North Face (Eiger) film is bad

[timmy_t]

Just saw "North Face" in Bellingham last night, based on Kurz and Hinterstoisser's attempt to climb the Eiger Nordwand, and I just want to say that it was disappointing, even not good. There, I said it. Joe Simpson's "The Beckoning Silence" was much, much, better (link below).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmjJBu0xiwc

 

It wasn't "Cliffhanger" or "Vertical Limit" bad, but I don't understand why they changed so much of the drama of the retreat, especially with what ensued after the avalanche. And I didn't like how the climbers were mostly portrayed as selfish assholes (wait...). The rival team were idiots, and the rescue climbers had to be guilt-tripped into helping with the rescue attempt. Then there was the inevitable added drama of the sleazy journalist and the almost-girlfriend. And of course every piton was about to pull out, and every step was a near-danger of slipping. Could have been better, rats.

[goatboy]

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/946518/Nordwand_North_Face_Movie#Post946518

[timmy_t]

Sorry if I'm behind the times on this, we usually get movies (and everything else) later than the rest of the civilized world up here! We're still into mullets and jean jackets, for example. Thanks for the link goatboy.

[pms]

I think you need to see it again

[Jens]

I think you need to see it again

Amen to that.

[mountainsloth]

i liked it. the drama with the journalist was a little forced, but it was something i could take the misses to and we both enjoyed it. the climbing scenes were pretty spot on.

movies in general are all about expectations. i went into it realizing that it was a "hollywood-esque" film and so expected some hokey themes.

[timmy_t]

Maybe if you wanted to respond to one of my specific criticisms I would have a different way of looking at it when I saw it again. I wanted to like it. I was excited going in. I just found myself rolling my eyes a lot. It's an amazing story and I respect it, but that's why I liked Simpson's "Beckoning" so much.