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Product Description
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Based on Jon Krakauer's bestselling book, Into Thin Air re-creates an ill-fated 1996 expedition to Everest that claimed at least five lives, including those of two world-class climbers. Only 90 minutes in length, the film jumps right into the action at Everest base camp and compresses the two-month trek into just a few days of exhilarating adventure. Periodic voice-overs by Krakauer (Christopher McDonald) provide essential background information and guide us through the invisible, intensifying effects of altitude and stress. Krakauer joined the trip to write an article on the commercialization of Everest, but as conditions on the mountain deteriorate he is forced to focus all his energy on survival.
Unfortunately the film fails to really develop any of its characters before thrusting them onto the harrowing face of Everest. As a result, it's difficult to understand the relationships that play out as the group struggles to the summit and back. While the trio of leading actors is solid, only Nat Parker (who plays guide Rob Hall) has enough screen time to develop an interesting, complex character. Peter Horton's portrayal of unconventional guide Scott Fischer is almost hyperbolic and McDonald's Krakauer is stiff and difficult to read.
While the film succeeds in creating a palpable sense of agony and suspense, those in search of a more thoughtful, detailed account of the expedition will be better served by reading the book. --Claire Campbell
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By mrsroz
Format:DVD
Into Thin Air remains true to the events discussed in the novel. Students enjoyed watching, as the movie solidified what happened to whom, and made the novel come alive.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Daffydd
Format:DVD
A few years ago I read the book this movie is based on and it started a fascination with the mountain and the people who sometimes die climbing it. I then discovered a movie, this movie, was made. It took some time to get a copy, and when I finally had opportunity to watch it with my girlfriend, I fell asleep (not really a comment about the movie, but the excessive hours I was working).
So now, I've watched it. And... it was clearly in trouble right off the start. In a story ABOUT how several people died on the mountain, the movie often STOPs to remind us with the narration, that '5 people will die'. The producers obviously recognized thier inability to recreate the actual drama that happened. I say, "Don't tell me, SHOW ME". After several scenes I was left wondering if I hadn't read the book if I would really understand what was happening.
Catch this movie on some tv channel at night. Definitely READ Jon Krakauer's book, or even listen to the audio tape or cd. Or wish someone with ability would take this story and make a good or even great movie from the story.
So now, I've watched it. And... it was clearly in trouble right off the start. In a story ABOUT how several people died on the mountain, the movie often STOPs to remind us with the narration, that '5 people will die'. The producers obviously recognized thier inability to recreate the actual drama that happened. I say, "Don't tell me, SHOW ME". After several scenes I was left wondering if I hadn't read the book if I would really understand what was happening.
Catch this movie on some tv channel at night. Definitely READ Jon Krakauer's book, or even listen to the audio tape or cd. Or wish someone with ability would take this story and make a good or even great movie from the story.
By sevca
Format:DVD
Movie was Ok,just OK. I have read the book and really liked it. I missed a lot of details in the movie, but also more scenery and climbing itself.
If you ask me I don't even know if it was really shot around Mt.Everest. Next time I would chose different movie about climbing Mt.Everest (maybe National Geographic one).
If you ask me I don't even know if it was really shot around Mt.Everest. Next time I would chose different movie about climbing Mt.Everest (maybe National Geographic one).
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2.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent Watch
I watched this when it first aired on television. It was interesting enough that I went out and bought the book. Read more
Published on Aug 25 2003 by "samainfirenight"
2.0 out of 5 stars
Buy the "Everest" video instead
This is a fair version of the Jon Krakauer book on the Everest disaster of 1996. The characters of the climbers are much richer in the book than this film. Read more
Published on April 10 2003 by StevenJM
2.0 out of 5 stars
Buy the "Everest" video instead
This is a fair version of the Jon Krakauer book on the Everest disaster of 1996. The characters of the climbers are much richer in the book than this film. Read more
Published on April 10 2003 by StevenJM
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thrilling chiller for mountaineering enthusiasts
I first saw this movie in Global Studies, and even then Mr. Bockelman (my teacher) jumped right in to where Jon Krakauer is struggling to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Read more
Published on Feb 3 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good realistic movie
I have seen many movies and stories about climbing but I have to say that this DVD so far has been one of the best stories ever carried out comercially. Read more
Published on Dec 1 2002 by Juan Pacheco
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor movie
Into Thin Air:Death On Everest~1997
I'm afraid to say that this is a very poor movie based on a true story. Read more
I'm afraid to say that this is a very poor movie based on a true story. Read more
Published on Jun 1 2002 by Rowan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stupid, stupid, stupid
With bad acting, bad screenwriting, bad editing and bad directing, this DVD should easily take its place among the dead with the 1996 Everest disaster. Read more
Published on May 4 2002
1.0 out of 5 stars
They Killed a Great Story
By this time everyone knows what happened on Mt. Everest in 1996, so I'll spare you the replay. Forget the question of whether this film was true to the written accounts, it's... Read more
Published on Jan 23 2002
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bad Acting further embelishes Krakoar's slanted account
This movie is terrible. It's overacted and worse, magnifies the characatures that John Krakoar's (sp?) moralizing views of the disaster of Everest.
Published on Sep 12 2001 by John Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars
Into Thin Air, an excellent movie
Having been fascinated with Mount Everest and the 1996 disaster ever since reading "Into Thin Air" a year ago, I was delighted to learn there was a movie based on the... Read more
Published on Jun 7 2001 by John Davis
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