‘North face’ of vertical Swiss mountain  There are multiple ways
to get high, with the method chosen by two heroic young men in
the German adventure “North Face” being one of the most deadly.
In a story based on real-life events, they have chosen to climb
the previously unconquered north face of the Eiger, a nearly
vertical mountain of snow and ice in Switzerland that has proven
a deathtrap for many.  It’s 1936, the eve of WWII, and the Nazis
are determined that the mountain be conquered by Germans. And so
two Bavarians, Andi and the reluctant Toni, find themselves
facing death on ice.  Kolja Brandt’s hand-held cinematography
(some on location, some in a refrigerated warehouse) and Philipp
Stolzl’s direction keep the suspense level high.  Unfortunately,
somebody decided to insert a superfluous love story involving a
completely fabricated female photojournalist.  At some two
hours, the film is 30 minutes too long. Cutting out the
melodrama and sticking with the daring-do is the answer.  Share
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