Everest takes audiences on an inspirational and harrowing ascent of the world’s tallest mountain with a team of four international climbers who find hope, beauty, and triumph in the wake of tragedy. Audiences discover how Mt. Everest was formed, how high-altitude challenges a climber’s physical and mental capabilities, and how Sherpa culture and tradition permeates the Mt. Everest experience. Everest’s popularity and marketing strategies changed everything for the IMAX Theatre industry. The film was the first large-format film to be shown in over 90 theatres simultaneously, making industry history as the largest and fastest network-wide rollout ever for a large-format film. In December 1998, Everest earned the number one spot on Variety’s box office grosses for “limited releases,” and placed on the “Top 50 films of 1998” list by USA Today. In February 1999, Everest reached the $75 million plateau at the box office, less than one year from its release, making Everest the fastest grossing giant screen documentary film in history.
“Plain and simple, Everest takes movie-making to new heights—in every sense of the phrase. It’s not only the best IMAX film to date, it features some of the most spectacular, breathtaking photography on record. Indeed, the thrill-a-minute scenario makes Everest a must see for all.”
– New York Post
“Everest… is a thrilling account of athleticism, courage and whatever folly it is that makes people risk their lives to prove themselves. The eight-story-high enormousness and amazing clarity of the IMAX picture is as close as most people will want to get to the sport of mountaineering. Without the expense, exertion, pain and risk, Everest is the next best thing to being there.”
– New York Daily News
“Everest… is not only a visually glorious and absorbing film and a story of hope and hubris; it is also an amazing feat of filmmaking.”
– New York Times
“…a powerful, absorbing adventure…”
– The Hollywood Reporter
“…combines real-life tragedy and derring-do with eye-popping scenery for an effect that’s as dramatic as it is fascinating and spectacular…Somber yet exciting and beautiful, this dazzling doc is sure to be a favorite…”
– Daily Variety
“What the large-format IMAX screen was made for: a breathtaking climb to the top of Mount Everest that reveals the world’s highest mountain in all of its awesome, perilous grandeur.” “A.”
– Entertainment Weekly
Everest CD
Featuring the music of Sting, on Pangaea Records
Everest: Mountain without Mercy
By Broughton Coburn
Download the Educator Guide.
Produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films with major funding from the National Science Foundation
Sponsored in part by the Everest Film Network
Presented by Polartec
Narrated by Liam Neeson
Featuring the music of George Harrison, including “Here Comes The Sun”
Release date: 1998
Runtime: 40 minutes
Format: filmed in 15 perforation/70 mm