Mountain and mountaineering films on HBO Max

Mountain and mountaineering films on HBO Max
Mountain climbing / Pixabay

From documentaries to films about real events, you will find very interesting mountain productions on this platform. Those that deal with real events that happened in famous mountains are the ones that catch the most. Although it is not the HBO's main theme The truth is that it has included a variety of films on this category, bearing in mind that other competing platforms, such as Disney, have practically endless films dedicated to this topic in their line-up. As was to be expected, HBO was not to be left behind.

Here to Climb

In the HBO documentary "Here to Climb".we follow renowned climber Sasha DiGiulian on her incredible journey of recovery following hip surgery that threatened to end her career. Through breathtaking landscapes and personal challenges, this film documents not only her sporting achievements, but also her struggle against adversity, highlighting her role as a female pioneer in climbing. An inspirational tale of determination and overcoming adversity that is not to be missed.

The Climb

This documentary reality has been produced by actor Jason Momoa and by climber Chris Sharma. This duo also acts as hosts of the competition. together with climbing champion Megan Martin, and is a visual adventure programme that focuses primarily on rock climbing and the exploration of the human spirit.

The HBO Max series "The Climb" has eight episodes that have been filmed in various locations around the world, two of them filmed in Aragon, Spain. 

Various amateur climbers will be challenged both mental and physicalto be recognised as the best amateur climber. The climbers will be pitted against each other and against different walls as they try to prove that they should be considered among the best amateur climbers in the world.

White Mile (1994)

This production was based on events that actually happened. Dan Cutler, who owns an advertising agency in New York City, invites his employees and some potential clients to a journey to the mountains of Canada, where they would go to practice various adventure sports.

This visit is perceived by many as a command rather than an invitation. Cutler sees this trip as a way to test the courage, confidence and skills of each of his employees in the practice of risky mountain activities. Nick Karas, a retired office executive, also becomes a last-minute guest, who wants to work with Cutler to bring in new clients and thinks he is just a simple sightseeing trip.

The accident happened while white water rafting down Canada's White Mile when the inflatable boat The boat used by the group capsizes and the passengers are swept away by the strong current.

Two agency executives, Karas and two of the clients are killed in the tragedy. Subsequently, Dan Cutler confronts one of the senior directors, Jack Robbins, about how the case and its consequences should be reported to both the authorities and the victims' families, who are going to sue the agency.

The film was directed by Robert Butler and its cast includes Alan Alda, Peter Gallagher, Bruce Altman, Robert Loggia, Fionnula Flanagan, Ken Jenkins, Dakin Matthews, Jacqueline Kim, Max Wright, Marcy Kaplan, among others. In 1994 it was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or TV Movie and Best Actor (Alda).

The Wind. A Documentary Thriller (2019)

It is a 75-minute documentary produced in Poland, which shows how the the mountain ranges of the Podhale region, in the Polish Tatra Mountains, undergo an intense modification every time the special wind called Halny blows over them.

This wind blows in cycles several times a year, usually in the period between the spring and autumn seasons. The force with which it blows cannot be predicted, so you never know if it will turn into a major storm with all the destruction that this causes.

Halny's action has a shocking effect on the inhabitants of the Zakopane area, who, after his passing, witness how they can go from being a few picturesque mountains in a landscape that has suffered the fury of the natural elements.

The film begins with images of a strong wind blowing down trees and roofs, and recordings of phone calls to emergency services to report dangerous situations.

A middle-aged woman, Hanka, tries to calm her horses in the stable when it is ravaged by the wind. A neighbour tries to help her protect her house. The director, Bielawski, tries to present the psychological effects of wind on people. Hanka is in love with the forest and wants to sell part of her land to buy an area in the forests of the Tatra Mountains National Park. Meanwhile, her neighbour goes hiking with his family and suffers a minor heart attack.

All this builds to a final part, where the wind begins to attack again. The director prepares with impressive shots showing swirling clouds between the mountains, accompanied by dramatic orchestral music. This documentary has been awarded prizes at the film festivals of Cacrovia and Trieste.

Death Mountain: The Dyatlov Pass Incident (2020)

This Russian TV series is based on the story of a KGB commander who must investigate the mysterious death of a group of nine students who are on a mission to investigate the death of a group of students. excursion in the Ural Mountains.

This commander is haunted by his past as a World War II veteran, has a sixth sense and feels death following him the more he investigates this mysterious case. The more he finds out, the more certain he becomes that the reason for the students' deaths will never come to light.

In 1959, a group of nine university students left their homes for a difficult journey on skis over several days in the Ural Mountains in order to obtain their final certification. as expert mountain guides.

Although the group was experienced enough, they never reached their destination, which set off all the red flags until the corpses turned up a month later, some of them mercilessly mutilated for no reason.

To investigate the case, the KGB decided to send its most experienced investigator, Major Oleg Zolotarev, with clear instructions to keep all enquiries absolutely quiet to prevent the population from becoming alarmed about these unknown dangers.

The cast includes Egor Beroev, Irina Lukina, Masha Matsel, Roman Evdokimov, Maksim Emelyanov and Yuriy Deynekin, among others.

The series is broadcast in one season with 8 episodes, each with an average running time of 52 minutes.

Mountains: Gateways to the Heavens (2020)

Mountains: Gateways To The Heavens is a educational documentary and 50 minutes long, based on mountains and the impact their presence has on life as we know it.

The fact that the film moves very quickly from one scene to the next, with a large amount of information included in all of them, makes it possible to keep the film in constant motion for its entire duration.

Mountains are estimated to occupy 22% of the Earth's surface and are distributed over the five continents. They constitute one of the most spectacular landscapes due to the rich wildlife they present in perfect combination with a great variety of natural scenery.

This documentary is one of the most intensively screened documentaries with excellent educational content about the importance of mountains for life and has also been offered to the public as part of a very good quality presentation.

Mountain Lion: The Ghost Cat (2020)

Mountain Lion: The Ghost Cat is a 30-minute short film set in the cold and desolate mountains of Chile and through it, the most characteristic features of the ghost cat or mountain lion are revealed.

The ghost cat or mountain lion is one of the most elusive animals to be found in the wild. Adaptable and hardy, these animals impose a precarious life cycle on those creatures that must share their territory.

The documentary shows how a single mother of this species raises her three cubs in the inhospitable mountains of Chile, constantly struggling against the difficult natural elements of the surrounding landscape and environment.

Conclusion

As you have seen, you can find mountain films and mountaineering on HBO Max, as well as documentaries or series, either as the main theme or as a backdrop to recreate the story.

There are also a number of educational documentaries available to help audiences learn about the mountains and the life found in them. Don't miss these productions if you are a nature lover. Before signing up for HBO Max you should check compatibility with your TV or Android device.