All the Way Up There

Television (Full Length) – 1979

Born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that effects body movement, 24-year old Bruce Burgess is determined to reach the summit of Ruapehu. Gaylene Preston and Waka Attewell's film charts his unique journey. Burgess trains with mountaineer Graeme Dingle at Tūrangi's Outdoor Pursuits Centre: practising the ropes, travelling in a custom-made sled and planting his 'Operation Bruce Burgess' flag. In August 1978, Burgess and Dingle conquered Mount Ruapehu together. The film sold overseas, screened in Kiwi cinemas before Middle Age Spread, and won prizes at two overseas festivals. Burgess died in early 2015, aged 60.

Although he can't walk properly, can't talk properly, that doesn't stop him.
– Narrator David Yerix introduces Bruce Burgess

Key Cast & Crew

David Yerix

Writer, Narrator

Wayne Mason

Composer

Waka Attewell

Producer, Cinematographer, Field Director

Dell King

Editor

Gaylene Preston

Director, Producer

Mike Hardcastle

Additional Camera Operator

See all 12 credits

Produced by

Valhalla

Source

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Acknowledgements

Made with funding from CIP and the Ministry of Recreation and Sport

Presented with thanks to the Aotearoa/New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata