Before Everest

This documentary from filmmaker Richard Riddiford casts new light on a celebrated historical event; the successful 1953 ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. New Zealander Earle Riddiford organised an earlier Himalayan expedition in 1951, which led directly to Kiwi involvement in the 1953 British-sponsored attempt on the world's highest mountain. But cutting remarks about Riddiford's character in Hillary's final memoir haunted his family. Anna Riddiford's research into her "difficult" father spurred her filmmaker brother to re-examine that fateful 1951 expedition.

History is written by the victors. For 65 years, Hillary and Lowe essentially sanitised 1951's events, especially who climbed Mukut Parbat and the night of bitter dispute, [Lyn] McKinnon says. "People loved the Hillary myth," she says, "but times pass."

– Writer Will Harvie quoting author Lyn McKinnon on the infamous 1951 Everest expedition, The Press, 22 April 2017

Key Cast & Crew

Tom Scott

Subject

Richard Riddiford

Director, Writer, Narrator, Editor, Camera