Rarely do you find yourself immersed in such a vast landscape, worried completely for the characters you see before you and their safety. Not only their safety, but how do you end up feeling yourself in their shoes as well? A question Jennifer Peedom skillfully answers in her jump from documentary filmmaking to her newest film, Tenzing. A film based on an incredible true story and almost just as incredibly portrayed.

Everyone knows about the numerous attempts to climb the massive Mount Everest. But what people do not know is the true story of the individuals, the Sherpas, who team together to help the big names make their attempts. Tenzing fully takes on the title of the single individual whose story remains unknown. That is, until now. Along with her story creator, Luke Davies, Peedom crafted an all-emotional and adventurous film following Tenzing Norgay (Genden Phuntsok) and his life leading up to the one moment that changed him forever.

Tenzing is an outsider, left behind by his parents and having to discover the world alone. Growing up amidst those who never accepted him, he moves through the days through the hopes to follow his dream: To hike the mountain and greet Chomolungma, the holy mother goddess of Everest. From a little child who was left behind, to a full-grown adult, Tenzing grows up quickly before our eyes. Judged by those around him, he feels as though he has something to prove. But what becomes most apparent is that what he wants to prove leans more on his own individual identity than on needing the approval of those around him.

Years later — after training himself, knowing the land, and learning the English language — he finds himself working with other Sherpas and in an unlikely friendship with the expedition secretary Jill Henderson (Caitríona Balfe). Years of waiting, and the time finally presents itself. With the great encouragement from his wife Dawa (Thinley Lhamo), and the assistance of Jill, Tenzing embarks on the latest British expedition to Mount Everest. Led by the profound Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe), Tenzing proves himself and joins the official British climbing team, rather than simply serving it. Working together, he and New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston) become the pair to make history.

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Immediately, upon bringing her viewers into Tenzing’s world. The mountains are a wide and wondrous place, filled with wind, snow and treacherous terrain. An easy tell is whether the film has taken place on green screen or actually in person. And Peedom chooses the latter. Taking her cast and crew up into the real mountains, she further intensifies her story by making it even more real. Giving the audience that physical, or as close to as possible, feeling of being there. Witnessing Tenzing, Edmund, and Colonel Hunt endure the weather gives even more thrill than the truth itself.

Then, adding to the tension and the thrill of their endeavour, of course, the actors require the right necessities to complete the storytelling process. Phuntsok is the true heart of the film, and indeed he must be. As complex as a character and person, Tenzing Norgay was truly a unique individual. His passion for his dream is what led him to achieve it. And in his portrayal of Tenzing, though a character in this sense, Phuntsok fully encapsulates his personality and brings him to life for audiences to empathise with and will to succeed.

As a timely story as well, Tenzing deals with the distance between class, background, and ambition. Though not in the same fashion, Edmund is also an outsider amidst the crew. Together, and through Hiddleston and Phuntsok, they beat the diversity they face. Through empowerment and strength in acting and friendship chemistry built between the pair, they prove the world wrong. While one may know where it comes from, having potentially known where Tenzing’s story will end, the adventure the expedition takes is beyond extraordinary.

Truly a cinematic experience, Tenzing truly engages; the film takes viewers to unknown extremes all while being about acceptance and commitment. Through Peedom’s eyes and Phuntsok’s performance, the hidden story of Tenzing Norgay comes to life on the screen.

★★★

On Apple TV now / Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, Thinley Lhamo, Tenzin Dalha, Tenzin Jigmey, Umesh Tamang / Dir: Jennifer Peedom / Apple TV