Broad Peak

Unfortunately, this mountain climbing drama struggles with finding a story worth telling. Lots of the drama in Broad Peak feels a bit forced and meandering. While the beginning epigraph outlines the stakes, too much of the film spends time dramatizing Berbeka's first attempt and normal life afterward. Berbeka isn't given any kind of introduction (nor are any of his climbing friends), and it isn't explained why anyone should care about these climbers, outside of them trying to be the first to reach Broad Peak's summit in the winter, etc. It's much to do about a conquest that seems selfish. If this real-life story is more than that, this movie doesn't show it.

By the time Berbeka gears up for what should be his thrilling second attempt 25 years later, the movie is already over. The film hurries the new climbers toward their ascent all within 10 minutes, and after a brief scare and bit of conflict (if they keep going, they risk losing sunlight), written text appears on-screen saying the climbers made it. Then, there are five more minutes featuring languid but beautiful shots of climbers climbing mountains, followed by credits. Additional text also informs viewers that Berbeka and another climber don't survive their descent, which gives the film another opportunity to show Berbeka's wife worrying over her husband. It's a disappointing ending to a disappointing film.