The Dark Glow of the Mountains

The Dark Glow of the Mountains (Gasherbrum – Der leuchtende Berg) is a TV documentary made in 1985 by German filmmaker Werner Herzog. It is about an expedition made by mountain climber Reinhold Messner and his partner Hans Kammerlander to climb Gasherbrum II and Gasherbrum I all in one trip without returning to base camp. The film is not so much concerned with showing the climb itself or giving guidelines on mountaineering, but seeks to reveal the inner motivation of the climbers.

Background
The film has been compared to other films by Herzog such as Fitzcarraldo and Cave of Forgotten Dreams, for its interest in mountains and the supernatural.

Production
The climb itself was filmed with an 8 mm camera so as to keep as close to the two protagonists as possible.

Reception
The film bearing Herzog's trademark of a very frontal approach of its subject has retrospectively received very positive reviews acquiring the status of a cult classic.