November 6-9 | Friday-Monday | 2 hours, 5 minutes | Rated PG |
Despite Tom Hiddleston as Sir Edmond Hillary and Willem Defoe as Colonel John Hunt, it’s Genden Phuntsock’s Tenzing Norgay who is the center of the story of the first ascent of Mount Everest (Chamolangma). In addition to absolutely stunning shots of the ascent itself, the film takes to flashbacks to show the importance of the mountain in Tenzing’s life, and the connection he and those around him had with it. In addition to a thrilling climbing movie, it’s a film about that connection, and what it means to live in concert with the natural world around you. Definitely a film to be seen on the big screen, it currently has a 98% Tomatometer and a 91% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Tenzing earns its inspirational fervor, but the reason it fits into the new wave of mountain-climbing movies is that the director, Jennifer Peedom… has staged it with a you-are-there authenticity that’s breathtaking but never showy.” -Owen Gleiberman, Variety
“Tenzing Norgay’s place in history got cast in the publicity and political shadows of Hilary and expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, Tenzing corrects that and champions how it was a true team effort with Tenzing deserving of the same headline treatment.” -Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“Tenzing, in its quietly empathetic way, makes sure we know who the real heroes are.” -Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
“Tenzing is a hell of an achievement. It is one of the best films about mountaineering I have seen and a brilliantly full account of an expedition that became one of the defining human achievements of the 20th century.” -Gaeme Tucket, The Post NZ
“Thoughtful, meditative, thrilling and beautifully made, Tenzing is truly a film to savour.” -Erin Free, FILMINK (Australia)
“This is a solid crowdpleaser that employs a flashback structure to explore Tenzing’s early life and deep spiritual connection with the mountain he, like his fellow Sherpas, reveres as a sacred mother goddess.” -Wendy Ide, Observer (UK)
“[Peedom’s] balance of Western and Eastern ideologies is impeccable, even as she navigates intense locations, stunts, and sentimental integrity.” -Cortlyn Kelly, RogerEbert.com
Tenzing begins its ascent at The Clyde on Friday, November 6, and plays Friday, Saturday, & Monday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00.
