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Plot

A pair of climbers attempts to scale the world's second-largest and most dangerous mountain in this visually impressive but dramatically weak adventure. Skirt-chasing lawyer Taylor Brooks (Michael Biehn) and sedate family man Harold Jamison (Matt Craven) share a love of risky mountain climbing and embark on numerous collaborative expeditions. During one of these climbs, they encounter a team of fellow mountaineers preparing to tackle the legendary Pakistani mountain K2. Brooks immediately becomes obsessed with this task, and he convinces the reluctant Jamison to join the team. The bulk of the film centers on the dangerous climb and even more challenging descent, beset with challenges both natural and human. Though adapted from a stage play by Patrick Myers, the schematic personal dramas take a back seat to cinematographer Gabriel Beristain's overwhelming landscapes, filmed both on location at the real K2 and on a smaller Canadian peak.
MPAA Rating:
for language.
Genre(s):
Action,Drama
Run Time:
104min.
Theatrical Release Date:
05/01/1992
Distributor(s):
Miramax
Director(s):
Themes:
Survival in the Wilderness,Obsessive Quests
Tone:
Chilly,Confrontational,Rousing,Tense,Wintry,Atmospheric
Keywords:
avalanche,mountain-climbing,obsession,partner,summit [peak]
Country of Origin:
USA (05-01-1992)