North Face
Based on a true story, North Face is a suspenseful adventure film about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges the nation s Alpinists to conquer the unclimbed north face of the Swiss massif the Eiger two reluctant German climbers begin their daring ascent.North Face is a men vs. mountain adventure so harrowing and gripping that, as with the doomed sailors in Das Boot, one almost forgets that the bruised, battered, and frostbitten c
Rating: 
(out of 8 reviews)
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K. Barmore said
September 2 2010 @ 8:12 pm
Review by K. Barmore for North Face
Rating:
This is an action packed film involving a mountaineering adventure, a love story, and the politics of pre-1936 Olympic Games Germany. Pay close attention to the dialogue to catch the subtle politics emerging in the social setting at the posh hotel in the Alps. The mountaineers make basic mistakes which result in a nailbiting climax. The film is based on a true story and should be watched by anyone who thinks they want to climb a mountain. I’m recommending it to all my dear mountaineering friends and relatives to remind them to plan well, climb wisely, and return home safe.
Robin Simmons said
September 2 2010 @ 8:16 pm
Review by Robin Simmons for North Face
Rating:
I have a fear of heights.
I also have a new fear of being stranded on the side of a sheer cliff called “The Murder Wall” during a blizzard. This unexpected thriller, based on a true story, held me spellbound for it’s just over two hour running time. I can’t recall a more harrowing mountain adventure.
This riveting recreation is set in 1936, a short time before the famed (and notorious) Berlin Olympics which Hitler hoped to use as propaganda to tout the superiority of all things Nazi and Aryan. The worldwide news of Germans conquering this impossible, peak was a hoped-for event before the Olympics and something encouraged by the German press. Here two Germans — Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser — confront “the last problem of the Alps”: the Eiger’s unclimbed North Face. They are closely followed up “The Murder Wall” by a competing Austrian team. But things go terribly wrong. The crowds and the press watch the ensuing, heart-stopping drama through telescopes from the inn and chalets below.
A terrible point of no return is reached. Under unimaginable conditions, the men fight for survival, trying to do what’s right when everything’s gone wrong. This extraordinary drama does not relent. It held me in a freezing visceral grip. I was on the mountain with these men and never once felt that it was anything less than real. If you have a need to climb the Eiger, please make note of the Hinterstoisser Traverse. Director Philipp Stoelzl superbly captures the dangers, the daring and the tragedy.
K. Swanson said
September 2 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Review by K. Swanson for North Face
Rating:
4.6 stars
It’s a pleasure to watch a film that covers all the dramatic bases well. Nordwand starts pleasantly, introducing the characters one by one with subtle details that say volumes but with little effort. We get to know the people, and then the adventure begins. I could really feel for these guys, and for once the love story didn’t seem tacked on; it plays out like an integral part of the movie.
In fact, the best performance here might be from Johana Wokalek, excellent as the young photographer—you can believe the love she portrays. But everyone is solid, and my only qualm might be that the last 30 minutes stretch a little too long, with too many tense close-ups etc. Still, the tension is real and I felt like I was there; the music is perfect, the sound of the snow and wind quite visceral, and I felt cold while watching this on a hot Texas night. That’s good filmmaking.
It helped a lot that I didn’t know the story ahead of time; if you also don’t, just watch the film before learning more. I was suitably surprised by what happens and never felt manipulated as in many films of this type. The climbing scenes are magnificent, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen, and you come away with huge respect for these early climbers and what they did with such basic equipment.
All in all, a gripping adventure recommended to fans of mountains, man vs. nature adventures, and even those who enjoy a low-key love story.
One quibble: I speak German and the subtitles are miles off in many parts, not even beginning to convey the subtlety of what these characters are saying at points. Imagine hearing “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” while reading, “It doesn’t matter.” If you’re going to spend this much on a movie, make the subtitles perfect! Bitte…
Touch of Class said
September 2 2010 @ 9:15 pm
Review by Touch of Class for North Face
Rating:
I am not a climber but wow! This film kept me at the edge of my seat. Beautiful scenes and filmed very, very well. This is a must see. Two Mountain Climbers set out to set a record along with the competition in 1936. The scenary was breathtaking as were the climbing scenes. Very well made. This film is in GERMAN just to let you know. Highly recommended!
The Tao of Netflix said
September 2 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Review by The Tao of Netflix for North Face
Rating:
This was a great viewing experience. It tells the story of the race to summit a certain mountain in the late 1930s just as Germany began to reassert itself throughout the world. Several aspects made this movie great. First, its very visceral – you really feel as if you’re trekking up the mountain with these guys; you feel their fear, their pain and they hopes. The camerawork is great, and there’s a few scenes where the downward view of the mountain is clearly portrayed in a, frankly, terrifying way. Second, the movie is a great peek into the social/nationalistic sentiments of pre-WWII Germany. The ascent of the mountain is viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate German pride as reporters swoon in to capture the story and laud the hopeful Germans as the conquerors. Its also a great period piece; strong work on recreating the feel (costumes, music, architecture, design, etc.). Overall, very highly recommended.