The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The cinematography is very good. And it is exciting that everything was caught on film (the Sherpa fighting, the rescue effort, the politically-motivated protests, etc etc). But the documentary falls flat of following through with the intended story, and instead showcases how much of grandiose liar Russell Brice is. It seems that the filmmakers started out with the intention of capturing the expedition on film, but then the tragedy occurred so the filmmakers shifted direction and documented the rescue operation. Then protests began so the filmmakers again shifted direction and wanted to make it about the plight of the Sherpa. But at the same time all of these foreigners are whining about how they can't go up the mountain because the Sherpas are complaining that a chunk of their people died. So Russell Brice and a few privileged hikers decided to stage a counter-protest by inventing this story about how a few (invisible) Sherpas are threatening to kill everyone if they go up the mountain, so they are going to withdraw from Base Camp and make all of the Sherpas suffer their wrath and learn their lesson?! I can't believe that this Russell Brice guy invented a story about Sherpas threatening to kill people, and then basically told the Sherpas that it was in their best interest if the hikers leave, and then he told the hikers that the Sherpas wanted them to leave. Appalling. THAT is the real story here, but it is glossed over and the only person in the film complaining about him lying is edited into bits and pieces to make him sound confusing.

These westerners should be ashamed of themselves for their exploitation of the locals, and in taking recognition as Mt. Everest climber. They did not climb the mountain by themselves, but rather with the bulk of the hard work was done for them by the Sherpas. The ONLY reason they were able to summit is because of the Sherpas' efforts. This is a rich men's game, and these climbers are usually millionaires (and more) or with extremely rich sponsors.The government of Nepal should be ashamed of themselves as well; not only for what they do to their own people, but also what they allow to happen in this mountain with the man-made destruction of this beautiful natural environment. These climbing operations and their climbers leave countless of oxygen bottles, climbing equipment, tools, garbage, non-degradable trash, human excrement, etc. on this mountain. Almost all of these trash and garbage will remain there forever because of the preservation characteristic of extreme cold temperature. There are efforts to retrieve these refuses, but only as symbolic attempts at best with no real solutions to make a difference.I have no respect for those people who do extreme sports (or extreme of anything). In their quests of accomplishing their goals, they always have to destroy or harm something else with much more devastating impacts (whether it's the environment, the animals, their competitors, their societies, their communities, their families... or even themselves). They are just like those bad auto mechanics who fixed the brakes, but allowed the tires to detach down the road, or those plumbers who unclogged the toilet, but caused the toilet water leakage in the process.I propose a complete ban of Mt. Everest climbing for 10 years or until when all the man-made objects/trash completely be removed from this mountain. Once it's allowed to be climbed again, all climbers must carry their own supplies and equipment beyond base camp, that means Sherpas can only help climbers and transport their cargoes up to base camp (no more 30-trip climbing for each Sherpa and no more laying down ropes and tracks for climbers from base camp to summit; and, ANYTHING taken up must be brought down each climbing season. This rule alone will cut down a huge number of rich/part-time/amateur climbers and their share of the destruction of Mt. Everest. Last but not least important issue: past and present Sherpas are to be recognized for their summits in the history books/records just like their westerner counterparts. Sherpas are to be recognized as professional mountaineers at the national and international level with their salaries/benefits shall be commensurate with their experience and years in service.

I watched this film expecting a documentary on life for Sherpa's on the mountain. However what I experienced was a great insight into the actual lives of the Sherpa's and how they are treated by the westerners. Unsurprisingly some tourists were quite rude and arrogant towards the Sherpa's, but what I did not expect to see was the complete lack of integrity and regard shown to the Sherpas by the expedition organisers. Richard Brice is a complete callous individual and his attitude after the avalanche was unconscionable. Making up lies and spreading rumours about the Sherpas trying to turn them against each other is vicious. I am glad that Phurba saw through it all. SOme of the tourists are very rude, especially the Americans. The lack of sympathy shown to the Sherpas after the avalanche by some of the tourists and expedition leaders is horrendous. Seeing the little boy cry after hearing that his dad died on the mountain was truly heartbreaking to watch.I am very glad I watched this documentary and am grateful to the people who made it as it has given me greater insight into the way humans treat each other in times of disaster. And it is not pretty.

Isn't that grand?Russell Brice, the New Zealand owner of Himalayan Experience, is the sort of person one would cross the street simply to kick in the shins (or worse).His attitude towards the Sherpa is, at best, patronizing. He calls them "boys", and insists their unhappiness has been provoked by outside agitators. (One is surprised he doesn't say "Communists".)His attempts to communicate comprise utterly disingenuous remarks ("Please tell me if I've done anything to anger you"), and empty platitudes ("We've got to keep moving forward"). Nowhere does he suggest that the Sherpa's concerns are more important than the continued success of his business, complaining at one point that he can't recoup the cost of rope if the climb is canceled."Sherpa" is nothing if not an attack on the way the gross materialism of Western "culture" corrupts almost everything it touches. No longer do you have to struggle to put together your own expedition. The Sherpa "boys" will do //all// the work for you. Just fork over a lot of money. One is reminded of films in which African bearers lug the accoutrements of the Western wealthy, so they can have a comfortable journey.