A voyage into the Himalayas with the great mountain climber Reinhold Messner. What makes this undertaking all the more extraordinary is the fact that the two climbers set off on their expedition without oxygen tanks and without high-altitude base camps, taking only their backpacks with them.

Focusing on the human aspect of a seemingly impossible climb, Werner Herzog allows the viewer to connect with the climbers on an almost visceral level. The result is a powerful, empathetic documentary which captures the full scope of its protagonists’ emotions as well as the breathtaking scenery.