This film is part of Free
The Conquest of Everest
Colour film (narrated by Meredith Edwards) telling the story of the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’, which saw the first successful ascent of the mountain.
Overview
Film telling the story of the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’. From the history of Mount Everest and earlier climbing expeditions to preparations (including oxygen and equipment testing at Farnborough). Includes voice commentary from John Hunt, Charles Wylie and Edmund Hillary. Camps, acclimatization and assault parties. Ends with a triumphant Hillary and Tenzing arriving back at Camp IV, and being congratulated by the team.
The ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’ was led by John Hunt with Charles Evans, George Band, Tom Bourdillon, Alfred Gregory, Edmund Hillary, George Lowe, Wilfred Noyce, Michael Ward, Michael Westmacott, Charles Wylie and Griffith Pugh; Tom Stobart was film director. On 29th May 1953 at 11.30am, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay stood on the summit of Mount Everest. Hillary took the picture of Tenzing holding his ice-axe (with the flags of the UN, Britain, Nepal and India) and pictures from the summit, covering 360°. They took off their oxygen masks briefly, and left small offerings at the summit before descending.
Related
Southgate Celebrates The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Southgate (1953) Southgate Celebrates The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Southgate (1953)
Non-Fiction 1953 24 mins Location: Southgate
Cowboys, chess and carnival queens in this wonderful colour film made to mark the “new Elizabethan age” in Southgate’s Coronation celebrations in 1953.
Coal on the Doorstep Coal on the Doorstep
Documentary 1974 8 mins Location: Cowdenbeath
Locals have strong feelings about the pros and cons of the new open cast mine in Cowdenbeath, Fife.
Tram Rides through Nottingham Tram Rides through Nottingham
Non-Fiction 1902 6 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
Filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon conduct an evocative ride through Edwardian Nottingham.
Jemima + Johnny Jemima + Johnny
1966 29 mins Location: Notting Hill
Touching short about the friendship between a white boy and a black girl in 1960s Notting Hill.
Kiss of the Rabbit God Kiss of the Rabbit God
Fantasy 2019 15 mins
A Chinese-American restaurant worker falls in love with an 18th century Qing dynasty god, who visits him at night and leads him on a journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Dundee StoryTrails: The People's Map Dundee
Documentary 2022 14 mins Location: Dundee
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Dundee.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.