The Summit of the Gods (2021) User Reviews

The new film adaptation based on this manga is OUTSTANDING

[paul-allaer · 8/10 · 6 December 2021]

As' "The Summit of the Gods" (2021 release from France; 95 min.), we watch 2 guys from a distant past climbing up Mount Everest. We are then introduced to Makato Fukamuchi, a Japanese journalist-photographer who is in Nepal covering another Mount Everest expedition. Later that day, he is offered what is described as George Mallory's original camera from his doomed 1924 expedition. It seems that a climber named Habu Joji got his hands on that camera somehow. Makato needs to track down Habu and get to the bottom of this... At this point we are less than 10 min. Into the animated film.

Couple of comments: let me preface my comments by saying that I had never heard of (or read) this manga before seeing the film, and hence I cannot comment how closely the film adaptation sticks to the original manga, both in story and in spirit. But I will say this: while it took me a little bit to figure out what was going on plot-wise in the film, before I fully realized it I was drawn into this story and this film, hook, line and sinker. Indeed the strong story telling is key, but there is more to it than that: the animation is fantastic, with an incredible attention to detail, and the original score is equally superb. As for the movie's audio: even though the movie is set in today's (meaning 1990's) Japan (with flashbacks to earlier side stories in Nepal), all characters speak in French. Do yourself a favor and be sure to change the movie's settings to French audio with English subtitles, rather than the default setting of English dubbed. It makes a significant difference (I watched the first 5 minutes in dubbed English, and then changed the audio setting to French with English subtitles, restarting the movie from scratch). Bottom ,line: I found myself almost transfixed by the whole experience, and was sorry to see the movie come to its end.

"The Summit of the Gods" premiered at this year's Cannes film festival to critical acclaim. Some European countries were lucky enough to see this released in theaters. In the US, we had no such luck. The movie premiered on Netflix over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and almost immediately was trending on Netflix. I haven't read the original manga that the movie is based on and hence watched this as a stand-alone experience. If you love animated films, or are into extreme sports, I'd readily suggest you check this out on Netflix, and draw your own conclusion.

This explains - why do some people risk their lives climbing mountains?

[punitsethi · 8/10 · 8 January 2022]

This excellent watch lets you in on the minds and hearts of the mountain-climbers. I'm no mountain climber, but watching Habu Joji's journey made me realise -

Mountain climbing is one of the few places that demands you to live-in-the-moment. One miss and you risk your life. In that sense, it is one of the few places where the thrill of living-on-the-edge intersects with truly living-in-the-now.

And those who've experienced this first-hand find any other way to live too dull to be considered "living". And at that point, it's either "living" climbing-mountains and taking risks or not living. And, when you look at things from this perspective, all the risk mountain climbers take starts to makes sense..

The Mysteries Of Everest

[Pairic · 8/10 · 30 November 2021]

The Summit of the Gods: French animated film based on a Japanese Manga comic. About mountaineering and Everest in particular. A photo-journalist encounters a Japanese climber who has been missing for years, he seems to have Mallory's camera. This could answer the question: did Mallory and Irvine reach the summit of Mount Everest? The climber has a chequered past, tragedies as well as triumphs. After the death of a young climber he had a breakdown. A quest ensues, not just for the camera as the photographer realises that he has to accompany the climber on his attempt to climb Everest. A tale of derring-do and an exploration of what motivates people to risk their lives in pursuit of a dream. The animation makes the terror of avalanches, slips and hanging from a rope come to life but also the triumphs of achieving an objective. The story of Mallory and Irvine is intertwined with a fictional tale of obsession to good effect. Directed & co-written by Patrick Imbert. On Netflix. 7.5/10.

An emotional, visual, and auditory masterpiece...

[benjaminskylerhill · 10/10 · 12 December 2021]

...that chronicles the tragedies and triumphs of obsession and ambition like no other film I've ever seen.

The hand-drawn animation is among the most gorgeous ever put to screen, emphasising the sheer beastly size of the landscapes that these mountaineers attempt to scale. It really makes the futility of their goals all the more tangible.

Yet at the same time, the rich emotion experienced by these characters' successes and failures is also on full display, and it serves as a reminder that our physical insignificance easily pales in comparison to the passions and persistence in our humanity.

This is easily among the top 5 best films of 2021.

Stunning visuals, Gripping story

[bastienroiz · 10/10 · 22 September 2021]

Adapted from Jiro Taniguchi's manga, The summit of the gods is a visually gorgeous animated feature. It follows two characters, Habu and his obsession with climbing Everest and Fukamachi, a mountain photographer investigating Habu, and an old timey camera that may hold the secret of George Mallory's expedition...

The animation is incredibly good, conveying the mountain atmosphere extremely well, the sound design and music really emphasize it, adding to the unique feeling of such setting.

The story is also very well adapted from the material, streamlining the manga's narrative to focus on the two main characters and their respective quest. Keeping the back and forth in time of the book, it really works well at shining a light on the character's past, while also following theri ascension.

A wonderful animated movie that deserves your curiosity.

Cool visual style

[mutantdani · 6/10 · 17 January 2022]

I'm not interested by the climbing theme or story of the movie but the animation is so fine and it's difficult to find movie with this style. Have some dramatic moments that add a point of quality.

Perfect...

[koschwarz · 10/10 · 14 December 2021]

...in every way. Excellent story, breathtaking visuals, superb sounds and score. Easily the best film in 2021 though it hasn't been a real competition with a bunch of crap movies released in this year. Sometimes I couldn't believe it was an animation. The story is so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. A hidden gem on Netflix, absolutely worth watching it.

Very much worth seeing! The compelling magic of mountaineering

[gcsman · 7/10 · 20 January 2022]

Japanese mountaineer/photogapher Fukamachi becomes obsessed with tracking legendary older mountaineer Habu, who has disappeared for several years after a tragic accident while climbing with a boy. The gruff, reclusive Habu is obsessed in turn with the simple experience of climbing -- the harder and more insane the better. There's a MacGuffin, which is the camera belonging to George Mallory, who may or may not have been the first to reach the summit of Everest. All this is woven together in an anime film that's easy to watch, and has moments of real power.

The quality of the graphics is fascinating in itself. The people are well drawn but deliberately short of fully realistic ("masking" -- it's easier to visualize yourself in the scene if the characters aren't ultra-specific). It's the mountains themselves that are rendered with the highest levels of craftsmanship and photorealism, and they are really spectacular. The final big sequence of the story, on the high southwest slopes of Everest itself, is wonderful and told largely without words. Great stuff. This is a French production and so it makes sense that this particular approach to animation follows in the footsteps of Herge and Tintin.

Why climb? Mallory famously said "Because it's there" and ultimately there's no further answer. This is a story of obsession, and rather than treat it as abnormal or psychotic, finally it's just part of being human.

One odd thing about the Netflix version I watched: the English dubbing doesn't match the English subtitles by a long shot . They're both good but obviously done by different translators.

Loved it!

[TreeFiddy53 · 9/10 · 2 December 2021]

What a movie! For me, this is one of the best I've watched this year.

This French animation is based on a Japanese manga of the same name, set in Nepal. Content like this makes you feel "Huh! Small World!" BTW, parts of the story are inspired from true events from 1924.

I went into the movie without knowing anything about it, so I'll spare the plot but the story - gripping, visuals-stunning, sound design-phenomenal, editing-incredible!

The "bUt aNImATiOn iS fOr kiDs" gang should watch this. While kids would surely enjoy this movie, but the way this poetic story of obsession/determination is told while balancing excitement, suspense and sadness - grownups would appreciate this because it's different from anything that you'd usually watch, regardless of if you watch animation or not.

Would highly recommend that you watch this, especially given the short runtime of only around 90 mins.

Extremely superficial.

[alejandroalcantara_ · 6/10 · 13 February 2022]

60/100

Much in The Summit of the Gods doesn't feel planned... enough. It seems as if it only knew so much to include in an already short-timed feature and, one of those things was likeability, or a lack of it thereof.

The medium of animation resided much more as a budget limitation than a way to pay homage to the original manga. That's also why it only feels like it's trying its darnest to make a statement all the way towards the end. It only lets the potential of an inspiring story shine through during insipid amounts of time, you just don't end up caring, the movie doesn't matter in the long run.

Beautiful movie

[Kol88 · 9/10 · 30 November 2021]

If you ever had passion in life, passion for anything no matter what, this is a movie to watch. Beautifully animated, written, well paced and satisfying from beginning to the end. Definitely another movie worth watching on Netflix and another animated gem.

Beautiful film that's about more than just mountaineering.

[chinmayarawat · 7/10 · 25 January 2022]

I had been really looking forward to this film since I saw its trailer and am delighted how truly "international" this film is. Japanese animation, a story geographically covering Asia and Europe, and brought by a French studio. Beautiful and thought provoking, but also led to an internal fear of missing out the "living" part in my life.

Everything you could want

[svenlauke · 10/10 · 3 December 2021]

This is a clear 10/10 for me. Beautiful images, and seeing how it's "animated" it's amazing it can compete with the real life vista's of the mountains it adores. Haunting score that perfectly conveys the majesty and danger of mountaineering. And an incredibly gripping story of ups and downs (pun intended).

This will likely be an all time favourite of mine from here on out.

A simple visual masterpiece

[omegura · 8/10 · 15 December 2021]

A beautifully intricate and simple story about taking that step forward.

This film is going to have a short review. A very beautiful piece of art that I recommend everyone to see. A simple story with realistic consequences and surreal sequences. It shows both the danger of climbing and the unexplainable passion behind the journey to the top. Such a magnificent tale.

Why Climb The Highest Mountain? This Is Why!

[CinemaClown · 6 June 2022]

What begins as a young photojournalist's obsessive quest for truth about the first expedition to Mount Everest quietly evolves into a fascinating lens that provides an insight into the mindset & philosophy of mountaineers. A beautifully animated film, The Summit of the Gods is an attempt to understand what drives & motivates these climbers to ascend the highest peaks.

Co-written & directed by Patrick Imbert, the passion for climbing mountains isn't something that most people can identify with but almost everyone can resonate with the all-consuming passion, purpose & desire that compels us towards a certain goal. And that's what this film does. It takes that idea of obsession that we can all relate to and weaves a profoundly human story around it.

The narrative still has its ups n downs as the plot is only compelling in brief snippets and pacing also falters at times. But thanks to its stellar animation & impeccable sound design, the visual & aural elements together offer a sensory experience that aptly acquaints us with the sheer might & challenge of surviving such harsh, formidable setting as well as the adrenaline & spiritual high of overcoming those obstacles.

Overall, The Summit of the Gods (Le sommet des dieux) is truly a visual & aural feast that aptly steers its two storylines towards the same intersection and offers an intimate perspective about these daredevils who prefer living on the edge. Giving its viewers a taste of the awe, thrill, fear & exhilaration of mountaineering while also serving as an ode to the human curiosities that define our being, this animated effort is worth a shot.

accepting who you are and doing it even if it's stupid.

[fh147 · 7/10 · 18 February 2024]

This French cartoon looks so beautiful that Japanese character designed because of the original manga looks so good and detailed and smooth it fills almost like I'm watching an anime from the 90s from the character The designed it's just so nostalgic.

We the story is told feel very smooth like you're learning about the past through journalism and looking at old archives. It's just such a nice way of telling it and I could really feel the character's emotion and why they were doing the things they were doing in the movie.

It is fun while I was watching this movie with my female friend. She asking why they're doing what they're doing and I keep saying because they are men you know men have to do stuff because they stupid man we can't stop doing it because we are man it was very hilarious.

Why do we do what we do because there's some part of us that can stop if we have to do it if we don't we begin to destroy ourselves and live a lie. I feel this movie is about accepting who you are and doing it even if it's stupid.

Himalayas deserve this capable reverence

[seedsfennel · 10/10 · 14 December 2021]

The himalayas in all its glory. The animation, the soundtrack is glorious. Sublime work. Loved every frame. The French are leading the way in animation. Outstanding piece of art. I doubt the year will see any better animation movie.

Uphill lives

[danybur · 7/10 · 14 December 2021]

Summary

This remarkable French animated film, but with a Japanese aesthetic, is a fiction that addresses the world of mountaineers, transmits the smallness of the human being in front of the immensity of the mountains and recounts the constant challenges that climbers impose themselves, putting their life, a life literally and permanently uphill.

Review

Makoto Fumagachi is a Tokyo photographer and photojournalist who documents the ascents of mountaineers. While in Nepal, he learns of the existence of a camera belonging to George Mallory, a British climber who was part of the first three expeditions to climb Everest and who disappeared in the third (1924) without knowing if he had reached the top or not. His camera photos could shed light on this question. On the other hand, said camera would be in the power of another important (fictional) climber, Habu Joji, whom Makoto will try to contact and who will become the other protagonist of the film.

The French film Patrick Imbert is based on a Japanese manga and novel, and its graphics are faithful to the animations of that origin, especially in the approach to the human figure. The imposing images of the mountains are at times almost photographic realism.

Although its temporal structure is interesting and Makoto's journalistic investigation has something of a thriller and contains effective and tense scenes during the escalations, with their physical and meteorological setbacks, The Summit of the Gods is one more film of climates and impressions, with frames that emphasize the smallness of the human being in the face of the immensity of the mountains and effectively convey the sensation of ascent. And, above all, it is a story that delves into the psychology of mountaineers, who not only set themselves the challenge of reaching the peaks but also of doing it again through more difficult roads and in increasingly adverse conditions, without giving up and putting his life at stake, a permanently and literally uphill life.

Excellent View!!!

[Atrey_Doury · 8/10 · 25 December 2021]

This movie delivers an intense atmospheric tale of substantial heft in its limited run time The best compliment I can pay to this feature is that it made me forget that I was watching an animated movie. The narrative says a lot without using too many words. The characters feel close to you without being intrusive. The tale, though limited in its scope, is not just engaging but also satisfying.

The direction is impeccable. The animation is great without being exceptional. The climbing scenes are realistic and exceptionally choreographed. The narrative never lags but doesn't feel rushed either.

Very Impressive! I recommend it without any hesitation.

Excellent!

A breathtaking animation that will leave your jaw dropping as soon as the first scene comes on the screen.

[AndyCordReviews · 7/10 · 2 January 2022]

With a style of animation much inspired by Studio Ghibli, this is a simple story about mountain climbing, but more importantly about how far one is willing to go when following their passions.

We follow mostly two characters, the mountain climber Habu and the photojournalist Fukamachi and how their obsession might have more in common than they think.

The eternal question of why, why do people make certain decisions that may put their life at risk? Why do they constantly push their limits? Is it the competition that drives them? Is it something else? Is there a right or wrong answer to all these questions? This is what this movie is about at its core.

It is at times a bit slow-paced, but even if you don't enjoy the story that much, it's impossible not to be completely taken back by the quality of animation and its breathtaking scenes, music, and sound effects.

Powerful

[shaf_h · 9/10 · 5 December 2021]

Every now and then, a animated masterpiece like The Red Turtle and this are released. Beautifully animated, poigant score and a touching story. A must watch.

Enjoyable

[nixiesh · 7/10 · 4 December 2021]

It is thrilling as Habo is missing and he is trying to find him as he discovers Habo's climbing expeditions and his social life. It is about a Japanese climber and unravelling mysteries.

Great visuals but way way too slow

[bigbadbassface · 4/10 · 19 January 2022]

The idea and the animation style were great. The beginning gets you interested in the characters, and the search starts out exciting. By the last 25% I realized it was going nowhere. There was no action and little payoff, with a poor attempt at tugging on your heart strings. Would have been great as a one hour film but boring as a feature.

Human Ambition

[Filmcrook · 8/10 · 30 December 2021]

This year, I haven't seen many animations, but this one sticks out. The Summit of Gods is one of the best films of the year, not just in the genre of animation, but overall. The story is sincere and covers the human ambition of success and also the difficulties that can come with it. The art style is rich and attractive. I'd love to experience it on the silver screen. The Summit of Gods will undoubtedly thrill its audience while also surprising them with how mature and engaged this is in the characters. I'd love to experience it on the silver screen.

An absolute gem that will leave you stunned

[KeepDreaming86 · 10/10 · 1 May 2022]

I have not read the manga the film is adapted from but it's not necessary to be completely captured by the film from the first scene. It's a quest that will resonate within each of us, whether it takes the form of climbing summit or doing something else. It's about being true to one's nature.

The soundtrack composed by Amine Bouhafa is a masterpiece that will hunt you for weeks.