Petersen Charity.
Extras
Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition
Introducing The Epic of Everest (2013, 9 mins): with Sandra Noel
Scoring The Epic of Everest (2013, 8 mins): Composer Simon Fisher Turner discusses the production of the new score
Restoring The Epic of Everest (2013, 6 mins): with BFI curators
Alternative score - the original 1924 score recreated by Julie Brown. Performed by Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andrew Gourlay
Additional musical pieces that accompanied the film on its first screening at the Scala in 1924
Original 1924 film programme (downloadable PDF, DVD only)
Fully illustrated booklet featuring essay from Wade Davis
