TIFF 2026 Review: Tenzing – “compelling”

Living literally in the shadow of Everest, Tenzing Norgay as a child developed a deep affinity for the world’s tallest mountain which saw him years later accompany Edmund Hillary on the landmark 1953 expedition to conquer its summit for the first time.

Herding yaks as a child on both sides of the mountainside caused Tenzing Norgay to become spiritually connected with Everest; the ambition to get to the natural phenomenon even closer caused him to endure and conquer ethnic divides not only from the Western world but from within the Sherpa community.   What is just as important as a friendship forged with fellow outlier and mountaineer Edmund Hillary is the bedrock of support provided by his deceased wife which carved the pathway for him to fulfill his ambition of climbing Everest.

It is a credit to Tom Hiddleston that he was prepared to make Edmund Hillary supporting character and let Genden Phuntsok take centre stage as the middle-age Tenzing Norgay grieving from the death of his wife but still inspired by the sheer majesty of Everest.  Equally compelling are the performances of the child and adult versions of Tenzing Norgay, which helped to emphasize what led to the historical achievement was not driven by ego but by deep respect and admiration for Everest.  The flashbacks are essential in providing the proper context that fleshes out Norgay as a three-dimensional human being.

Deeply embedded in the storytelling and filmmaking is the personal experience that Jennifer Peedom has with the Sherpa community and as a mountaineer herself. It is quite a task to turn a mountain into a principal cast member but the presence of Everest is felt throughout.  Shooting on real locations rather than sets makes the mountaineering scenes more experiential for audience members as the cast members look cold because that is actually the case.  The cinematography is gorgeous and the attention to detail makes it hard for viewer to realize that principal photography for the climbing scenes took place in New Zealand and was augmented with footage captured of Everest.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10-20, 2026, and for more information visit tiff.net.   

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.