‘Tenzing’s Jennifer Peedom On Bringing The Everest Pioneer’s Story To Life — Deadline Screening Series
News Source
•Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000
📰 What Happened
Director Jennifer Peedom has spoken about making Tenzing, a film about the climber who reached the top of Mount Everest in 1953. Tenzing Norgay climbed with Edmund Hillary. The film puts Norgay at the centre of his own story.
Peedom said she wanted to show his childhood and his love story. She said those parts of his life had never been written down in detail.
The film stars Genden Phuntsok as Norgay and Tom Hiddleston as Hillary. It is now available to watch on Apple TV.
🔍 The Backstory
Peedom has spent more than 20 years filming in the Himalayas. Her 2015 documentary Sherpa followed an Everest trip from the Sherpas' side. An avalanche killed 16 Sherpas during that shoot.
That work built trust with Norgay's family, who let her tell his story. She filmed the climbing scenes on real mountains in New Zealand's Southern Alps, reachable only by helicopter.
Hiddleston walked with Hillary's grandson to learn about the partnership. Peedom calls the two climbers equals who depended on respect for each other.
🎯 Why It Matters
Sherpas do much of the dangerous work on Everest but rarely get the credit. The film asks viewers to see the climb through their eyes.
Director Jennifer Peedom has spoken about making Tenzing, a film about the climber who reached the top of Mount Everest in 1953. Tenzing Norgay climbed with Edmund Hillary. The film puts Norgay at the centre of his own story.
Peedom said she wanted to show his childhood and his love story. She said those parts of his life had never been written down in detail.
The film stars Genden Phuntsok as Norgay and Tom Hiddleston as Hillary. It is now available to watch on Apple TV.
Peedom has spent more than 20 years filming in the Himalayas. Her 2015 documentary Sherpa followed an Everest trip from the Sherpas' side. An avalanche killed 16 Sherpas during that shoot.
That work built trust with Norgay's family, who let her tell his story. She filmed the climbing scenes on real mountains in New Zealand's Southern Alps, reachable only by helicopter.
Hiddleston walked with Hillary's grandson to learn about the partnership. Peedom calls the two climbers equals who depended on respect for each other.
Sherpas do much of the dangerous work on Everest but rarely get the credit. The film asks viewers to see the climb through their eyes.