Under the constraints and parameters of trying to re-create historically-accurate, emergency conditions on Mt. Everest, as experienced by a somewhat disparate and hodge-podge assembly of climbers and guides, this movie excels. I beg to differ most ardently with those who have said that the characters "lack development": Krakauer's doubts, misgivings and apprehensions give a great deal of texture to the humanity and psychology involved. Hall's conventional wisdom, won from massive climbing experience, in contrast to the naivety, ego and inexperience of some of the climbers, gives a clear illustration of the rift in the social dynamic of the group. Anatoli Boukreev is depicted as complex, demanding and rigid, but his act of heroism: Going back out into the storm to find lost climbers after just barely making it back to his tent with his life, is one of the high points in the movie, and unexpected, as well. The photography is excellent. Technical talk regarding weather, physiology and hardware is heard, but it is not overwhelming. Some of the climbers are not introduced thoroughly, but that only adds to the mystery and excitement of the movie: One is never quite certain how some of the climbers will perform. Considering that the two group leaders lost their lives on this climb, it is very likely that the relentless heroism as portrayed in Into Thin Air is quite close to the truth: They probably ended up sacrificing themselves to save others. Although the movie was, for obvious reasons, not filmed at 100 below zero windchill farenheit, I don't see how to make it any better without stretching it to two hours long and jeopardizing the actors and crew with even-harsher conditions. This movie was done with a great deal of respect for those involved in this event. I will not call what happened in 1996 a tragedy, though: We also have to see the magnitude of the victory of the human spirit involved.

Krakauers book was superb. Sadly this movie was utterly appalling. It received the 'Holywood' treatment and suffered greatly as a result. Compare this mish-mash of a movie with that brilliant movie 'Touching The Void' In short you cannot make a comparison. The wooden acting in Into thin air bordered on the laughable, and I literally squirmed with embarrassment watching it. I switched the movie off before it reached its climax. I gave my copy to a couple of friends who agreed with me. What a shame-This could have been a riveting account. Sadly I believe that the producers of this movie were attempting to cash in on the sensational-explosive reports that came through in 1996.

Having never read the book, I began watching this movie without any prior knowledge of climbing or the story of the book, however I found the movie extremely informative of Mt.Everest and climbing in general. I actually found myself researching the movie much later after I saw it- their stories were remarkably compelling; the unknown stories of most of these wonderful people are re-discovered. The movie Into Thin Air truly forces one to look on the darker side of Mt.Everest, and demands respect for nature's landmark. Recommended for a person looking for a little history, with a great, but at times saddening story. The actors are wonderful, and the scenery is fantastic!

I believe the book of this film is a minor classic in climbing circles - the film must rank as a minor disaster.Watching this film left me with not one single shred of sympathy for any of the climbers who died in fact I was disappointed so many survived.Are we led to believe that on an expedition to climb Everest one of the climbers successfully chatted up another (female) climber and we had the absurd scene of him entering her tent with the Sherpa wisely shaking his head and remarking that "the spirits of the mountain will not be pleased"? Is it likely that ANY climber on ANY mountain whilst sheltering in a storm with wind chill temperatures of -100F would take his balaclava and gloves off as did at least 2 of the actors? Can someone explain how a man near death manages to see out the storm overnight WITHOUT gloves and WITHOUT anything on his head and wake up as if he's just been upstairs for a nap? Is it possible for a woman at 28,000 feet to start screaming hysterically whilst everyone around her is gasping for breath through oxygen deficiency? How unrealistic does a film have to be when you have the unbelievably absurd scene of a man being "patched through" to his pregnant wife and talking to her as if she's 3 blocks away? Does anyone believe that one of the climbers bought her own coffee making machine plus PC and desk !!!! If you want to see a film about mountaineering go and see "Touching the Void" - if you want to see a film about implausible, unrealistic and unbelievable people on a mountain then watch this rubbish.