Read, then watch

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2016)

In 1997 I came home from work one day and my wife told me she saw an author on TV named Jon Krakauer and maybe we should get his book. It was "Into Thin Air" and as soon as we started reading it, we were hooked. It is among my top 10 most compelling books of all time. It is about the tragic ascent of Everest attempted by two climbing teams in May 1996 - and the subsequent deaths of 8 of the climbers including two elite climbers who were also guides.
Right after the book came out a terrible made-for-TV movie with the same name as the book. So, those who did not read the book had little chance to experience the drama, tragedy, and emotions of the event.
Until now.
"Everest" captures all the drama and wrenching emotions of the disastrous climb. The movie is beautifully shot and the deaths painfully and realistically portrayed. Even though my wife and I had read the book and knew the outcome, we found ourselves rooting so hard for the doomed climbers who were trapped on the descent.
The scenes where Rob Hall is talking to his pregnant wife back in the U.S. while he is stranded and dying on the mountain are very emotional. The moment that those in Base Camp realize that lives had been and were being lost even as they tried vainly to send other climbers to rescue them was torture - for the players and the audience. It is amazing how connected one can get to people in a movie in such as short time.
I believe that our enjoyment of the movie was greatly enhanced by reading Krakauer's book - even though it was 19 years ago. My advise: read the book - then watch the movie. You will not regret it.