BFI Player is now available on more TV apps

This film is part of Free

Awards Presented to Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in India

Colour footage shot in Delhi on the 1953 Everest expedition's return. Includes group receiving gold medals from Nehru and an official welcoming reception by the Indian Government.

8 mins Silent

Overview

Colour footage shot in Delhi on the 1953 Everest expedition's return. Opens showing team disembarking a plane in India; John Hunt holds up the Indian flag and an ice axe as he descends the steps. Scene of press and crowds welcoming team. Members of the party attend various ceremonies and are given garlands and presented with gifts and awards. The ceremony at the end shows John Hunt and Tensing Norgay raising their awards in delight.

During the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’, on May 29th, at 6.30am Hillary and Tenzing broke camp to begin the second assault using open-circuit oxygen sets. They left Camp 9 at 6.30am, reaching the South Summit at 9am. After negotiating the ‘Hillary Step’ they summit at 11.30am. Hillary takes the famous picture of Tenzing holding up his ice-axe with the flags of the UN, Great Britain, Nepal and India. Hillary also takes pictures of the view from the summit, covering 360°. They take off their oxygen masks for a moment, and leave small offerings at the summit before preparing for descent.