The Conquest of Everest [DVD] [1953]

It could be said that Conquest of Everest was 30 years in the making. In the early 1920s, the British Mallory expedition tried and failed to climb the world's highest mountain. Films of this abortive mission are presented in contrast to the coverage of the far more successful (and infinitely more famous) 1952 ascent of Everest. Most of the footage seen herein was lensed by George Lowe, a member of the expedition. Alas, it was impossible to film scenes of the peak itself; the victory is thus conveyed verbally by narrator Meredith Edwards and by other expedition members. Happily, there isn't a dull moment in this exhilarating 78-minute documentary.~Hal Erickson