Tenzing (2026) Movie Script
1
[yak grunts]
[dramatic music playing]
[in Tibetan] Come on, Yeshi, keep up.
Are you okay, Yeshi?
Why are you so slow today?
[speaks Tibetan]
[chattering]
Who are they?
Foreigners.
Men from far away places.
Where did you get those shoes?
From the foreigners.
[foreigner speaks indistinctly]
[in English]
Looks like our head Sherpa's here.
And he's stolen my boots.
What's your name?
[in Tibetan] He wants to know your name.
Tenzing.
[in English] Pleased to meet you, Tenzing.
I'm Mallory.
- Mall...
- Mallory.
- Mallor... Mallory.
- That's it.
We're gonna try
and climb your big mountain.
[in Tibetan]
They say they will walk on Chomolungma.
Chomolungma!
Can I come too?
[in English] He says, he can come with us?
[chuckles] Next time.
When you're, um, bigger.
[in Tibetan] One day, when you're bigger
come find us in Darjeeling.
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Mother! Did you see the strange men?
I talked to one. Mallory.
He has hair all over his face, like a yak.
- [chuckling]
- They're going to walk on Chomolungma!
[mother] Do they think that?
They have big strong shoes.
The mother goddess does
not want to be climbed.
They will offend her.
She is the mountain-so-high-
no-bird-can-fly-over-her.
[breathing heavily]
[majestic music playing]
Chomolungma.
[announcer, in English] Since 1921,
expeditions have been trying
without success, to climb Mount Everest.
This year,
the Swiss are mounting a new push.
And their summit team has been chosen.
Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
will make the attempt.
But can the summit even be reached?
Lambert and Tenzing
are more than 28,000 feet high.
The highest point on earth
man has ever reached until this moment...
...but still not high enough.
A monsoon is in full force,
and the savage winds
sweeping down the south ridge
creates a barrier that cannot be passed.
Even though the goal is in sight,
to go further is to die.
They must turn back.
Lambert and Tenzing have risked
their lives for a chance to make history.
But the valiant Swiss attempt of 1952
has failed.
[tourist 1] So, which one is Everest?
[tourist 2] Uh, it's the big one.
No, no. Mount Everest
is the one way off in the distance.
With the plume.
No. That's not Everest.
It's too small to be Everest.
Please. Eat.
[tourist 2]
I'll eat my hat if that's Everest.
[tourist 1] Oh, stop.
[host]
Well, I'm so glad you enjoyed yourselves.
[tourist 1]
I dare say, even Roger enjoyed it.
Yes, well, uh,
I'll be feeling it still tonight.
- [host] You'll sleep well. I promise.
- Wait,
- ...isn't that our porter?
- Yes, that's our Tenzing.
He never said a word.
Well, you've just picnicked
with the man who's climbed
higher than any human's climbed before.
- Hmm.
- One, two, Everest.
The British have the permit
for the summit attempt this year.
What do you think?
[Tenzing grunts]
Six attempts is good.
I'm happy with the picnics.
[sighs] Tell me.
If the Swiss were asking,
would your answer be different?
But they are not.
So, you'd be absolutely content if
the British got up there without you?
Because I'd be upset if
they got there without you.
But why would I climb with the British?
They will never make me
a full climbing member.
Tenzing, I have a feeling
this could be the one.
You twisted my arm once to get up there.
You were so driven.
And now what?
You're just going to let it all go?
[host] "Dear Mr. Norgay,
we would like to offer you the position
of head Sherpa on the upcoming
British Expedition to Mount Everest.
We would expect you to select
a team of 20 high altitude Sherpas.
We will assemble in Kathmandu
on March 8, 1953."
[person] "And if all is well,
hope to ascend the mountain by May 15th.
With best wishes, Colonel John Hunt.
Expedition leader."
[in Sherpa] Auntie! Auntie!
Is he going back already?
[in English] Are you sure
you want to go again so soon?
You nearly died up there last year.
[in Sherpa] Papa.
You promised.
[in Tibetan] But the plague has spread
through the valley.
Other yaks too.
It did not start here. It's not our fault.
This house is for my herders.
You no longer have a herd.
[father] But where will we go?
Please sir. I beg you.
[landlord] Leave now! Go!
- Please sir. I beg you.
- [landlord] Go!
[crying]
[sighs]
[forlorn music playing]
[father] That's Nepal.
There will be work for us there.
[mother speaks Tibetan]
The boy is sick.
Help the man carry him inside.
[young Tenzing groaning]
[chattering]
[chattering continues]
[muffled] Tenzing.
We need to go now.
We need to find work.
You will regain your strength here.
You're not strong enough to come with us.
We will be back when we can.
[heartbeat thumping]
Mother!
Mother!
[in Sherpa] Papa.
What are you doing?
Coming with you.
[pants]
This means a lot to you, doesn't it?
It does.
But I promised you I wouldn't go back.
I know that people don't always return.
And we've already lost Mama.
I miss her.
I miss her too.
But I know she wanted this for you.
So I think you should go.
[Hunt, in English] Climbing member?
No, no, no.
You're going to be our head Sherpa.
With Monsieur Lambert,
I was on the climbing team.
Ah, yes. The Swiss.
They're practically socialists, you know?
No. It's never been done.
This is my condition.
If I come, I am on the climbing team.
[Hunt] Hmm.
What do you think, Jill?
Do you know how close that was?
Last year with Lambert.
777 feet.
They could taste it.
And Lambert learned
from Mallory's mistake.
You've got to leave enough in the tank
to get back down again.
Now, I've watched you, John.
How hungry you are.
A necessary quality up there.
He's hungrier than you.
[Hunt] Climbing member?
Why not?
With a chance at the summit?
Of course.
I'll never live it down, will I?
[chuckles]
[Tenzing] Thondup.
Thondup, namaste.
Welcome back. Good to see you.
Ah, Balu. Nice to see you.
- Who's this?
- Oh.
Balu nephew.
Ah. Welcome, welcome.
Thank you. There we go.
Pasang, namaste.
Namaste.
[in Sherpa]
See this one? He's our head Sherpa.
I was here when he got on
his first expedition.
He's an outsider. Can you believe it?
He's not even (an ethnic) Sherpa.
If you're not a Sherpa, then how
can you be head Sherpa?
[Jill] Pasang.
Do you think you can cope?
[sighs] Tenzing.
[in English]
You know you don't have to bring Pasang?
It's your choice now. The team.
I'm not choosing him because I like him.
I'm choosing him because we need him.
All right.
[in Sherpa] What are you saying about me?
Only good things, my friend.
[scoffs] Like I said.
Outsider.
You said her spirit is up there.
We want you to give this back to her.
[Tenzing sighs]
Three months.
- Three months!
- Three months.
[Hunt, in English] Tenzing.
Colonel Hunt.
Good man, you made it.
Madan, take the Sherpas to their quarters.
Okay, sir.
Chaps, this is Tenzing.
The man we've all been waiting for.
This is Tom Bourdillon.
One of our top climbers.
Photographer, Alf Gregory.
Michael Ward, our doctor.
- [Tenzing] Hi.
- George Lowe, one of our Kiwis.
Only two allowed.
- [group chuckles]
- My deputy leader,
and another fine climber, Charles Evans.
So, you're the one they made full
climbing member, eh?
You cheeky bugger.
Stobart over there, our cameraman.
And that's our other Kiwi. Ed Hillary.
Come and join us, man.
In a minute.
What is a Kiwi?
Uh, that's the question
we're all trying to answer, Tenzing.
[group chuckles]
[Hunt] Let me show you to your room.
[Tenzing] And my men?
Ah, yes, exactly.
The rooms are for
full climbing members only.
Like yourself.
We've made things comfortable
for your men in the old stable.
Thanks, but I will sleep in the stable.
[Sherpas chattering]
[Balu mutters in Sherpa]
[sighs]
At least it has a roof!
[speaks Sherpa]
[urinating]
[in English] Hey. Hello.
Uh, you can't do that.
We're trying to grow a lawn here.
For God's sake.
Tenzing, will you translate for me?
Mmm.
Men, we're sorry there's too many of you
to use the indoor facilities,
but we can't behave like animals
and disrespect our hosts.
[in Sherpa]
I am very sorry we disrespected you
and made you sleep
in the stables like animals.
[in English] I mean, not the lawns, chaps.
[in Sherpa] We are lucky to have you
on this expedition
and promise to treat you
with more respect in the future.
[in English] The ambassador is very cross.
[ambassador] Hmm.
Let's raise our game.
[in Sherpa]
He knows the ambassador is a fool.
So, let's bow our heads
and pretend we're sorry.
[in English] Thank you.
[chattering]
[Hunt] You're all here for a reason.
Your skills. Your experience.
I too am here for a reason.
In their wisdom,
the Royal Geographical Society
chose a military man
to lead this expedition,
and they expect me to run it
like a military operation.
That makes you all soldiers
with a patriotic responsibility.
Failure is not an option.
[Hunt] No one knows the impact on the body
at the highest heights.
What's possible up there.
What's the limit.
Yes, and I for one
don't want to die wondering.
[all chuckle]
[Hunt] We've been trying to climb
this mountain for 30 years,
and if we don't do it now...
[Tenzing, Sherpas chuckle]
...we'll miss our chance.
The French have the permits for next year.
The Swiss for 1955.
And we won't be back here till 1956,
and if one of those nations gets up first,
1956 is not going to matter.
Gentlemen, this is a British mountain.
[person] Yes, it is.
Hear, hear.
[Hunt] And Britain is depending on us.
We have a new queen.
Let's not let her down!
- Hear, hear.
- Hear, hear.
[Evans] We move out at 0600 hours,
and I'd like to remind you
not to overpack,
for whatever you carry, you'll be carrying
all the way to Base Camp.
And the higher we get,
the heavier it will feel.
[intrepid music playing]
[chattering]
[music continues]
[Sherpa groans]
[no audible dialogue]
[chattering]
[music fades]
So, uh...
I hear you met
the great George Mallory once.
I tried his boots on.
Good for you.
It was a big thing for me.
I don't doubt it.
And you?
You met him?
[chuckles]
Uh...
I was only three years old
when he died, so no.
I didn't have that pleasure.
But I did read a book about him.
When I was ten.
Devoured it.
What did you learn about him?
[inhales deeply]
Um, well, I suppose, um,
that, uh, he and I felt the same way
when we climbed.
What way is that?
Happy.
Free.
Up there in the mountains,
there's no one telling me what to do,
or who to be, or not be.
So, I was Mallory. [chuckles]
He wanted to be first, and...
so do I.
Mallory's the reason we're all here.
[chuckles] I was already here.
Oh... [chuckles] ...of course you were.
I just meant, you know, all this.
[sighs] Expeditions.
He believed it was possible.
He paved the way.
For all of us.
[inhales deeply]
Right, uh, better get back.
[Sherpas singing indistinctly]
[indistinct singing continues]
[ethereal music playing]
[sighs]
[exhales sharply]
[tools scraping]
[in Sherpa] Hey, Tenzing!
[young Tenzing sighs]
[insects chirping]
[music continues]
[gasps]
[parent shouts]
Dawa!
The boy is an outsider.
Don't speak to outsiders.
- Don't speak to my daughter.
- [speaks Sherpa]
[parent] Dhondup, you should know better!
[young Dhondup]
Don't say anything. Let's go.
[young Dawa] What are you doing?
[music fades]
What are you doing up here?
[young Tenzing] Looking.
At what?
Chomolungma. My mountain.
[scoffs]
It's not your mountain!
Your family is poor.
My father says so.
My family's coming back soon
to take me home.
But they left you here.
I'm stronger now.
They're coming back.
[young Dawa] When?
Soon.
[bells jangling]
[emotional music playing]
[speaks Sherpa]
[exhales deeply]
[Dawa] Tenzing!
Tenzing!
[grunts, chuckles]
Did you hear there's foreigners coming?
They want to try and climb your mountain.
- When?
- [Dawa] I don't know.
I heard they're going to set up
a big expedition in Darjeeling.
And they'll need Sherpas.
[music fades]
Darjeeling?
[exhales sharply]
Tenzing!
Don't go getting big ideas, my friend.
- [speaks Sherpa]
- [chuckles]
[chuckling]
Tenzing, back to work.
[sighs]
[cattle lowing]
[Tenzing] I'm going to Darjeeling.
To see if I can join that expedition.
When?
Soon.
Now.
Now is my chance to go there.
To meet Chomolungma.
And what will you say to her?
I don't know...
"Do you mind if I come in?"
Hmm.
- "I've bought you some yak's milk."
- [chuckles]
"Thanks, Tenzing."
- [chuckles]
- [Dawa chuckles]
But seriously...
What would you ask her?
[wind whistling]
[Tenzing] I'd ask her to bless...
...my life...
...my children.
Come with me.
Mr. Sepa.
[Sepa speaks Sherpa]
I want to marry Dawa
and move to Darjeeling
and climb Chomolungma with the foreigners.
I will join their expedition.
They will pay me lots of money
and I will give you grandchildren.
[Sepa] Tenzing Norgay.
Our servant boy.
You work hard.
You care for the yaks.
You've found your place here.
You're sensible.
I like that.
But what you're doing
right now is foolish.
- [speaks Sherpa]
- Impressive, yes, but foolish.
I will make a life--
My daughter will not marry a servant boy.
She will marry here.
Why do you think I would
allow her to be taken away?
But I will--
These are strange ideas.
You should not be having them.
Now get out of my sight!
[speaks Sherpa]
[ethereal music playing]
[in English] Sir!
Ah, Tenzing. There you are.
We must hold a Kurim.
- What is a Kurim?
- [music fades]
A blessing to ask
for protection from the Goddess.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
We've got a hell of a lot to do.
We must get her permission.
If she hears our prayers,
she will keep us safe.
How much time will it take?
Faster than you dying in an avalanche.
- [bells ringing]
- [chanting]
- [chanting continues]
- [throat singing]
[chanting stops]
[throat singing fades]
[in Sherpa] This one is the chief?
Yes.
May Chomolungma accept your prayers
and grant you safe passage.
[in English] Tenzing show you correct way.
I'm sure he will.
[speaks Sherpa]
Take care up there.
Rinpoche.
How do I know the correct way?
You just need to climb...
like a child climbs into its mother's lap.
- [whispering]
- [dramatic music playing]
[Sherpa speaking Sherpa]
[climbers chattering in English]
[Sherpas chattering in Sherpa]
[ethereal music playing]
[Rinpoche, in Sherpa]
Do you remember when he came here?
The boy with the mountain in his eyes.
The odds were against him.
But he's very determined.
- [music fades]
- That's why you're interested in him.
[both chuckle]
[inhaling deeply]
Tenzing says he will climb Chomolungma.
With the foreigners.
And you like this idea?
Rinpoche...
Is it wrong for him to have this dream?
It might simply be that Chomolungma is
calling him home.
Only he can know that.
[inhales sharply]
[cattle lowing]
What is it exactly that you think
is going to happen?
I'm serious.
How would we survive in Darjeeling?
What if you don't get on any expedition?
We will find the answers
to those questions.
- I promise--
- Tell me!
Just because you're obsessed,
doesn't mean everything
happens the way you plan.
I can offer you three things.
All my hope.
All my future.
And all my heart.
- That's all I have to offer you.
- [chuckles]
[ethereal music playing]
[laughing]
[music fades]
[in English] Yes,
didn't they call it the death zone?
There's a theory
that your cells die faster
- than your body can make new ones.
- [Evans] Sounds like fun.
- [Lowe] But we know why the Swiss failed.
- They left their run too late.
Yes, they got hit by a monsoon
at the end of May.
And that's what made you turn back,
Tenzing? Last year?
Too much wind. Yes.
And we ran out of oxygen.
But we've got double
the man power than the Swiss,
so there's no reason
we can't get the camps stocked
with oxygen and supplies
before the monsoon arrives.
We'll fix the ropes,
the Sherpas will follow with the loads.
We'll climb high and sleep low.
Four weeks, men.
Yes, that's right. Four weeks,
starting in the morning.
We need to get three tons of equipment
up through the Khumbu Icefall.
And please, everyone wearing crampons
unless you feel like sliding
into a crevasse.
Then, along the Western Cwm, where
we'll establish our advanced base camp
at the foot of the Lhotse Face.
Another week to get half a ton of supplies
straight up the Lhotse Face
to the South Col,
and only then can we make
an attempt on the summit.
And all before the monsoon hits.
[Hunt] Good.
[chattering indistinctly]
[dramatic music playing]
[Hillary] That'll hold.
[grunting]
- After you.
- Mmm. Mmm.
[panting]
Well done, Tenzing!
- [wind howling]
- [climbers breathing heavily]
- [ice cracking]
- [gasps]
[music stops]
[Bourdillon] Get down!
[wind howling]
[wind echoing softly]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[all panting]
- Everyone all right? All right.
- [grunts]
[dramatic music resumes]
We'll fix the ropes another
300 feet up, drop your loads there.
See you down at camp tonight.
[pants, grunts]
[music continues]
[groans]
[grunts, panting]
- [strains]
- [grunts]
Damn!
This looks like a dead end.
We'll retrace and shift east.
It's getting late.
Fresh eyes tomorrow.
[ethereal music playing]
[metal tapping]
[wind whistling]
Amazing.
[ice pick thudding]
[exhales sharply]
[ice pick blows echoing]
- [Bourdillon] What's happening?
- Well.
Tenzing. Tenzing's happening.
He's found a way across.
[Bourdillon] Oh. Impressive.
- [climbers cheer]
- [Bourdillon] Unbelievable.
Bravo!
Well done, Tenzing!
[grunts]
John, Tenzing made the crossing.
[Hunt] Good, this will save us some time.
[grunting]
[scoffs] Bloody show-off.
- [breathing heavily]
- [climbers cheering]
- [Tenzing chuckling]
- [laughs] Who's next?
[climbers chattering, laughing]
[Sherpa 1, in Sherpa] Uncle.
Where did you learn to climb
a crevasse like that?
From my friend, Monsieur Lambert.
He thinks he's one of them.
They're not your friends.
We get paid to carry.
They get to pretend they're heroes.
So let them.
- [in English] Sort of up center, then up...
- Just to the left...
- ...to the left...
- A bit rough.
...and then a little hook right
under that couloir.
[Hunt] We should pick up some speed now.
We've made good time.
Tenzing, you take the Sherpas down to
Base Camp to get the rest of the supplies.
We'll push up,
find a site for Advanced Base Camp.
But, Sir,
I know where the best campsite is.
Let me show you.
You may technically be a full climbing
member, but you're also our head Sherpa.
What I need you to do is get
all the heavy supplies up here now.
If something goes wrong with supplies,
everything goes wrong.
[Hillary clears throat]
He has been here before, John.
We need those loads up here now.
His job is to make that happen.
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Let's go.
[chattering indistinctly]
[wind whistling]
[wind howling]
[calls in Sherpa]
Come in here! In here!
- [sighs]
- [Sherpa chattering]
[speaks Sherpa]
[wind howling continues]
They should pay us more.
The Icefall is the most dangerous part.
Pasang.
You know that's not true.
The higher we go, the harder it gets.
They pay you enough not to care.
If they do make it up there,
that's it for us.
What?
Once someone gets to the top,
why would anyone want to do it again?
- [clears throat]
- Mmm.
He's got a point.
[employer speaks Sherpa]
[Dawa speaks Sherpa]
[employer speaks Sherpa]
[Dawa sighs]
Huh?
[groans, sniffles]
[sighs]
[teacher, in English] T is for?
[children, teacher] T is for "Tiger."
Y is for?
[children, teacher] Y is for "Yak!"
[teacher] G is for?
- [children] Gold!
- Tenzing.
- [teacher] Again.
- [children] G is for "Gold."
[teacher continues]
- [Tenzing sighs]
- [Dawa chuckles]
- [brays]
- [person speaks indistinctly]
I'll see you at home.
[sighs]
[Dawa] Tenzing.
[in English] Me, mountain.
Line up over there.
[in Nepalese] Over there.
[in English] Next!
[in Sherpa] What are these papers?
Letters of recommendation.
From who?
From expeditions.
You've been on expeditions?
Yes.
You need a letter of recommendation
to get on an expedition?
Yes.
So how do you get the first one?
You can't climb with long hair anyway.
[official, in English] Next.
Ah. Mr. Mountain.
- [in Nepalese] Name?
- Tenzing Norgay.
- Tribe?
- Bhotia.
Where from?
From Ghang La valley.
Across the mountains.
You have papers?
- [in English] He's Bhotia.
- What does that mean?
Not Sherpa. He's an outsider.
I'm sorry. Sherpas only.
[in Nepalese] Go now!
Tell her I met Mallory!
Mallory. Tell her--
I don't care.
- [in English] Did he say Mallory?
- [in Nepalese] Mallory. Yes! Mallory.
- [in English] He says he met him.
- What?
[Tenzing, in Nepalese] Foreigner.
- [in English] How old were you?
- [in Nepalese] How old were you?
- [in English] Next.
- You know he died up there?
[official] Hmm.
[in Nepalese] Pasang... twenty-two...
It says here you're a very good worker.
Get out of here! Go!
[Pasang speaking Nepalese]
[official, in English] Hmm.
It says here he's a very good worker.
It's a letter of recommendation.
[wind howling]
[speaking Sherpa]
[dramatic music playing]
[Hunt, in English] Good man, Tenzing.
We've got five days to get all the oxygen
and supplies up to the South Col.
What do you say, Tenzing?
I'm sorry,
but the higher we climb,
the slower we get.
I think it's gonna take about three weeks.
If it takes three weeks,
we'll be blown off the mountain,
like you were last year.
Let's do better than that.
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
Pemba, two ropes. Long ropes.
[climber] Yeah.
- All right? We're good?
- Yes.
You need help?
[climbers chattering indistinctly]
[tense music continues]
[grunting, panting]
[speaks Sherpa]
[in English] Eat.
[music continues]
[chattering]
[Gregory] Any last words?
You hear that?
[chattering]
[metal tapping]
[grunts]
- [ice cracks]
- [music fades]
[Hillary, Tenzing shout]
- [rumbling]
- [grunts]
[breathing heavily]
- [rumbling stops]
- [wind whistling]
[panting]
[exhales sharply]
[sighs]
[wind whistling]
[Hunt] If we don't make the South Col
until the 10th or even the 12th...
- [Hillary] Yes?
- [Hunt] ...one week later than planned--
Well, or the 21st, if Tenzing's right.
[Hunt] That cannot happen.
We may not have a choice, John.
Who is the final team, John?
[Hunt] Final team not chosen yet.
The lucky two for the final assault
will depend to some extent
on how people are performing at altitude.
And who's the best climber.
All right, Ed. Lovely to imagine a world
in which a Kiwi stands on the summit.
- [Bourdillon chuckles]
- [Hunt] All jokes aside,
all of you are in with a shot.
But only two of you are going
to step on the summit.
The rest of us will be in support.
The choice of who those two will be...
Ultimately,
that choice will be made on merit.
[Hunt] So, keep sharp. I'll be watching.
Tenzing!
Look...
I've been thinking.
Perhaps we should join forces, you and me.
Bourdillon and Evans have
already paired up.
They're good, but I think we could
give them a run for their money.
We'd be a good pair.
[dramatic music playing]
Yeah.
[grunting, panting]
[grunts]
[speaks Sherpa]
- [panting]
- [coughing]
[panting]
Michael, you can't sleep here.
If you sleep here, you'll never wake up.
Come. Up you come.
[climbers panting]
[coughing]
[sighs]
[no audible dialogue]
[music fades]
[wind howling]
[sighs]
- [wind howling]
- [inaudible]
- [coughs]
- [wind howling continues]
[reporter, on radio] Barometric pressure
795 millibars and falling.
A disturbance moving eastwards
across northern Nepal
is likely to cause extreme weather.
All indications now are
that the monsoon has moved northward
from the Bay of Bengal
and arrived in the higher Himalaya.
Change of plan. We're out of time.
Tenzing, pick eight Sherpas to establish
a high camp at the top of the fixed ropes.
They leave now, sleep there tonight,
and tomorrow push
all the way up to the South Col.
You stay here. I need you organizing
the loads for the big push.
But, John, beyond the high camp,
there are no fixed ropes in place.
We have no choice.
Organize the men, Tenzing.
And then, the fun begins. Hey, gentlemen?
The siege of Everest.
[speaks Sherpa]
[in Sherpa] Be careful.
What he's asking us to do is dangerous.
That's why I'm counting on you
to keep them safe.
Remind me, whose side are you on?
[wind whistling]
[Tenzing, in English] Ed. What is a siege?
[Hillary clears throat]
He means like, uh, the army.
War.
[Tenzing] War?
[Hillary] You know, you set up camps
and you surround a place,
until, eventually, the enemy surrenders.
"I give up. You win."
So, Colonel Hunt,
he sees Chomolungma as an enemy?
[chuckles]
I think the British see nature in general
as something to be conquered.
Maybe that's where
they have been going wrong.
Huh?
They see mountains, we see ourselves.
The mountains are the bones.
We are the blood.
[melancholic music playing]
[ice cracking]
[music fades]
[in Sherpa] Maybe my father was right.
The goddess doesn't want me to climb her.
[chuckles]
I'm not sure you've gotten close enough
for the goddess to notice you yet.
I promised I'd provide for you.
I promised you my future.
But now, why would you want that?
[Dawa sighs]
- [metal clatters]
- Tenzing.
Time for a haircut.
- [gasps]
- [chuckles]
[playful music playing]
[speaks Sherpa]
I am Tenzing.
I need your help.
Will you teach me
to say something in English?
It's urgent.
What do you need to say?
Uh...
There's a job.
I really need to get it.
I mean, not just for me...
for my wife...
You want to say all that in English?
[chuckles] No.
Um...
I just want to say,
"I am a very good worker, sir."
I am a very good worker, sir.
- Yes.
- Mmm. [clicks tongue]
[in English] Mister, I am...
[mutters in Sherpa]
[in English] ...worker.
Amazing... Amazing. Amazing worker.
Mister, I am amazing worker.
[in Sherpa] Can you say it again?
- [in English] Mister...
- "M-Mister"...
- ...I...
- ..."I"...
- ...am...
- ..."am"...
...amazing...
- amazing...
- ..."a-ma-zing"...
- ...worker.
- ..."worker."
- Mister...
- "Mister"...
- ...I...
- ..."I"...
- ...am... amazing...
- ..."am"... "amazing"...
- worker.
- ..."worker."
- [in Sherpa] That's it. Again.
- [in English] "Mister,
I... am
- amazing worker."
- Amazing worker.
[chuckles, speaks in Sherpa]
Please, let me pay you.
I will repay you one day.
- [teacher, in English] Come in, girls.
- [in Sherpa] Sorry.
- [in English] "Mister, I am...
- [teacher] Mister...
- ...a-amazing, uh, worker."
- ...amazing... worker.
- "Mister, I am amazing worker."
- Amazing.
"Worker... Mister, I am amazing worker."
"Mister, I am amazing worker."
"Mister, I am amazing..."
[sewing machine clicking]
- [playful music continues]
- "Mister, I am amazing..."
Uh... "I am amazing."
"Mister, I am amazing."
- Go to London...
- [footsteps approaching]
I am Mr. Amazing, worker.
- [music stops]
- [panting]
You are Mr. Amazing?
I am Mr. Amazing.
[laughing]
He's very persistent, this one.
- Shall I remove him, ma'am?
- No.
Young man, unless something has
changed since yesterday,
you're still not Sherpa,
and you still have no experience.
[official, in Nepalese] You're not going.
[in English] Surely we could squeeze in
an extra one?
I don't think the other Sherpas would be
very pleased. He's Bhotia.
"Bhotia." What does that actually mean?
Not good!
It means he's from another clan
across the border.
It's like saying
he's Scottish instead of English.
I see.
A colorful Scotsman.
Let's give it a shot, shall we?
I say yes.
Well, looks like it's your lucky day.
[in Nepalese] Now you're going.
[chuckles]
[pants]
[in Sherpa] I got it.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sobbing]
[emotional music playing]
Tenzing!
Take care.
I'll be with you up there.
- [music fades]
- [sighs]
[wind blowing]
Uncle.
No one will move. You need to go up there.
- What are you talking about?
- No one will move.
- No one will work.
- Why?
They say they've gone high enough.
- They want to come back down.
- This is Pasang, isn't it?
[in English] What's going on?
The Sherpas are sick. I'm going up there.
- Who's sick? They can't all be sick.
- They want to come back down, sir.
No, they don't. I'm going up there.
It's not a problem.
It's a damn problem if they won't work.
I'm fixing it. I'm going now.
If those loads don't arrive
at the South Col tomorrow, it's over.
What's this all about, John?
Apparently the damned porters have
downed tools.
I'm going now. I'm going.
No, no. You can't go up there now, man.
It'll be dark in a few hours.
I'll come with you.
We'll be back for dinner.
Let's give it a go.
All right.
Tenzing, whatever's going on up there,
I need you to deal with it.
If you don't, we're ruined.
You understand?
- Yes.
- Go.
Twenty quid says it can't be done, Ed.
Twenty pounds, Tenzing.
They say we won't make it back for dinner.
[chuckles]
You're on.
Twenty quid. 6:30.
All right. Good luck.
I guess we'll see you tomorrow.
We'll see you tonight. 6:30.
[dramatic music playing]
[panting]
[Hillary grunts]
[Tenzing sighs]
[murmuring]
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Pasang.
You're supposed to be carrying
all the way to the South Col today.
Things change.
Look.
We're almost up the Lhotse Face.
And we're almost out of time.
If we fail, then we will all go home
in shame.
Your shame! Not ours!
You only care about some crazy dream.
Their dream. Not ours.
We just want to get paid
and get home alive.
And so do I! I have two daughters!
And I plan to see them again.
If she does not like it, she will kill us.
She means us no harm.
She knows we are seeking her.
You might be seeking her.
We just want to stay alive.
This expedition
is not possible without you.
None of them have ever been
possible without us.
But none of them
have ever failed because of us.
[Balu] Tenzing.
None of us have ever
been this close before.
Stabbing our spikes into her body.
Now her shoulders.
We did not know it would feel like this.
I climb to know her better.
Don't you?
If we pray to her, she will protect us,
as she has done so far.
Once you're up on her shoulders,
you'll be so close
you can whisper that prayer in her ear.
And besides...
she'll definitely be impressed
when she sees how handsome you are.
[Sherpas laughing]
[emotional music playing]
[shouts]
[Sherpas shouting]
[Hillary, in English]
I see no one's sick anymore.
I'm impressed.
You're a doctor.
Now, if only we can win this bet.
Let's show them what's what with merit.
Yes.
[Hillary] They're up, they're up
And when they were down
They were down
And when they were only halfway up
They were neither up nor down
Oh, the grand old Duke of York
Had ten thousand men
He marched them up
To the top of the hill
And he marched them down again
And when they were up, they were up
And when they were down
They were down
- [cracking]
- [grunting]
[strains]
[Tenzing] Ed!
- Ed!
- It's okay!
I'm all right! [grunts]
[groans]
[gasping, panting]
[tense music playing]
[grunts]
Shit.
[straining]
Tenzing! Have you got me?
I've got you!
[straining, grunts]
[groans]
[exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[straining]
[strains]
[straining]
[panting]
- [grunts]
- [music stops]
[panting]
[laughs]
[sighs deeply]
Thank God.
How did you go?
Good. They will finish the job.
[Hunt] Well done.
Quite the feat, gentlemen.
[Tenzing, Hillary breathing heavily]
6:29.
Presume you're not carrying
any cash, Charlie?
Oh, no. I am impressed.
[sighs] I mean,
we would have been even earlier, but, uh...
Tenzing had a little mishap.
[chuckles]
Mm-hmm.
Yes. [chuckles]
Guess you're making the tea tonight.
I guess so.
[wind whistling]
[ethereal music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[sighs]
[Hillary sighs]
[Hunt] There they are.
They're almost there.
Tenzing, whatever you said or did,
- tip-top job.
- [music fades]
Well done.
[Hunt] The monsoon is upon us.
But we are still in the game.
The final assault, gentlemen.
And so, the assault team.
It is, as you'll understand,
not the easiest decision.
Nonetheless, after much weighing up...
Bourdillon, Evans. Congratulations.
- Wow.
- Myself,
Ed, Tenzing, Lowe, Ang Nyima.
We're the support team. We'll carry.
Leave Bourdillon and Evans fresh.
[mutters]
- Well.
- [Bourdillon] Charles.
[Hunt] We'll leave in an hour.
- Thank you, John.
- Come back in one piece, all right?
- We'll try.
- [Hillary] Good luck, Tom.
- Thank you, Ed.
- [Lowe] No pressure.
[Evans] None whatsoever!
[sighs]
I'm sorry, Tenzing.
It's not fair.
That word "merit" doesn't mean
who's the best.
[Hillary] True.
Evidently, it means
who's the best of the British.
[sighs]
They take care of their own.
They've made an empire of it.
Ed. Tenzing.
I'm sorry.
We shook hands.
All I ever agreed to was
that you would be a full climbing member,
which you are.
And that all full climbing members
would get a shot at the summit team,
as you did.
My job was to make the best decision
for this expedition.
As I've done.
- [intrepid music playing]
- [panting]
[panting]
[Tenzing exclaims]
[in Sherpa] You okay?
- Thank you, Pasang.
- [speaks Sherpa]
[sighs]
I mean it.
[wind blowing]
[coughing]
[breathes heavily]
[emotional music playing]
[chattering]
[speaks Sherpa]
[speaks Sherpa]
[grunts]
[muffled, speaks indistinctly]
[breathes deeply]
[music continues]
[breathing heavily]
[music fades]
[speaking indistinctly]
Good luck. Go make history.
[Evans, muffled] We'll do our best.
[Bourdillon, muffled] Try not to worry,
John. We'll see you tonight.
[Hillary] Come back safe!
[dramatic music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[music fades]
[coughs]
[Bourdillon] I'm so sorry, John.
I'm so sorry.
There's a steep ridge. Ice and rock.
[breathes shakily]
Just after the South Summit.
It's about 40 feet up high.
It's not possible.
It's not possible.
[Hunt] It's all right.
We've missed our window.
In this weather, we'll be lucky
to get back down unharmed.
It's over.
[mournful music playing]
- [mournful music continues]
- [cymbals striking]
[fire intensifies]
- [music stops]
- [fire crackling stops]
[breathing heavily]
Hillary!
Hillary!
Listen. Listen.
No wind.
We can make it, John.
We just need to start higher,
because now we know you can't do it
from here in one day.
Yes. We need a higher camp, sir.
You can't survive a night up there.
He already did. Last year.
Lowe, Pasang,
you take Evans and Bourdillon back down.
Ang Nyima and I will carry
oxygen and supplies.
So you two can conserve energy.
Sir, I go.
I help.
[in Sherpa] Let me finish the job.
- I want her to see how handsome I am.
- [laughs]
[in English] All right, then.
We have a plan.
- [breathing heavily]
- Good luck.
Good luck, sir.
[dramatic music playing]
[pants]
[pants]
[Hillary] Thank you, John.
- [music fades]
- You should go. The light is going.
[pants] We'll help set your tent.
No, no. Go.
Go. [pants]
Good luck up there.
Tenzing.
[in Sherpa] Take care.
Thank you.
Tenzing.
[breathing heavily]
May Chomolungma accept your prayers
and grant you
safe passage.
[breathing heavily]
[in English] How is your head?
It's, uh... [pants]
Drink.
[grunts] Have some of this.
How's yours?
[groans]
Ed,
are you married?
Nope. Not yet. [laughs]
I've got bees.
Bees?
You know, bees.
[imitates buzzing] Honey.
[speaks Sherpa]
[in English] Yeah, that's it.
And you?
Do you have a family?
I have two girls.
They wish they were here.
[sighs]
And they're with their mother?
Hey, Tenzing.
You'll come to New Zealand.
We'll climb our mountains.
[chuckles] I would like that very much.
Our mountains aren't as big as these ones,
but we'd have fun.
Everywhere you turn,
it's amazing.
Amazing.
"I am Mr. Amazing."
What?
I am Mr. Amazing.
- Oh, you are?
- Yeah.
[both laugh]
Okay. Good for you.
[chuckles]
[wind intensifies]
Are we gonna be all right, Tenzing?
You know the mountain better than anyone.
When I was a boy,
I used to tell people it was my mountain.
But it's not, Ed.
You do all these things.
You cut off your hair,
you follow orders...
you never stop thinking about it.
You say goodbye,
you come back,
you say goodbye again.
Why do you keep doing it?
[ethereal music playing]
[sniffling]
[breathing heavily]
- [music fades]
- [breathing heavily]
[oxygen tank hissing]
[dramatic music playing]
[muffled] Your lead.
- You alright?
- Yeah.
- [pants]
- [music fades]
[breathing heavily]
[heartbeat thumping]
[Dawa, echoing] Tenzing.
[mother] Tenzing.
[in Tibetan] Tenzing.
You're not strong enough
to come with us.
We will be back when we can.
Mother!
I can get stronger!
Mother!
Mother!
I can get stronger!
[ethereal music playing]
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Dawa...
I wasn't strong enough.
After you were gone,
I could no longer hear
the voice of the mountain.
Do I have her permission?
What if she says no?
[voice breaking] What if she rejects me?
All your hope.
All your future.
All your heart.
Do you remember when you promised me that?
This is the future.
We're in it.
You've known her your whole life.
She's calling you home.
[ethereal music continues]
[Hillary pants] Tenzing!
[pants] Tenzing!
Tenzing! [pants]
- Tenzing!
- [music stops]
[Tenzing breathing heavily]
[Hillary, in English]
Let's get you up. [grunting]
[breathing heavily]
You had a wee bit of hypoxia.
Your mask was completely iced up.
[panting]
You okay?
[Tenzing] Thank you.
Okay.
[wind whistling]
[tense music playing]
That must be
what Charlie was talking about.
[grunting, panting]
Let's give it a go.
[Tenzing] Okay.
[tense music continues]
[strains]
[grunts]
[strains, grunts]
Ed!
- [grunting, panting]
- Ed!
[Tenzing] You can do it!
[straining]
[music intensifies]
[strains]
[music fades]
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
[grunts]
[Hillary] That's it, Tenzing.
That's it.
[both grunt]
- [panting]
- [chuckles]
No.
After you.
[Tenzing] After you.
[both laughing]
[music fades]
[emotional music playing]
[music continues]
[Tenzing crying]
[sighing]
[chuckles]
Mr. Amazing.
Chomolungma.
[Hillary] Oh, wait.
[grunts]
The photo.
[music fades]
[shutter clicks]
[people chattering]
[emotional music resumes]
[no audible dialogue]
[Bourdillon] There they are. They're here.
What's the word?
[cheering, chattering]
We did it, George. We did it.
[music continues]
Well done.
Congratulations. Well done.
- Ed, you made it? Well done. Well done.
- Thank you.
Thank you, Tom.
You deserve this, Tenzing. Well done.
[speaks Sherpa]
[speaking Sherpa]
[speaks Sherpa]
[in Sherpa] Did you meet her?
Yes.
And she's beautiful.
[Thondup] Thank you to the Goddess!
[all laughing, cheering]
- [in English] Ed, you did it, man!
- We did it.
That's amazing! [laughing]
[all chanting]
[chuckling]
[sighs]
[music continues]
[yak grunts]
[dramatic music playing]
[in Tibetan] Come on, Yeshi, keep up.
Are you okay, Yeshi?
Why are you so slow today?
[speaks Tibetan]
[chattering]
Who are they?
Foreigners.
Men from far away places.
Where did you get those shoes?
From the foreigners.
[foreigner speaks indistinctly]
[in English]
Looks like our head Sherpa's here.
And he's stolen my boots.
What's your name?
[in Tibetan] He wants to know your name.
Tenzing.
[in English] Pleased to meet you, Tenzing.
I'm Mallory.
- Mall...
- Mallory.
- Mallor... Mallory.
- That's it.
We're gonna try
and climb your big mountain.
[in Tibetan]
They say they will walk on Chomolungma.
Chomolungma!
Can I come too?
[in English] He says, he can come with us?
[chuckles] Next time.
When you're, um, bigger.
[in Tibetan] One day, when you're bigger
come find us in Darjeeling.
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Mother! Did you see the strange men?
I talked to one. Mallory.
He has hair all over his face, like a yak.
- [chuckling]
- They're going to walk on Chomolungma!
[mother] Do they think that?
They have big strong shoes.
The mother goddess does
not want to be climbed.
They will offend her.
She is the mountain-so-high-
no-bird-can-fly-over-her.
[breathing heavily]
[majestic music playing]
Chomolungma.
[announcer, in English] Since 1921,
expeditions have been trying
without success, to climb Mount Everest.
This year,
the Swiss are mounting a new push.
And their summit team has been chosen.
Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
will make the attempt.
But can the summit even be reached?
Lambert and Tenzing
are more than 28,000 feet high.
The highest point on earth
man has ever reached until this moment...
...but still not high enough.
A monsoon is in full force,
and the savage winds
sweeping down the south ridge
creates a barrier that cannot be passed.
Even though the goal is in sight,
to go further is to die.
They must turn back.
Lambert and Tenzing have risked
their lives for a chance to make history.
But the valiant Swiss attempt of 1952
has failed.
[tourist 1] So, which one is Everest?
[tourist 2] Uh, it's the big one.
No, no. Mount Everest
is the one way off in the distance.
With the plume.
No. That's not Everest.
It's too small to be Everest.
Please. Eat.
[tourist 2]
I'll eat my hat if that's Everest.
[tourist 1] Oh, stop.
[host]
Well, I'm so glad you enjoyed yourselves.
[tourist 1]
I dare say, even Roger enjoyed it.
Yes, well, uh,
I'll be feeling it still tonight.
- [host] You'll sleep well. I promise.
- Wait,
- ...isn't that our porter?
- Yes, that's our Tenzing.
He never said a word.
Well, you've just picnicked
with the man who's climbed
higher than any human's climbed before.
- Hmm.
- One, two, Everest.
The British have the permit
for the summit attempt this year.
What do you think?
[Tenzing grunts]
Six attempts is good.
I'm happy with the picnics.
[sighs] Tell me.
If the Swiss were asking,
would your answer be different?
But they are not.
So, you'd be absolutely content if
the British got up there without you?
Because I'd be upset if
they got there without you.
But why would I climb with the British?
They will never make me
a full climbing member.
Tenzing, I have a feeling
this could be the one.
You twisted my arm once to get up there.
You were so driven.
And now what?
You're just going to let it all go?
[host] "Dear Mr. Norgay,
we would like to offer you the position
of head Sherpa on the upcoming
British Expedition to Mount Everest.
We would expect you to select
a team of 20 high altitude Sherpas.
We will assemble in Kathmandu
on March 8, 1953."
[person] "And if all is well,
hope to ascend the mountain by May 15th.
With best wishes, Colonel John Hunt.
Expedition leader."
[in Sherpa] Auntie! Auntie!
Is he going back already?
[in English] Are you sure
you want to go again so soon?
You nearly died up there last year.
[in Sherpa] Papa.
You promised.
[in Tibetan] But the plague has spread
through the valley.
Other yaks too.
It did not start here. It's not our fault.
This house is for my herders.
You no longer have a herd.
[father] But where will we go?
Please sir. I beg you.
[landlord] Leave now! Go!
- Please sir. I beg you.
- [landlord] Go!
[crying]
[sighs]
[forlorn music playing]
[father] That's Nepal.
There will be work for us there.
[mother speaks Tibetan]
The boy is sick.
Help the man carry him inside.
[young Tenzing groaning]
[chattering]
[chattering continues]
[muffled] Tenzing.
We need to go now.
We need to find work.
You will regain your strength here.
You're not strong enough to come with us.
We will be back when we can.
[heartbeat thumping]
Mother!
Mother!
[in Sherpa] Papa.
What are you doing?
Coming with you.
[pants]
This means a lot to you, doesn't it?
It does.
But I promised you I wouldn't go back.
I know that people don't always return.
And we've already lost Mama.
I miss her.
I miss her too.
But I know she wanted this for you.
So I think you should go.
[Hunt, in English] Climbing member?
No, no, no.
You're going to be our head Sherpa.
With Monsieur Lambert,
I was on the climbing team.
Ah, yes. The Swiss.
They're practically socialists, you know?
No. It's never been done.
This is my condition.
If I come, I am on the climbing team.
[Hunt] Hmm.
What do you think, Jill?
Do you know how close that was?
Last year with Lambert.
777 feet.
They could taste it.
And Lambert learned
from Mallory's mistake.
You've got to leave enough in the tank
to get back down again.
Now, I've watched you, John.
How hungry you are.
A necessary quality up there.
He's hungrier than you.
[Hunt] Climbing member?
Why not?
With a chance at the summit?
Of course.
I'll never live it down, will I?
[chuckles]
[Tenzing] Thondup.
Thondup, namaste.
Welcome back. Good to see you.
Ah, Balu. Nice to see you.
- Who's this?
- Oh.
Balu nephew.
Ah. Welcome, welcome.
Thank you. There we go.
Pasang, namaste.
Namaste.
[in Sherpa]
See this one? He's our head Sherpa.
I was here when he got on
his first expedition.
He's an outsider. Can you believe it?
He's not even (an ethnic) Sherpa.
If you're not a Sherpa, then how
can you be head Sherpa?
[Jill] Pasang.
Do you think you can cope?
[sighs] Tenzing.
[in English]
You know you don't have to bring Pasang?
It's your choice now. The team.
I'm not choosing him because I like him.
I'm choosing him because we need him.
All right.
[in Sherpa] What are you saying about me?
Only good things, my friend.
[scoffs] Like I said.
Outsider.
You said her spirit is up there.
We want you to give this back to her.
[Tenzing sighs]
Three months.
- Three months!
- Three months.
[Hunt, in English] Tenzing.
Colonel Hunt.
Good man, you made it.
Madan, take the Sherpas to their quarters.
Okay, sir.
Chaps, this is Tenzing.
The man we've all been waiting for.
This is Tom Bourdillon.
One of our top climbers.
Photographer, Alf Gregory.
Michael Ward, our doctor.
- [Tenzing] Hi.
- George Lowe, one of our Kiwis.
Only two allowed.
- [group chuckles]
- My deputy leader,
and another fine climber, Charles Evans.
So, you're the one they made full
climbing member, eh?
You cheeky bugger.
Stobart over there, our cameraman.
And that's our other Kiwi. Ed Hillary.
Come and join us, man.
In a minute.
What is a Kiwi?
Uh, that's the question
we're all trying to answer, Tenzing.
[group chuckles]
[Hunt] Let me show you to your room.
[Tenzing] And my men?
Ah, yes, exactly.
The rooms are for
full climbing members only.
Like yourself.
We've made things comfortable
for your men in the old stable.
Thanks, but I will sleep in the stable.
[Sherpas chattering]
[Balu mutters in Sherpa]
[sighs]
At least it has a roof!
[speaks Sherpa]
[urinating]
[in English] Hey. Hello.
Uh, you can't do that.
We're trying to grow a lawn here.
For God's sake.
Tenzing, will you translate for me?
Mmm.
Men, we're sorry there's too many of you
to use the indoor facilities,
but we can't behave like animals
and disrespect our hosts.
[in Sherpa]
I am very sorry we disrespected you
and made you sleep
in the stables like animals.
[in English] I mean, not the lawns, chaps.
[in Sherpa] We are lucky to have you
on this expedition
and promise to treat you
with more respect in the future.
[in English] The ambassador is very cross.
[ambassador] Hmm.
Let's raise our game.
[in Sherpa]
He knows the ambassador is a fool.
So, let's bow our heads
and pretend we're sorry.
[in English] Thank you.
[chattering]
[Hunt] You're all here for a reason.
Your skills. Your experience.
I too am here for a reason.
In their wisdom,
the Royal Geographical Society
chose a military man
to lead this expedition,
and they expect me to run it
like a military operation.
That makes you all soldiers
with a patriotic responsibility.
Failure is not an option.
[Hunt] No one knows the impact on the body
at the highest heights.
What's possible up there.
What's the limit.
Yes, and I for one
don't want to die wondering.
[all chuckle]
[Hunt] We've been trying to climb
this mountain for 30 years,
and if we don't do it now...
[Tenzing, Sherpas chuckle]
...we'll miss our chance.
The French have the permits for next year.
The Swiss for 1955.
And we won't be back here till 1956,
and if one of those nations gets up first,
1956 is not going to matter.
Gentlemen, this is a British mountain.
[person] Yes, it is.
Hear, hear.
[Hunt] And Britain is depending on us.
We have a new queen.
Let's not let her down!
- Hear, hear.
- Hear, hear.
[Evans] We move out at 0600 hours,
and I'd like to remind you
not to overpack,
for whatever you carry, you'll be carrying
all the way to Base Camp.
And the higher we get,
the heavier it will feel.
[intrepid music playing]
[chattering]
[music continues]
[Sherpa groans]
[no audible dialogue]
[chattering]
[music fades]
So, uh...
I hear you met
the great George Mallory once.
I tried his boots on.
Good for you.
It was a big thing for me.
I don't doubt it.
And you?
You met him?
[chuckles]
Uh...
I was only three years old
when he died, so no.
I didn't have that pleasure.
But I did read a book about him.
When I was ten.
Devoured it.
What did you learn about him?
[inhales deeply]
Um, well, I suppose, um,
that, uh, he and I felt the same way
when we climbed.
What way is that?
Happy.
Free.
Up there in the mountains,
there's no one telling me what to do,
or who to be, or not be.
So, I was Mallory. [chuckles]
He wanted to be first, and...
so do I.
Mallory's the reason we're all here.
[chuckles] I was already here.
Oh... [chuckles] ...of course you were.
I just meant, you know, all this.
[sighs] Expeditions.
He believed it was possible.
He paved the way.
For all of us.
[inhales deeply]
Right, uh, better get back.
[Sherpas singing indistinctly]
[indistinct singing continues]
[ethereal music playing]
[sighs]
[exhales sharply]
[tools scraping]
[in Sherpa] Hey, Tenzing!
[young Tenzing sighs]
[insects chirping]
[music continues]
[gasps]
[parent shouts]
Dawa!
The boy is an outsider.
Don't speak to outsiders.
- Don't speak to my daughter.
- [speaks Sherpa]
[parent] Dhondup, you should know better!
[young Dhondup]
Don't say anything. Let's go.
[young Dawa] What are you doing?
[music fades]
What are you doing up here?
[young Tenzing] Looking.
At what?
Chomolungma. My mountain.
[scoffs]
It's not your mountain!
Your family is poor.
My father says so.
My family's coming back soon
to take me home.
But they left you here.
I'm stronger now.
They're coming back.
[young Dawa] When?
Soon.
[bells jangling]
[emotional music playing]
[speaks Sherpa]
[exhales deeply]
[Dawa] Tenzing!
Tenzing!
[grunts, chuckles]
Did you hear there's foreigners coming?
They want to try and climb your mountain.
- When?
- [Dawa] I don't know.
I heard they're going to set up
a big expedition in Darjeeling.
And they'll need Sherpas.
[music fades]
Darjeeling?
[exhales sharply]
Tenzing!
Don't go getting big ideas, my friend.
- [speaks Sherpa]
- [chuckles]
[chuckling]
Tenzing, back to work.
[sighs]
[cattle lowing]
[Tenzing] I'm going to Darjeeling.
To see if I can join that expedition.
When?
Soon.
Now.
Now is my chance to go there.
To meet Chomolungma.
And what will you say to her?
I don't know...
"Do you mind if I come in?"
Hmm.
- "I've bought you some yak's milk."
- [chuckles]
"Thanks, Tenzing."
- [chuckles]
- [Dawa chuckles]
But seriously...
What would you ask her?
[wind whistling]
[Tenzing] I'd ask her to bless...
...my life...
...my children.
Come with me.
Mr. Sepa.
[Sepa speaks Sherpa]
I want to marry Dawa
and move to Darjeeling
and climb Chomolungma with the foreigners.
I will join their expedition.
They will pay me lots of money
and I will give you grandchildren.
[Sepa] Tenzing Norgay.
Our servant boy.
You work hard.
You care for the yaks.
You've found your place here.
You're sensible.
I like that.
But what you're doing
right now is foolish.
- [speaks Sherpa]
- Impressive, yes, but foolish.
I will make a life--
My daughter will not marry a servant boy.
She will marry here.
Why do you think I would
allow her to be taken away?
But I will--
These are strange ideas.
You should not be having them.
Now get out of my sight!
[speaks Sherpa]
[ethereal music playing]
[in English] Sir!
Ah, Tenzing. There you are.
We must hold a Kurim.
- What is a Kurim?
- [music fades]
A blessing to ask
for protection from the Goddess.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
We've got a hell of a lot to do.
We must get her permission.
If she hears our prayers,
she will keep us safe.
How much time will it take?
Faster than you dying in an avalanche.
- [bells ringing]
- [chanting]
- [chanting continues]
- [throat singing]
[chanting stops]
[throat singing fades]
[in Sherpa] This one is the chief?
Yes.
May Chomolungma accept your prayers
and grant you safe passage.
[in English] Tenzing show you correct way.
I'm sure he will.
[speaks Sherpa]
Take care up there.
Rinpoche.
How do I know the correct way?
You just need to climb...
like a child climbs into its mother's lap.
- [whispering]
- [dramatic music playing]
[Sherpa speaking Sherpa]
[climbers chattering in English]
[Sherpas chattering in Sherpa]
[ethereal music playing]
[Rinpoche, in Sherpa]
Do you remember when he came here?
The boy with the mountain in his eyes.
The odds were against him.
But he's very determined.
- [music fades]
- That's why you're interested in him.
[both chuckle]
[inhaling deeply]
Tenzing says he will climb Chomolungma.
With the foreigners.
And you like this idea?
Rinpoche...
Is it wrong for him to have this dream?
It might simply be that Chomolungma is
calling him home.
Only he can know that.
[inhales sharply]
[cattle lowing]
What is it exactly that you think
is going to happen?
I'm serious.
How would we survive in Darjeeling?
What if you don't get on any expedition?
We will find the answers
to those questions.
- I promise--
- Tell me!
Just because you're obsessed,
doesn't mean everything
happens the way you plan.
I can offer you three things.
All my hope.
All my future.
And all my heart.
- That's all I have to offer you.
- [chuckles]
[ethereal music playing]
[laughing]
[music fades]
[in English] Yes,
didn't they call it the death zone?
There's a theory
that your cells die faster
- than your body can make new ones.
- [Evans] Sounds like fun.
- [Lowe] But we know why the Swiss failed.
- They left their run too late.
Yes, they got hit by a monsoon
at the end of May.
And that's what made you turn back,
Tenzing? Last year?
Too much wind. Yes.
And we ran out of oxygen.
But we've got double
the man power than the Swiss,
so there's no reason
we can't get the camps stocked
with oxygen and supplies
before the monsoon arrives.
We'll fix the ropes,
the Sherpas will follow with the loads.
We'll climb high and sleep low.
Four weeks, men.
Yes, that's right. Four weeks,
starting in the morning.
We need to get three tons of equipment
up through the Khumbu Icefall.
And please, everyone wearing crampons
unless you feel like sliding
into a crevasse.
Then, along the Western Cwm, where
we'll establish our advanced base camp
at the foot of the Lhotse Face.
Another week to get half a ton of supplies
straight up the Lhotse Face
to the South Col,
and only then can we make
an attempt on the summit.
And all before the monsoon hits.
[Hunt] Good.
[chattering indistinctly]
[dramatic music playing]
[Hillary] That'll hold.
[grunting]
- After you.
- Mmm. Mmm.
[panting]
Well done, Tenzing!
- [wind howling]
- [climbers breathing heavily]
- [ice cracking]
- [gasps]
[music stops]
[Bourdillon] Get down!
[wind howling]
[wind echoing softly]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[all panting]
- Everyone all right? All right.
- [grunts]
[dramatic music resumes]
We'll fix the ropes another
300 feet up, drop your loads there.
See you down at camp tonight.
[pants, grunts]
[music continues]
[groans]
[grunts, panting]
- [strains]
- [grunts]
Damn!
This looks like a dead end.
We'll retrace and shift east.
It's getting late.
Fresh eyes tomorrow.
[ethereal music playing]
[metal tapping]
[wind whistling]
Amazing.
[ice pick thudding]
[exhales sharply]
[ice pick blows echoing]
- [Bourdillon] What's happening?
- Well.
Tenzing. Tenzing's happening.
He's found a way across.
[Bourdillon] Oh. Impressive.
- [climbers cheer]
- [Bourdillon] Unbelievable.
Bravo!
Well done, Tenzing!
[grunts]
John, Tenzing made the crossing.
[Hunt] Good, this will save us some time.
[grunting]
[scoffs] Bloody show-off.
- [breathing heavily]
- [climbers cheering]
- [Tenzing chuckling]
- [laughs] Who's next?
[climbers chattering, laughing]
[Sherpa 1, in Sherpa] Uncle.
Where did you learn to climb
a crevasse like that?
From my friend, Monsieur Lambert.
He thinks he's one of them.
They're not your friends.
We get paid to carry.
They get to pretend they're heroes.
So let them.
- [in English] Sort of up center, then up...
- Just to the left...
- ...to the left...
- A bit rough.
...and then a little hook right
under that couloir.
[Hunt] We should pick up some speed now.
We've made good time.
Tenzing, you take the Sherpas down to
Base Camp to get the rest of the supplies.
We'll push up,
find a site for Advanced Base Camp.
But, Sir,
I know where the best campsite is.
Let me show you.
You may technically be a full climbing
member, but you're also our head Sherpa.
What I need you to do is get
all the heavy supplies up here now.
If something goes wrong with supplies,
everything goes wrong.
[Hillary clears throat]
He has been here before, John.
We need those loads up here now.
His job is to make that happen.
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Let's go.
[chattering indistinctly]
[wind whistling]
[wind howling]
[calls in Sherpa]
Come in here! In here!
- [sighs]
- [Sherpa chattering]
[speaks Sherpa]
[wind howling continues]
They should pay us more.
The Icefall is the most dangerous part.
Pasang.
You know that's not true.
The higher we go, the harder it gets.
They pay you enough not to care.
If they do make it up there,
that's it for us.
What?
Once someone gets to the top,
why would anyone want to do it again?
- [clears throat]
- Mmm.
He's got a point.
[employer speaks Sherpa]
[Dawa speaks Sherpa]
[employer speaks Sherpa]
[Dawa sighs]
Huh?
[groans, sniffles]
[sighs]
[teacher, in English] T is for?
[children, teacher] T is for "Tiger."
Y is for?
[children, teacher] Y is for "Yak!"
[teacher] G is for?
- [children] Gold!
- Tenzing.
- [teacher] Again.
- [children] G is for "Gold."
[teacher continues]
- [Tenzing sighs]
- [Dawa chuckles]
- [brays]
- [person speaks indistinctly]
I'll see you at home.
[sighs]
[Dawa] Tenzing.
[in English] Me, mountain.
Line up over there.
[in Nepalese] Over there.
[in English] Next!
[in Sherpa] What are these papers?
Letters of recommendation.
From who?
From expeditions.
You've been on expeditions?
Yes.
You need a letter of recommendation
to get on an expedition?
Yes.
So how do you get the first one?
You can't climb with long hair anyway.
[official, in English] Next.
Ah. Mr. Mountain.
- [in Nepalese] Name?
- Tenzing Norgay.
- Tribe?
- Bhotia.
Where from?
From Ghang La valley.
Across the mountains.
You have papers?
- [in English] He's Bhotia.
- What does that mean?
Not Sherpa. He's an outsider.
I'm sorry. Sherpas only.
[in Nepalese] Go now!
Tell her I met Mallory!
Mallory. Tell her--
I don't care.
- [in English] Did he say Mallory?
- [in Nepalese] Mallory. Yes! Mallory.
- [in English] He says he met him.
- What?
[Tenzing, in Nepalese] Foreigner.
- [in English] How old were you?
- [in Nepalese] How old were you?
- [in English] Next.
- You know he died up there?
[official] Hmm.
[in Nepalese] Pasang... twenty-two...
It says here you're a very good worker.
Get out of here! Go!
[Pasang speaking Nepalese]
[official, in English] Hmm.
It says here he's a very good worker.
It's a letter of recommendation.
[wind howling]
[speaking Sherpa]
[dramatic music playing]
[Hunt, in English] Good man, Tenzing.
We've got five days to get all the oxygen
and supplies up to the South Col.
What do you say, Tenzing?
I'm sorry,
but the higher we climb,
the slower we get.
I think it's gonna take about three weeks.
If it takes three weeks,
we'll be blown off the mountain,
like you were last year.
Let's do better than that.
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
Pemba, two ropes. Long ropes.
[climber] Yeah.
- All right? We're good?
- Yes.
You need help?
[climbers chattering indistinctly]
[tense music continues]
[grunting, panting]
[speaks Sherpa]
[in English] Eat.
[music continues]
[chattering]
[Gregory] Any last words?
You hear that?
[chattering]
[metal tapping]
[grunts]
- [ice cracks]
- [music fades]
[Hillary, Tenzing shout]
- [rumbling]
- [grunts]
[breathing heavily]
- [rumbling stops]
- [wind whistling]
[panting]
[exhales sharply]
[sighs]
[wind whistling]
[Hunt] If we don't make the South Col
until the 10th or even the 12th...
- [Hillary] Yes?
- [Hunt] ...one week later than planned--
Well, or the 21st, if Tenzing's right.
[Hunt] That cannot happen.
We may not have a choice, John.
Who is the final team, John?
[Hunt] Final team not chosen yet.
The lucky two for the final assault
will depend to some extent
on how people are performing at altitude.
And who's the best climber.
All right, Ed. Lovely to imagine a world
in which a Kiwi stands on the summit.
- [Bourdillon chuckles]
- [Hunt] All jokes aside,
all of you are in with a shot.
But only two of you are going
to step on the summit.
The rest of us will be in support.
The choice of who those two will be...
Ultimately,
that choice will be made on merit.
[Hunt] So, keep sharp. I'll be watching.
Tenzing!
Look...
I've been thinking.
Perhaps we should join forces, you and me.
Bourdillon and Evans have
already paired up.
They're good, but I think we could
give them a run for their money.
We'd be a good pair.
[dramatic music playing]
Yeah.
[grunting, panting]
[grunts]
[speaks Sherpa]
- [panting]
- [coughing]
[panting]
Michael, you can't sleep here.
If you sleep here, you'll never wake up.
Come. Up you come.
[climbers panting]
[coughing]
[sighs]
[no audible dialogue]
[music fades]
[wind howling]
[sighs]
- [wind howling]
- [inaudible]
- [coughs]
- [wind howling continues]
[reporter, on radio] Barometric pressure
795 millibars and falling.
A disturbance moving eastwards
across northern Nepal
is likely to cause extreme weather.
All indications now are
that the monsoon has moved northward
from the Bay of Bengal
and arrived in the higher Himalaya.
Change of plan. We're out of time.
Tenzing, pick eight Sherpas to establish
a high camp at the top of the fixed ropes.
They leave now, sleep there tonight,
and tomorrow push
all the way up to the South Col.
You stay here. I need you organizing
the loads for the big push.
But, John, beyond the high camp,
there are no fixed ropes in place.
We have no choice.
Organize the men, Tenzing.
And then, the fun begins. Hey, gentlemen?
The siege of Everest.
[speaks Sherpa]
[in Sherpa] Be careful.
What he's asking us to do is dangerous.
That's why I'm counting on you
to keep them safe.
Remind me, whose side are you on?
[wind whistling]
[Tenzing, in English] Ed. What is a siege?
[Hillary clears throat]
He means like, uh, the army.
War.
[Tenzing] War?
[Hillary] You know, you set up camps
and you surround a place,
until, eventually, the enemy surrenders.
"I give up. You win."
So, Colonel Hunt,
he sees Chomolungma as an enemy?
[chuckles]
I think the British see nature in general
as something to be conquered.
Maybe that's where
they have been going wrong.
Huh?
They see mountains, we see ourselves.
The mountains are the bones.
We are the blood.
[melancholic music playing]
[ice cracking]
[music fades]
[in Sherpa] Maybe my father was right.
The goddess doesn't want me to climb her.
[chuckles]
I'm not sure you've gotten close enough
for the goddess to notice you yet.
I promised I'd provide for you.
I promised you my future.
But now, why would you want that?
[Dawa sighs]
- [metal clatters]
- Tenzing.
Time for a haircut.
- [gasps]
- [chuckles]
[playful music playing]
[speaks Sherpa]
I am Tenzing.
I need your help.
Will you teach me
to say something in English?
It's urgent.
What do you need to say?
Uh...
There's a job.
I really need to get it.
I mean, not just for me...
for my wife...
You want to say all that in English?
[chuckles] No.
Um...
I just want to say,
"I am a very good worker, sir."
I am a very good worker, sir.
- Yes.
- Mmm. [clicks tongue]
[in English] Mister, I am...
[mutters in Sherpa]
[in English] ...worker.
Amazing... Amazing. Amazing worker.
Mister, I am amazing worker.
[in Sherpa] Can you say it again?
- [in English] Mister...
- "M-Mister"...
- ...I...
- ..."I"...
- ...am...
- ..."am"...
...amazing...
- amazing...
- ..."a-ma-zing"...
- ...worker.
- ..."worker."
- Mister...
- "Mister"...
- ...I...
- ..."I"...
- ...am... amazing...
- ..."am"... "amazing"...
- worker.
- ..."worker."
- [in Sherpa] That's it. Again.
- [in English] "Mister,
I... am
- amazing worker."
- Amazing worker.
[chuckles, speaks in Sherpa]
Please, let me pay you.
I will repay you one day.
- [teacher, in English] Come in, girls.
- [in Sherpa] Sorry.
- [in English] "Mister, I am...
- [teacher] Mister...
- ...a-amazing, uh, worker."
- ...amazing... worker.
- "Mister, I am amazing worker."
- Amazing.
"Worker... Mister, I am amazing worker."
"Mister, I am amazing worker."
"Mister, I am amazing..."
[sewing machine clicking]
- [playful music continues]
- "Mister, I am amazing..."
Uh... "I am amazing."
"Mister, I am amazing."
- Go to London...
- [footsteps approaching]
I am Mr. Amazing, worker.
- [music stops]
- [panting]
You are Mr. Amazing?
I am Mr. Amazing.
[laughing]
He's very persistent, this one.
- Shall I remove him, ma'am?
- No.
Young man, unless something has
changed since yesterday,
you're still not Sherpa,
and you still have no experience.
[official, in Nepalese] You're not going.
[in English] Surely we could squeeze in
an extra one?
I don't think the other Sherpas would be
very pleased. He's Bhotia.
"Bhotia." What does that actually mean?
Not good!
It means he's from another clan
across the border.
It's like saying
he's Scottish instead of English.
I see.
A colorful Scotsman.
Let's give it a shot, shall we?
I say yes.
Well, looks like it's your lucky day.
[in Nepalese] Now you're going.
[chuckles]
[pants]
[in Sherpa] I got it.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sobbing]
[emotional music playing]
Tenzing!
Take care.
I'll be with you up there.
- [music fades]
- [sighs]
[wind blowing]
Uncle.
No one will move. You need to go up there.
- What are you talking about?
- No one will move.
- No one will work.
- Why?
They say they've gone high enough.
- They want to come back down.
- This is Pasang, isn't it?
[in English] What's going on?
The Sherpas are sick. I'm going up there.
- Who's sick? They can't all be sick.
- They want to come back down, sir.
No, they don't. I'm going up there.
It's not a problem.
It's a damn problem if they won't work.
I'm fixing it. I'm going now.
If those loads don't arrive
at the South Col tomorrow, it's over.
What's this all about, John?
Apparently the damned porters have
downed tools.
I'm going now. I'm going.
No, no. You can't go up there now, man.
It'll be dark in a few hours.
I'll come with you.
We'll be back for dinner.
Let's give it a go.
All right.
Tenzing, whatever's going on up there,
I need you to deal with it.
If you don't, we're ruined.
You understand?
- Yes.
- Go.
Twenty quid says it can't be done, Ed.
Twenty pounds, Tenzing.
They say we won't make it back for dinner.
[chuckles]
You're on.
Twenty quid. 6:30.
All right. Good luck.
I guess we'll see you tomorrow.
We'll see you tonight. 6:30.
[dramatic music playing]
[panting]
[Hillary grunts]
[Tenzing sighs]
[murmuring]
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Pasang.
You're supposed to be carrying
all the way to the South Col today.
Things change.
Look.
We're almost up the Lhotse Face.
And we're almost out of time.
If we fail, then we will all go home
in shame.
Your shame! Not ours!
You only care about some crazy dream.
Their dream. Not ours.
We just want to get paid
and get home alive.
And so do I! I have two daughters!
And I plan to see them again.
If she does not like it, she will kill us.
She means us no harm.
She knows we are seeking her.
You might be seeking her.
We just want to stay alive.
This expedition
is not possible without you.
None of them have ever been
possible without us.
But none of them
have ever failed because of us.
[Balu] Tenzing.
None of us have ever
been this close before.
Stabbing our spikes into her body.
Now her shoulders.
We did not know it would feel like this.
I climb to know her better.
Don't you?
If we pray to her, she will protect us,
as she has done so far.
Once you're up on her shoulders,
you'll be so close
you can whisper that prayer in her ear.
And besides...
she'll definitely be impressed
when she sees how handsome you are.
[Sherpas laughing]
[emotional music playing]
[shouts]
[Sherpas shouting]
[Hillary, in English]
I see no one's sick anymore.
I'm impressed.
You're a doctor.
Now, if only we can win this bet.
Let's show them what's what with merit.
Yes.
[Hillary] They're up, they're up
And when they were down
They were down
And when they were only halfway up
They were neither up nor down
Oh, the grand old Duke of York
Had ten thousand men
He marched them up
To the top of the hill
And he marched them down again
And when they were up, they were up
And when they were down
They were down
- [cracking]
- [grunting]
[strains]
[Tenzing] Ed!
- Ed!
- It's okay!
I'm all right! [grunts]
[groans]
[gasping, panting]
[tense music playing]
[grunts]
Shit.
[straining]
Tenzing! Have you got me?
I've got you!
[straining, grunts]
[groans]
[exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[straining]
[strains]
[straining]
[panting]
- [grunts]
- [music stops]
[panting]
[laughs]
[sighs deeply]
Thank God.
How did you go?
Good. They will finish the job.
[Hunt] Well done.
Quite the feat, gentlemen.
[Tenzing, Hillary breathing heavily]
6:29.
Presume you're not carrying
any cash, Charlie?
Oh, no. I am impressed.
[sighs] I mean,
we would have been even earlier, but, uh...
Tenzing had a little mishap.
[chuckles]
Mm-hmm.
Yes. [chuckles]
Guess you're making the tea tonight.
I guess so.
[wind whistling]
[ethereal music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[sighs]
[Hillary sighs]
[Hunt] There they are.
They're almost there.
Tenzing, whatever you said or did,
- tip-top job.
- [music fades]
Well done.
[Hunt] The monsoon is upon us.
But we are still in the game.
The final assault, gentlemen.
And so, the assault team.
It is, as you'll understand,
not the easiest decision.
Nonetheless, after much weighing up...
Bourdillon, Evans. Congratulations.
- Wow.
- Myself,
Ed, Tenzing, Lowe, Ang Nyima.
We're the support team. We'll carry.
Leave Bourdillon and Evans fresh.
[mutters]
- Well.
- [Bourdillon] Charles.
[Hunt] We'll leave in an hour.
- Thank you, John.
- Come back in one piece, all right?
- We'll try.
- [Hillary] Good luck, Tom.
- Thank you, Ed.
- [Lowe] No pressure.
[Evans] None whatsoever!
[sighs]
I'm sorry, Tenzing.
It's not fair.
That word "merit" doesn't mean
who's the best.
[Hillary] True.
Evidently, it means
who's the best of the British.
[sighs]
They take care of their own.
They've made an empire of it.
Ed. Tenzing.
I'm sorry.
We shook hands.
All I ever agreed to was
that you would be a full climbing member,
which you are.
And that all full climbing members
would get a shot at the summit team,
as you did.
My job was to make the best decision
for this expedition.
As I've done.
- [intrepid music playing]
- [panting]
[panting]
[Tenzing exclaims]
[in Sherpa] You okay?
- Thank you, Pasang.
- [speaks Sherpa]
[sighs]
I mean it.
[wind blowing]
[coughing]
[breathes heavily]
[emotional music playing]
[chattering]
[speaks Sherpa]
[speaks Sherpa]
[grunts]
[muffled, speaks indistinctly]
[breathes deeply]
[music continues]
[breathing heavily]
[music fades]
[speaking indistinctly]
Good luck. Go make history.
[Evans, muffled] We'll do our best.
[Bourdillon, muffled] Try not to worry,
John. We'll see you tonight.
[Hillary] Come back safe!
[dramatic music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[music fades]
[coughs]
[Bourdillon] I'm so sorry, John.
I'm so sorry.
There's a steep ridge. Ice and rock.
[breathes shakily]
Just after the South Summit.
It's about 40 feet up high.
It's not possible.
It's not possible.
[Hunt] It's all right.
We've missed our window.
In this weather, we'll be lucky
to get back down unharmed.
It's over.
[mournful music playing]
- [mournful music continues]
- [cymbals striking]
[fire intensifies]
- [music stops]
- [fire crackling stops]
[breathing heavily]
Hillary!
Hillary!
Listen. Listen.
No wind.
We can make it, John.
We just need to start higher,
because now we know you can't do it
from here in one day.
Yes. We need a higher camp, sir.
You can't survive a night up there.
He already did. Last year.
Lowe, Pasang,
you take Evans and Bourdillon back down.
Ang Nyima and I will carry
oxygen and supplies.
So you two can conserve energy.
Sir, I go.
I help.
[in Sherpa] Let me finish the job.
- I want her to see how handsome I am.
- [laughs]
[in English] All right, then.
We have a plan.
- [breathing heavily]
- Good luck.
Good luck, sir.
[dramatic music playing]
[pants]
[pants]
[Hillary] Thank you, John.
- [music fades]
- You should go. The light is going.
[pants] We'll help set your tent.
No, no. Go.
Go. [pants]
Good luck up there.
Tenzing.
[in Sherpa] Take care.
Thank you.
Tenzing.
[breathing heavily]
May Chomolungma accept your prayers
and grant you
safe passage.
[breathing heavily]
[in English] How is your head?
It's, uh... [pants]
Drink.
[grunts] Have some of this.
How's yours?
[groans]
Ed,
are you married?
Nope. Not yet. [laughs]
I've got bees.
Bees?
You know, bees.
[imitates buzzing] Honey.
[speaks Sherpa]
[in English] Yeah, that's it.
And you?
Do you have a family?
I have two girls.
They wish they were here.
[sighs]
And they're with their mother?
Hey, Tenzing.
You'll come to New Zealand.
We'll climb our mountains.
[chuckles] I would like that very much.
Our mountains aren't as big as these ones,
but we'd have fun.
Everywhere you turn,
it's amazing.
Amazing.
"I am Mr. Amazing."
What?
I am Mr. Amazing.
- Oh, you are?
- Yeah.
[both laugh]
Okay. Good for you.
[chuckles]
[wind intensifies]
Are we gonna be all right, Tenzing?
You know the mountain better than anyone.
When I was a boy,
I used to tell people it was my mountain.
But it's not, Ed.
You do all these things.
You cut off your hair,
you follow orders...
you never stop thinking about it.
You say goodbye,
you come back,
you say goodbye again.
Why do you keep doing it?
[ethereal music playing]
[sniffling]
[breathing heavily]
- [music fades]
- [breathing heavily]
[oxygen tank hissing]
[dramatic music playing]
[muffled] Your lead.
- You alright?
- Yeah.
- [pants]
- [music fades]
[breathing heavily]
[heartbeat thumping]
[Dawa, echoing] Tenzing.
[mother] Tenzing.
[in Tibetan] Tenzing.
You're not strong enough
to come with us.
We will be back when we can.
Mother!
I can get stronger!
Mother!
Mother!
I can get stronger!
[ethereal music playing]
[Tenzing, in Sherpa] Dawa...
I wasn't strong enough.
After you were gone,
I could no longer hear
the voice of the mountain.
Do I have her permission?
What if she says no?
[voice breaking] What if she rejects me?
All your hope.
All your future.
All your heart.
Do you remember when you promised me that?
This is the future.
We're in it.
You've known her your whole life.
She's calling you home.
[ethereal music continues]
[Hillary pants] Tenzing!
[pants] Tenzing!
Tenzing! [pants]
- Tenzing!
- [music stops]
[Tenzing breathing heavily]
[Hillary, in English]
Let's get you up. [grunting]
[breathing heavily]
You had a wee bit of hypoxia.
Your mask was completely iced up.
[panting]
You okay?
[Tenzing] Thank you.
Okay.
[wind whistling]
[tense music playing]
That must be
what Charlie was talking about.
[grunting, panting]
Let's give it a go.
[Tenzing] Okay.
[tense music continues]
[strains]
[grunts]
[strains, grunts]
Ed!
- [grunting, panting]
- Ed!
[Tenzing] You can do it!
[straining]
[music intensifies]
[strains]
[music fades]
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
[grunts]
[Hillary] That's it, Tenzing.
That's it.
[both grunt]
- [panting]
- [chuckles]
No.
After you.
[Tenzing] After you.
[both laughing]
[music fades]
[emotional music playing]
[music continues]
[Tenzing crying]
[sighing]
[chuckles]
Mr. Amazing.
Chomolungma.
[Hillary] Oh, wait.
[grunts]
The photo.
[music fades]
[shutter clicks]
[people chattering]
[emotional music resumes]
[no audible dialogue]
[Bourdillon] There they are. They're here.
What's the word?
[cheering, chattering]
We did it, George. We did it.
[music continues]
Well done.
Congratulations. Well done.
- Ed, you made it? Well done. Well done.
- Thank you.
Thank you, Tom.
You deserve this, Tenzing. Well done.
[speaks Sherpa]
[speaking Sherpa]
[speaks Sherpa]
[in Sherpa] Did you meet her?
Yes.
And she's beautiful.
[Thondup] Thank you to the Goddess!
[all laughing, cheering]
- [in English] Ed, you did it, man!
- We did it.
That's amazing! [laughing]
[all chanting]
[chuckling]
[sighs]
[music continues]