Nanga Parbat

The film opens with a flashback of Reinhold and Günther Messner pushing toward the summit, a perilous ascent that nonetheless succeeds. The climb is so dangerous that Günther's life is placed in jeopardy, underscoring the brothers' fearless drive. The moment establishes the bond and rivalry that will haunt them later on the Nanga Parbat expedition.

Karl Herrligkoffer publicly blames Reinhold for Günther’s death as the media crowds surround him. Reinhold enters the hall in shock, trying to tell his side of the story while journalists press for details. The scene frames the central conflict of guilt and legacy.

In South Tyrol, the Messner brothers begin climbing in their hometown, starting with the church wall in St. Peter in Villnöss. Their audacious behavior draws the ire of adults but fuels a growing obsession with mountains. These early exploits sow the seeds for their later ascent of Nanga Parbat.

The brothers are brought into their father’s classroom and harshly scolded for risking their lives on the wall. The moment reinforces the tension between curiosity and safety in their upbringing. It also cements their fierce independence.

From the church rooftop, the boys glimpse a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding peaks. The sight deepens their dream of conquering Nanga Parbat and sets the course for their future expeditions. It marks a turning point from play to ambition.

As their paths diverge into adulthood, Reinhold visits a hospital to meet Karl Herrligkoffer, long associated with Nanga Parbat expeditions. They strike a plan to undertake a German expedition together. The meeting forges the professional link that will launch their ascent.

The Messner brothers travel to Pakistan and must secure funding from the German government. In Rawalpindi they advocate for support with officials and push through the necessary approvals. The political and logistical hurdles begin to frame the expedition's challenges.

The team reaches the base camp at Rupal Flank and confronts brutal cold and snow. The survival conditions strain every member, testing their resolve. The harsh environment sets the stage for the decisions that follow on the ascent.

As weather worsens at higher altitudes, the base camp signals poor conditions. Reinhold refuses to alter course and urges the others to return to base camp, convincing Günther to retreat with the team. Günther chooses to stay with Reinhold to continue toward the summit, setting up the later tragedy.

Despite cold and hunger, the two brothers reach the summit and plant their flag in defiance of the harsh weather. The moment seals their historic achievement and cements their enduring bond. They savor a rare victory before beginning the dangerous descent.

On the way down, Günther is gravely injured by the weather and lack of food; a tragedy unfolds as an avalanche claims Günther’s life. Reinhold, devastated, chooses a longer, dangerous route via the Diamir face. The descent becomes a race for survival rather than a triumph.

Reinhold reaches the Diamir Valley where locals rescue him and bring him toward safety. He trudges toward the Rupal Flank base camp with frostbite affecting his foot. Later, a Pakistan army officer helps reunite him with the expedition team.

The narrative shifts to Reinhold recovering in a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria. Family and supporters gather as he regains strength and processes the loss of Günther. The hospital scenes contrast the triumph with the heavy cost of the ascent.

The film closes with people gathering in a church to pay condolence to Reinhold and his parents for Günther’s death. The community’s mourning frames the expedition as both a towering achievement and a tragedy. The final image meditates on legacy and memory.