BURSTA new feature film about legendary Sherpa Tenzing Norgay is bringing one of mountaineering’s most important stories to the big screen this fall. Tenzing, directed by Jennifer Peedom, follows Norgay and New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary during the 1953 British expedition that took them to the summit of Everest. The film is based on the true story of the historic climb and places Norgay at the centre of it all.
Genden Phuntsok stars as Tenzing Norgay, while Tom Hiddleston plays Edmund Hillary. Willem Dafoe portrays expedition leader John Hunt, with Caitríona Balfe and Thinley Lhamo also among the principal cast. Peedom previously directed the acclaimed documentary Sherpa, which explored the lives and work of Sherpa climbers on Everest.
Film critic Alex Billington at First Showing said, “Tenzing is the Oppenheimer for mountain climbing, and First Man for Tenzing Norgay. It’s as brilliant and profound and unforgettable as those two movies.” Read more from Billington here.
Norgay was born in 1914 and became one of the best-known Sherpa mountaineers of the 20th century. Before the successful 1953 expedition, he had taken part in several attempts to climb Everest and other Himalayan peaks. On May 29, 1953, Norgay and Hillary reached the summit as members of the British expedition, becoming the first climbers confirmed to have reached the top of Mount Everest. The achievement made Norgay an international figure and a lasting symbol of Himalayan mountaineering.
Tenzing is scheduled to open in select theatres on Oct. 9, 2026, before becoming available on Apple TV on Oct. 16. The film is also scheduled to have its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. With Norgay’s epic story at its centre, the film offers a new dramatic look at one of the most significant expeditions in climbing history.
As Billington said: “The way it comes together, cinematically, at the end is awe-inspiring and will leave everyone who watches it instilled with that sense of determination & success that got Tenzing & Hillary to top 73 years ago. One of my favorite films of the year.”
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