A Quest For Glory Becomes A Quest For Survival In “The North Face”

Posted by mysta on January 31, 2010 · Leave a Comment

“North Face” (Original title Nordwand)

Based on a true story.

Prior to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the Aryan ethos of physical accomplishment had become a mission-statement. The Third Reich focused on the conquering of mountain peaks in order to prove the latter claim, but there was one summit that remained unclimbed and managed to produce hysteria in Germany. The route to the treacherous Eiger peak placed in the Swiss mountains is a near-vertical one, and used to be called by hesitant climbers “The Death-Wall” with a long list of fatalities to back up this notorious reputation.

The movie features the story of the two German alpinists Andi Hinterstiosser and Toni Kurz who tried to be the first to reach the deadly summit and failed. As the man-against-nature narrative is the central one, the political background plays an important role in this story, as reflects the tragic arc of the National-Socializm.

The thrilling cliff hanging suspense is also colored in a melodramatic hue- courtesy of Luise, Toni’s past lover who is covering the story for the Hitler-supporting newspaper. As her two-minded relationship with her Nazi editor comes to play a major role, she is not planning to lose Tony to the mountain without a fight.

Starring: Benno Furmann, Florian Lukas, Johanna Wokalek, George Friedrich, Simon Scwarz

Directed by: Philipp Stolzl

Written by:Christoph Silber and Philipp Stolzl

Release Date: 29 January 2010 (USA)

North Face Trailer: