The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest (2020) Poster

(2020)

User Reviews

Review this title
46 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
6/10
Youtube level, low production standard document of one man's experience.
Rob-O-Cop14 February 2021
Not trying to diminish what Nathaniel did, but "white dude carries way too many bags up a hill for other white people who would rather pay someone to do it rather than tire themselves out" isn't really that interesting a story, even though almost 30 reviews would have you believe it is. The production values aren't much, in that a lot of it is shot inside a dimly lite hut, the sound is pretty rough with much of the outdoor sound being covered in wind noise, a wind sock apparently wasn't packed, so I'm guessing it was all camera or phone microphone.

It is an interesting insight into the local world of porters though so it definitely gets merit points for that.
10 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Raw and inviting
keskyle6 January 2024
This is how I love my documentaries, raw with no post-edit music and voiceover asserting a condescending 'insert appropriate emotion here'.

I can feel the cold, the stillness, and the altitude through the wind. Like the crackle of putting needle to vinyl, those who want fidelity in their productions are probably too young to remember the nostalgia of sounds in this cleaned-up world.

There's an attachment here to the everyday lives of these remote community people, mainly due to the static point-of-view shots at close quarters which allow the eyes wonder around the mementos, and I felt like a polite guest invited into their world.

The world needs more documentary amateurs who are not funded by huge budgets, so stories are told as reality because some of the best stories are made with empty pockets.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Who is the man?
spikedudley219 February 2021
I've always dreamed of visiting Nepal and someday climbing to base camp or even beyond and I'm complete in ore of the Nepalese culture. When I saw this documentary I didn't know what to expect. Who was this guy, could he really do this and I'm not gonna lie I thought he was a little eccentric. Everything about this story blew my mind from his physical and mental strength to his ability to communicate with the locals. My friend, this was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. You had me standing up clapping, pushing you to finish. Legend!
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Beautiful and unpretentious.
zeejaybcue27 September 2020
So often these nature trek docs take on a self-righteous tone, and The Porter rises above the pack in both its portrayal of porters and in the humble yet adventurous attitude of its other subject, Nate. While it rightly touches on the hardships of porter life, the highlight of this film is the joy, hospitality, and sense of humor of the porters and locals as Nate ascends Everest. Beautifully shot and endlessly inspiring.
6 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
I watched this as if it were an award winning documentary
CasualConnection1 September 2020
And it should be. Wow, this was amazing in so many ways. Thanks a lot for making this, and sharing it with us for free. I will make a full review some day. 10 out of 10 for me, worth every second, I didn't want it to end... P.S. the trailer and headers do not do this documentary any justice.
7 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Incredible, inspiring and funny
qvjupqmyn26 September 2020
Such a brilliant, informing, funny and awe inspiring film. To follow the journey in the documenting wasn't just entertaining but it was so well done it made you feel you had the pleasure of doing so.

I've watched it a few times now and each time you pick up some new or a little one liner that you missed before.

It's such a fantastic watch, it deserves nothing but success.
6 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Uncover the Truth of Mt. Everest!
wanderlustdani26 September 2020
What truly captivated me about this documentary was how raw it was. Not only was the quality of the footage incredible, but the storyline had me feeling as if I was right there with them.

I found myself deeply invested in Nate's story and everyone that was introduced along the way. I also felt an emotional connection to the hardships and joy they felt throughout the journey.

For anyone who is passionate about adventure, looking to learn something new, or wants to become transported into the Himalayas I highly recommend The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest. You won't be disappointed!
6 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
The life of Mount Everest porters documentary
tmjnkmail26 September 2020
Nate takes on the audacious goal of emersion into the porter life. The film does an impressive job of documenting the daily life of the nepali people who carry loads up the trail to Mount Everest.
4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
3/10
Pretty but empty
agfw-282-7780031 August 2022
Really wanted to love this documentary going in to it and whilst the scenery was lovely and the general idea that a porters life is a hard one, nothing new was really discovered.

I understand the idea was for the young white western man to challenge himself, I found the experience a bit empty.

More frank, open discussions with the native porters and their families would have been eye opening I'm sure, along the lines of the old timer he spoke to and how they where treated 10 or so years back by the local populace.

I'm hoping he donated his earnings to the other porters and didn't remove the opportunity for a local porter to earn some money for the season.

I can see potential and I hope this inspires more from this team, just with a bit more content and interest in local culture and work life.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Free spirit proving you can live as out of the box as you dare
haydnflores26 September 2020
Having travelled across Spain, Belize, and Guatemala with Nate, I know him as the go-with-the-flow American who never has any qualms with anyone.

A completely open mind and free spirit, Nate is a master of seizing opportunities that test the limits of the human body and mind.

The Porter displays a phenomenal perspective from the Himalayas that few have seen before. Watching this documentary has me thinking of out of the box dreams within my grasp.
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Meeting Nate
gerritonstein26 September 2020
During my trek to Gokyo in 2019 I met Nate 2 times It was in the beginning of his experience as a porter Immediately he got me with enthusiasm The way he talked about the subject and his approach of the delicate subject showed me his compassion and integrity I saw this documentary a year later and was surprised about how he managed to get the right tone and sphere of the living in the Himalayan
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
An incredible journey that shows us a side of Everest we never usually see.
Brandir80226 September 2020
I found this film by accident and started to watch it without really thinking. But I was quickly drawn into the film. It is very subtle and understated, letting the sherpas and the scenery tell the story as Nate went through the same experiences as a group of sherpas taking equipment/suppliers to Everest basecamp for 'western' tourists.

It was an incredible journey that shows us a side of Everest we never usually see.
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Incredible story and production
michaelcrhoads26 September 2020
The incredible footage and amazing voyage that Nate takes really helps bring the situation down to a somewhat relatable level. An average American putting himself in the shoes, actual shoes, of an impoverished/struggling class of people. It shows how incredibly difficult and dangerous the profession they're in to provide for their families. Foreigners come into their country and user their services, which I have no issue with, but the film exposes how they're seen as disposable and treated entirely unfairly. It causes you to think about how your actions do affect the people that you encounter even while traveling for a short period of time.

There really isn't a personally produced film like it and it sets a new bar for the genre.
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Incredible
connorcyoung-9706229 September 2020
This is a powerful film that opened my eyes to an incredible injustice. Everyone should watch this film and spread Nate's message, hopefully leading to positive change.
2 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Bringing light to these issues can bring change
kathkristu15 October 2020
Thank you for bringing light into this issue. This documentry clearly shows us about the unorganized accomodation and low salary rate for porters. I was really concerned about their health and safety, carrying that big load.

With the clients as well, not everyone is in a situation of tipping hundred dollars for sure. In most circumstances, people have this mindset in Nepal that, white faces are rich and have a lot of money, which is obviously not always true.

Hopefully, this will help to improve the current situation. Namaste🙏
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
A Harrowing Reality Check
jnannen28 September 2020
A visceral and necessary testament to the power of the human spirit. The filmmaker's lust for life and quest for understanding are contagious. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who may need to zoom out on their life and take careful stock of the luxuries afforded to Westerners and how we might pay that privilege forward to rally behind a worthy cause and champion the rights of those who are deeply and wrongfully mired in an oppressive cycle of back-breaking labor and crippling poverty. If you require a worthy cause to rally behind, watch this film immediately.
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Never seen another film quite like it
leobraudy29 September 2020
Nate takes the viewer into a side of climbing Everest arguably no other Westerners have ever seen, let alone filmed. An eye opening film and a must watch.
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
wonderfully done and deeply insightful
mjroberson28 September 2020
A raw and unique look into the life of a sherpa. This film does a phenomenal job demonstrating some of the vastness of this life by allowing those who should be telling their story to tell it. Important lessons in privilege, empathy, and resilience wrapped up in a documentary that will hopefully be a catalyst for positive change throughout the region and industry. Enjoy and reflect
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Bravo
jr_bordley29 September 2020
A fascinating film. An eyeopener. I knew nothing about the porter culture before viewing this film. I had my seventh grade World Geography students watch this film to complement our studies of South Asia. I had my advisees watch this film for inspiration during the early months of corona lockdown in spring 2020. It is definitely worth watching. Thank you for sharing your story and bringing attention to the struggles of porters.
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Phenomenal
ctsjd9 October 2020
Great documentary. This journey is a bucket list activity for some. But the side of the story that Nate revealed showed ones daily grind. Gave me a great perspective!
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
The Pain behind the smile
bijencha18 October 2020
Everyone knows Sherpas. This is the story of Tamangs. Great job trying to experience their work first hand.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
I am so moved!
bednarekdor12 October 2020
Thank you for making this film. I was there almost 30 years ago, nothing has changed... The life is as harsh as it used to be. Thank you for showing Sherpas as human beings. Thank you for treating them as humans... especially for making them lough... Hope this movie would help them to get somewhat bigger fraction of what they should be earning...
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
INSANE!!!
nacho-9318819 January 2021
The best documentary I've seen in the past couple of years
0 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Absolutely extraordinary
prajit-0050214 October 2020
Never has anyone highlighted the lives of the Nepalese sherpas by being one of them. As an avid hiker, I found this documentary incredibly moving on many levels. It is a piece of art.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Incredible. EBC without a focus on the scenery.
poleyian29 December 2020
This film has just blown me away. Intending trekking to EBC next year and thought I had a fairly good understanding of what goes on. How wrong could I be. This film is warts and all and then some. Like many places round the world there are jobs that are seen as a way of providing for family etc. I'd guess there are few as tough as this and which reward so little as the porters in the Himalayas. Well worth an hour of your time.
0 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
An error has occured. Please try again.

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Clear your history

Recently Viewed