THE SUMMIT

THE SUMMIT is a very exciting, jeopardy-filled, on-the-edge-of-your-seat documentary structured like a mystery. Using re-enactments, the movie tells the story of the deadliest mountain climbing expedition in August 2008, where 11 people died on the Himalayan mountain known as K2. While Everest is the tallest mountain, K2, the second tallest, is the most difficult. The film footage in THE SUMMIT is absolutely incredible. The re-created scenes are woven seamlessly into the documentary footage. Several of the mountain climbing participants from all over the world become friends with the audience through their interviews. Several of them die, however, leaving behind wives and families.

In the beginning, the Norit team sets up to conquer K2 in July because August is avalanche season. However, it snows for three weeks in July. This delays their ascent. By the end of the delay, other mountain climbing groups have arrived, from Korea, Italy, Serbia, Norway, Ireland, the U.S., Spain, and an international group. They try to work together, giving responsibilities crucial to life and death to each group. For instance, Mr. Kim of the Korean team is responsible for setting the ropes. Later in the documentary, however, he fails to leave on time and to set the ropes properly. This causes incredible delays and death.

As the men begin their climb, the Serbian climber man falls early on in the dead zone, which is called the dead zone because of oxygen starvation. The brain cells shut down, the brain expands and delusions occur. Another climber just goes wacko too. Many of them get to the top, including the wonderful, friendly Ger McDonald, Rolfe, Wilco from Norway, and Rolfe’s wife. Because they are late, they come down late. An avalanche hits one, taking him out and cutting the rope, which wasn’t set properly. Three Koreans go off the edge. Ger and Rolfe try to help. One of the best climbers, Pimba, is a Sherpa, who does help and comes off the mountain late. Two of the climbers get severe frostbite. Interwoven into the movie, are flashbacks to the first expedition to K2 in the 1950s by interviewing an Italian climber who was reviled for years because two of his climbing buddies died. He has only recently been recognized for what he did.

THE SUMMIT is filled with excitement. Some of the individual stories are fascinating. Some of the problems that occurred will never be resolved, which makes the movie a great mystery. As noted above, the re-enacted scenes are woven seamlessly into the documentary footage and interview footage.

Because the Sherpa climbers and guides are Nepalese and Pakistan, there’s some minor false religion in THE SUMMIT. There are also some Christian references, however. Overall, THE SUMMIT has a very strong moral worldview about mountain climbing, which stresses the need to rescue those who are hurt and fallen. THE SUMMIT contains very few obscenities and the profanities are exclamatory, like Oh My God, which is what you might say when a big avalanche comes down on you. The filmmaking and structure is excellent. THE SUMMIT is one of the best, most compelling documentaries ever made.