Everest, which has definitely made its rounds of IMAX theatres
(it's been played at the Royal BC Museum IMAX, Science World and CN IMAX) is
quite possibly the best IMAX film ever made. It follows the story of an expedition of international climbers with it’s
sights set on the summit of the worlds tallest mountain.
It’s both scientifically and spiritually informative. The story of how the
Himalayan mountain range formed and the technicalities of mountain climbing
are interspersed with information Buddhism, the religion of the Sherpa people.
In addition to the information, there is a very human level to it.
Although at first these people seem to be mere climbers helping a geologists
study, this all changes when things take a turn for the worst. While the IMAX
team is at middle camp (Everest is separated into Base camp, Middle Camp and
High Camp), a sudden storm hits the slopes of Everest, endangering the lives
of those at High camp, and not least those who happened to be summiting that
night.
The story then becomes more than a mere documentary, but a harrowing
tale of saving lives and losing lives. You can feel for these people as they
see their companions slipping into death. In particular, the story of Rob Hall
is one that is heart wrenching to hear.
If you haven't already seen it, I would higly reccomend that you do. The
film is described as legendary. If you don't get a chance, then read "Into Thin
Air" by John Krakauer, which is his firsthand account of what happened on the mountain
in that time.