Starring: Chad Moffitt, Sonam Sherpa, John Wraight
Director: Leanne Pooley
Rating: 4/5
We all know the story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and how they became the first men to reach the top of Mount Everest... or do we?
Beyond The Edge takes audiences into the heart of this adventure and shines a new light on this tale: if Charles Evans & Tom Bourdillom had made it to the top, no one would ever have heard of Ed Hillary.
Both a classic triumph of the underdog story and a gripping, cinematic experience, Beyond The Edge is a tale of human endurance, tenacity, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
Leanne Pooley has been behind films such as Shackleton's Captain and documentary The Promise, and now she has successfully turned her hand to the docu-film.
Beyond The Edge really is a terrific watch, as audiences are taken into the past to witness an incredible feat of endurance.
Pooley has really brought this story to life as she has mixed re-enactment footage with wonderful archive footage and images.
She has seamlessly combined all these elements to make a truly beautiful and riveting film, that shines a light on the past and on a story that we all thought that we know so well: I had no idea that Hillary and Norgay were not the first time in that expedition to try and reach the summit.
Hard to believe, but if Charles Evans and Tom Borurdillom had made it to the top, no one would have ever heard of Hillary and Norgay.
Beyond The Edge really is inspirational stuff, as we follow two men who had no idea if what they were about to attempt could even be achieved.
Despite the struggles and the danger, Hillary and Norgay battle on real their goal and claim their place in history.
The archival material is just wonderful, and really gives you a sense of the difficulties and the danger that these explorers faced every moment they were on the mountain.
The re-enacted footage is also great as Pooley is able to put her own dramatic stamp on the story and events.
Apart from knowing the Hillary and Norgay were the first men to reach Everest, I knew very little about this story and found Beyond The Edge a truly riveting watch. The best mountain exploration film since Touching The Void.
Read our full Leanne Pooley interview as we caught up with her to chat about the film.
Beyond The Edge is out now.