In May 1953, Sir Edmund and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, became the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. From Hillary's humble beginnings working in his family's beekeeping business to the oxygen deprived heights of Everest and the chilling landscape of Antarctica, this intriguing drama portrays the life, loves, and losses of one of the most famous explorers of all time. 6 episodes, 6 hrs, 2 DVDs, SDH.

Episodes

EPISODE 1 — STANDING TALL
Ed discovers a book on the Himalaya's and becomes fascinated. Despite wanting to serve in the war effort, his strongly principled father keeps him in the beekeeping business.

EPISODE 2 — LOUISE
Ed and George climb in the Himalayas and Ed is offered the chance to climb Everest. Despite his renown as an incredible climber Ed is extremely shy; when he meets Louise he falls in love but cannot pluck up the courage to tell her.

EPISODE 3 — EVEREST
The Swiss have failed and Ed and George are given a chance at Everest. Ed meets Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and finally feels he has met a climbing partner who is as driven as he is.

EPISODE 4 — HOME
Ed might have conquered the tallest mountain in the world but that is easier than proposing to Louise. Despite world fame he is back beekeeping but is offered an adventure that promises a lot but delivers a host of difficulties, not only with the terrain. It will be a decision he may regret.

EPISODE 5 — THE RACE TO THE POLE
Bunny Fuchs is crossing Antarctica and Ed is on the opposite side setting up supply bases for the second half of Bunny's journey. Ed is bored and missing home. As Ed's supply bases get closer to the South Pole, he decides he wants to make it there himself. What was supposed to be a support role turns into Ed's determination to for another major achievement and is perceived by the world's press as a race to the Pole.

EPISODE 6 — HEARTBREAK
After an emergency in the mountains Ed must reconsider his priorities, he and Louise devote their time to building schools in Nepal. When tragedy strikes, Ed's life falls apart until he is convinced to travel the entire length of the Ganges where he must reconcile himself with fate. In the holy city of Varanasi Ed is urged to forgive himself — it is the hardest task he has ever been given.

Details

Packaging: Boxed
Run Time: 6 hours
Format: Widescreen
Number of discs: 2
Language: English
Foreign Language Subtitles: No
Color or B&W: Color
CC: No
SDH: Yes
Region Code: 1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio Format:
Rating: PG

Cast

Andrew Munro (The Kick) as Sir Edmund Hillary

Dean O'Gorman (The Hobbit) as Hillary's long-time climbing companion George Lowe

Amy Usherwood (Shortland Street) as Ed's wife, Lady Louise Hillary