Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Meru Blu-ray Movie Review

Cliffhanger.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 9, 2015

Trust Wikipedia to cite The Odyssey as one of the first literary uses of what later became known as a cliffhanger, a term which is probably more commonly thought of in the context of early film serials where the hero (or heroine in the case of that oft-periled Pauline) would encounter some life threatening calamity at the close of any given episode, only to escape from the clutches of death (or at least immolation) at the beginning of the next episode. Some serials did in fact feature their leading character hanging off the side of a precipice on occasion, but it wasn’t until the 1993 Sylvester Stallone mountain climbing thriller Cliffhanger that the word was used cinematically in a title that at least approximated the correct mountaineering context. Meru, a fascinating and at times unbelievably scenic documentary, recounts two different attempts to ascend to the summit of Meru Peak in the Himalyas, a notoriously difficult climb which had never been successfully completed, despite numerous attempts and differing strategies. The film in fact begins with a “cliffhanger” of sorts, showing the precariously perched “portaledge” tent that the three climbers at the center of the story have artfully “attached” to a frightening cliffside, as they attempt to outlast a storm. The film therefore intentionally begins in media res, thrusting the viewer into the claustrophobic confines of this pretty flimsy looking structure, before venturing out, both literally and figuratively, to start filling in the rest of the story.

Conrad Anker is a legend in climbing circles, but for the public at large he may be best known for having discovered the remains of another iconic climber, namely George Mallory, who met his demise on Everest in 1924, but whose body remained undiscovered on the mountainside for decades afterward. Anker has a number of notable ascents under his belt (and/or crampons), but he had longed obsessed over Meru Peak, in part because the summit had remained unobtainable not just by the climbing community in general, but more importantly by Anker’s own mentor Mugs Stump.

Anker’s backstory, along with those of his cohorts Jimmy Chin (who also co-directed the film) and Renan Ozturk, are doled out interstitially as Meru documents the patently insane attempts to conquer what is in essence a virtually vertical topography. There’s a bit more time spent on the family lives of Anker and Chin, though one of the most devastating developments actually has to do with Ozturk (an event which will not be spoiled in this review). That “plot point” actually comes as something of a surprise for those who don’t know the history being portrayed, for it turns out (minor spoilage to follow) that the first attempt by Anker and his team did not make the summit of Meru, despite coming almost enticingly close.

Some of Meru details the technical aspects of the climb, aspects which require a number of different strategies to succeed. This is due to the fact that there’s a huge ascent that has to be made before the team even gets to the actual “real” ascent up the really steep part of the climb. In fact one of the reasons Anker’s very first attempt at Meru failed (an attempt not shown in the film) is because he thought he could do the entire climb with an alpine mentality (i.e., without a bunch of heavy accoutrements carried in backpacks).

However, some of the most compelling information imparted here is more general in nature, dealing with the team mentality that Anker, Chin and Ozturk foster. Anker and Chin have a long history together, and Chin makes a point of stating in one of the first person confessionals that dot the proceedings that he tends to refuse to climb with anyone he isn’t personally familiar with. Interestingly, then, Chin and Ozturk developed a relationship outside of their Meru exploits, as evidenced by a sidebar that ultimately leads to the discomfiting incident involving Ozturk.

There’s a surprisingly forceful emotional component that builds up over the course of the documentary, and the climax of the piece may find some viewers being unexpectedly choked up. Those who marvel at the technical aspects of how documentarians manage to capture such stunning imagery under such harrowing conditions may be choked up for a completely different reason throughout Meru. The footage of the climb will certainly produce sweaty palms in many armchair climbers in what is probably the best indication of just how much cliffhanging these mountain climbers actually end up doing.

Meru Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Meru is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Music Box Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. There's a spectacular aspect to so much of the footage captured in this documentary that some of the quality differentiations can be forgiven. It appears that Chin and Vasarhelyi utilized a variety of different cameras, including (according to the IMDb) the Canon 5D Mark II, the Panasonic HC-V and Red Epic. Some of the footage is virtually crystalline, offering beautifully precise views of impressive vistas, with good differentiation of sometimes minute gradations between shades of white on the mountainside. Other footages are a bit fuzzier in ambience, including what looks like some drone shots of base camp being set up and similar scenes. Detail is quite impressive, given the rigors of the shoot, and some close-ups offer precise looks at elements like beard stubble or even bloodshot eyes. There are no issues with image instability and aside from a few passing moments of noise no compression issues of any note.

Meru Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Meru features a surprisingly immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that gets off to a whirly, swirly maelstrom as the climbers are stuck at an insane height in the midst of a windy winter storm. There are a number of other standout moments, including some great footage at the incredible little village of Gangotri, India, where the guys visit the roaring headwaters of the Ganges. Individual elements like the clink of metal into granite rockfaces reverberate with authenticity and precision. First person confessionals and on the fly conversations are rendered cleanly and clearly, with excellent fidelity. The evocative score by J. Ralph adds significant impact and sounds great throughout the film.

Meru Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentaries:

  Audio Commentary with Directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

  Audio Commentary with Conrad Anker

  Both of these commentaries are fairly sporadic, with large quiet swaths passing by. The Chin-Vasarehelyi commentary is an interesting listen for some of the technical data on the actual shoot, which is absolutely hair raising. Anker's commentary is a bit more introspective, getting more into what the climb meant to him and how he was feeling about things at any given moment.


• More from Mount Meru features five additional vignettes from the trek. An optional commentary by Anker is also available:

  Gangotri, India (1080i; 7:04)

  First Descent (1080p; 5:04)

  The Calling (1080p; 1:39)

  Spiritual Energy (1080p; 4:44)

  Portaledge at 20,000 Feet (1080p; 6:10)

• Sundance Interview Hosted by Ondi Timoner (1080p; 31:17)


• Jimmy at the Chicago Premiere (1080p; 16:32)


• Full Frame Q&A with Filmmakers (1080p; 25:50)


• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 2:20)

Meru Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As a travelogue, Meru is unbelievably scenic, if often incredibly frightening. As a depiction of the resilience of the human spirit, Meru is unbelievable in a completely different if no less affecting way. Stirring and moving, but also exciting enough to fulfill most adrenaline junkie's "needs", Meru is a fascinating documentary that comes Highly recommended.