Bear Grylls: Man vs Everest

In this documentary, Bear Grylls takes us on a journey through the most extreme version of the world's highest and most legendary peak: Mount Everest. Several leading figures in mountaineering and extreme sports, for whom a standard ascent is no longer enough, transform Everest into a laboratory for extreme challenges. Told through archival footage and reenactments, this elite group seeks new forms of performance, attempting to ski the slopes, snowboard down them, hang-glide or paraglide above the summit ridge, open new routes on more technical and exposed faces, and break climbing records. The documentary also highlights the essential role of the Sherpas, the colossal logistics behind each attempt, the explosion of commercial expeditions, and the moral debate surrounding the ever-increasing risks involved in breaking records or achieving unprecedented feats.

Directed by —, Bear Grylls: Man vs Everest leans on a strong ensemble — Bear Grylls, Simone Moro, Phurba Tashi Sherpa — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2014.