This is the @puremovies review of Beyond The Edge, directed by Leanne Pooley and starring Chad Moffitt. The latest cinematic retelling of Colonel John Hunt's successful 1953 expedition is an ambitious combination of period recordings, dramatic staged scenes from the Southern Alps, new footage from mountaineer-cameraman Mark Whetu's recent journey to the top, with logistical and geographic animations throughout. Unfortunately the consequence is an unsettling mutant snowscape, which lacks the ability to support enough insightful depth to create any enduring pertinence. This time-worn story is retold without meaningful probing, fresh technical disclosure and with the warmth to match the mountain itself. Sir Edmund Hillary, formidable Kiwi beekeeper-cum-superhero, is played by the largely silent (and large - 192cm) Chad Moffitt. While it's quite gratifying to watch him stride across the snow to the unbridled feist of the soundtrack, it doesn't fill the cavernous personality-shaped lacuna which stretches the length of the film.
- 6/8/2014
- by Camilla Brown
- Pure Movies
Through gorgeous archival footage and new re-creations, thrillingly places us amidst the first successful summit of Everest in 1953, taking true advantage of 3D to offer us dazzling mountain vistas. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The avalanche on Everest last month that killed 16 Sherpas and shut down the climbing season for the year is the other bookend to what may turn out to be a brief window in human history that stretches back to only the 1920s: the era in which the tallest mountain on Earth was summitable. The earliest possible moment opened up when the right life-support technology came along; the melting of the ice on the mountain, on which much of the actually climbing actually happens, could signal the closing of the window.
This new documentary thrillingly re-creates the first successful summit in...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The avalanche on Everest last month that killed 16 Sherpas and shut down the climbing season for the year is the other bookend to what may turn out to be a brief window in human history that stretches back to only the 1920s: the era in which the tallest mountain on Earth was summitable. The earliest possible moment opened up when the right life-support technology came along; the melting of the ice on the mountain, on which much of the actually climbing actually happens, could signal the closing of the window.
This new documentary thrillingly re-creates the first successful summit in...
- 5/23/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Despite hinting at an Anglo-centric core, it soon becomes apparent that Beyond The Edge is a documentary-film about Edmund Hillary’s achievements as a mountaineer rather than Britain’s post-war achievements as an intrepid, all-conquering nation. The British Colony’s ‘last hurrah’ – as it was contemporaneously touted – was fulfilled by Kiwi and a Nepalese Sherpa.
Comprising stock footage, voice over work and cinematic scenes that feature silent actors, this documentary-cum-drama finds its pace as the expedition moves into its more critical stages. Of course, the higher Hillary (Chad Moffitt) and Tenzing (Sonam Sherpa) climbed, the less stock footage there was.
This is perhaps the film’s biggest downfall. While the balance between the old, grainy footage and the gleaming, high-definition shots was neat towards the start, it invariably swayed towards the contemporary as we reached the summit, and while this could have been an effective visual device, heightening the tension...
Comprising stock footage, voice over work and cinematic scenes that feature silent actors, this documentary-cum-drama finds its pace as the expedition moves into its more critical stages. Of course, the higher Hillary (Chad Moffitt) and Tenzing (Sonam Sherpa) climbed, the less stock footage there was.
This is perhaps the film’s biggest downfall. While the balance between the old, grainy footage and the gleaming, high-definition shots was neat towards the start, it invariably swayed towards the contemporary as we reached the summit, and while this could have been an effective visual device, heightening the tension...
- 5/19/2014
- by Jack de Aguilar
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
New Zealand Scales Everest Movie ‘Beyond The Edge’ Not to be confused with Sony Pictures’ Doug Liman-directed Everest, New Zealand’s General Film Corporation has announced the start of shooting on Beyond The Edge, a 3D feature about Sir Edmund Hillary’s 1953 ascent of Mt Everest. Local actors Chad Moffitt and Sonam Sherpa will play Hillary and his sherpa Tenzing Norgay for director Leanne Pooley. Matthew Metcalfe is producing and Rialto will release in New Zealand and Australia. Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King production designer Grant Major; cinematographer Richard Bluck, second unit on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and costume designer Barbara Darragh are all aboard. Altitude Film Sales has international rights. Completion is expected in September. EOne Builds Canadian Teams Following eOne’s acquisition of Alliance Films, the company has made new team appointments in Toronto and Montréal. EOne Films Canada has named Frank Mendicino...
- 3/5/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Newcomers Chad Moffitt and Sonam Sherpa are set to play Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in the 3D survival drama feature "Beyond the Edge".
Award-winning N.Z. documentary maker Leanne Pooley helms the project which attempts a re-creation of the epic 1953 Mt. Everst climb that saw the pair become the first people to conquer the highest peak in the world.
The film will use original color footage, voice recordings and photographs from the time as well as dramatic re-creations of the assault on the world’s highest peak.
Filming gets underway this week at Mt. Cook on New Zealand's South Island. Some filming is also due to take place at Everest. A late 2013 release in Australia and New Zealand is planned.
Source: THR...
Award-winning N.Z. documentary maker Leanne Pooley helms the project which attempts a re-creation of the epic 1953 Mt. Everst climb that saw the pair become the first people to conquer the highest peak in the world.
The film will use original color footage, voice recordings and photographs from the time as well as dramatic re-creations of the assault on the world’s highest peak.
Filming gets underway this week at Mt. Cook on New Zealand's South Island. Some filming is also due to take place at Everest. A late 2013 release in Australia and New Zealand is planned.
Source: THR...
- 3/4/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
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