BFI To Release 1924's The Epic Of Everest

Genre:
History, Documentary
Distributor:
BFI
Release Date:
27th January 2014 (UK)
Buy:The Epic of Everest (DVD + Blu-ray) [Amazon]
Following the world premiere of The Epic of Everest at the 2013 BFI London Film Festival and its critically acclaimed cinema release, Captain John Noel’s stunning official record of the 1924 Everest expedition,

When George Mallory and Sandy Irvine attempted to reach the summit of Everest in 1924 they came closer than any previous attempt. Captain John Noel filmed in the harshest of conditions to capture the drama of this fateful expedition. Now restored by the BFI National Archive, The Epic of Everest with a new score by Simon Fisher Turner, will be released in a Dual Format Edition (DVD and Blu-ray discs) on 27 January 2014.

Inspired by Herbert Ponting (The Great White Silence), Captain Noel recorded images of breathtaking beauty and considerable historic significance using specially adapted equipment. The film is also amongst the earliest filmed records of life in Tibet. But it is the brooding presence of the mountain itself that is the heart of Noel’s film, and his photography captures the magical play of light and shadow on an alien landscape which enhances the vulnerability, isolation and courage of the mountaineers.

The restoration – undertaken in collaboration with Sandra Noel, the director’s daughter – has transformed the quality of the surviving elements of the film and reintroduced the original coloured tints and tones.

The BFI commissioned a new score by Simon Fisher Turner which was released on LP/CD by Mute in October and has been voted No.1 soundtrack of the year by Mojo magazine.

Also included on the release are three documentary featurettes about the film, the restoration and the score, and an optional alternative musical accompaniment; the original 1924 score as recreated by Julie Brown, a specialist on film music and early twentieth-century concert music.


Special features

• Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition
• Introducing The Epic of Everest (2013): Sandra Noel and Bryony Dixon (BFI National Archive) discuss the background and filming process
• Scoring The Epic of Everest (2013): Composer Simon Fisher Turner discusses the production of the new score
• Restoring The Epic of Everest (2013): Bryony Dixon, Ben Thompson (BFI National Archive) and Lisa Copson (Deluxe Digital) discuss the restoration process
• Alternative score – the original 1924 score recreated by Julie Brown. Performed by Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andrew Gourlay
• Additional musical pieces that accompanied the film on its first screening at the Scala, London in 1924
• Original 1924 film programme (downloadable PDF, DVD only)
• 30 page illustrated booklet with essays/contributions from explorer and writer Wade Davis, Simon Fisher Turner, Sandra Noel, Julie Brown and the BFI National Archive’s Kieron Webb, plus notes on the musical extras and full credits.

The Epic of Everest Dual Format Edition will be launched by the BFI and Caught by the River at Rough Trade East, Dray Walk, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL on Friday 17 January at 6.30pm. A FREE screening of the film will be followed by a Q&A with Sandra Noel and Simon Fisher Turner, hosted by Luke Turner of TheQuietus.com.
Open to all, no booking necessary – full details here: http://www.roughtrade.com/events/2014/1/305