Over the past few days it’s been reported that production on a film documenting Sir Edmund Hillary’s heroic and historic ascent of Mount Everest is underway, entitled Beyond the Edge. The 3D feature will present “one of the greatest adventure stories of all time” (actually true in this case) through a mixture of original colour footage, photographs and “dramatic” recreation – taking us along with Sir Ed and Tenzing Norgay on their incredible journey to conquer the world’s highest peak… and be the first to do so.
The film promises to provide largely unknown details of how “we knocked the bastard off”. The production has the Hillary family’s blessing and the Royal Geographical Society in London (who were joint sponsors of the 1953 expedition) is providing the filmmakers with access to photographs and original materials. I can’t wait to see those!
Leading the filmmaking expedition is director Leanne Pooley (best known for her work on the highly entertaining The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls and TV’s Shackleton’s Captain), with Matthew Metcalfe (Dean Spanley, Love Birds) on as Producer. In the New Zealand Film Commission press release Metcalfe respectfully states “It is an honour to produce a film about one of New Zealand’s greatest heroes and bring this epic tale to the big screen together with a team of talented world-class filmmakers and technicians, for an audience to enjoy in cinematic 3D. It will be breath-taking.”
Also respectful of the task, Pooley says in the same release: “Beyond the Edge is a gift for a filmmaker. Like the conquest of Everest itself, Beyond the Edge will be a film that pounds a stake in the ground establishing once and for all that Sir Edmund Hillary’s triumph on top of the world wasn’t just a huge accomplishment, but an epic story that helped to define a nation. It is my goal to take every Kiwi on a journey up the mountain and on an adventure that will remind them of what it is that makes us who we are.”
Rialto Distribution will be bringing the film to New Zealand screens in 2013. Very shortly, however, casting will commence. Who would you like to see play Sir Ed?
It is a truly remarkable story and a film that does justice to this inspirational New Zealander’s extraordinary feat will be something to treasure and enjoy. You can be assured we’ll keep you posted on the film’s progress.
Are you excited about this news?
