North Face

North Face

Year: 2008

Runtime: 126 mins

Language: German

Director: Philipp Stölzl

HistoryDramaActionAdventureThriller

A true story North Face tells the story of two German climbers Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser and their attempt to scale the deadly North Face of the Eiger.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen North Face yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – North Face (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of North Face (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1936

Set in 1936, during the interwar era, ambitious climbers seek the first ascent of the Eiger's North Face. The ascent is observed by a growing circle of journalists and tourists who fill the Kleine Scheidegg hotel. The era's mood of national pride and risk adds urgency to every decision, from fix-rope placements to rescue attempts.

Location

Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Bernese Alps (Kleine Scheidegg, Eiger North Face), Berlin, New York City

Set in the Bernese Alps around the Eiger's North Face near Kleine Scheidegg, the climbers base themselves in nearby Berchtesgaden. A luxury hotel above the valley hosts journalists and spectators who watch the ascent unfold from its balconies. The story also brushes Berlin’s and New York City's connections through Luise Fellner's life before and after the climb.

❄️ Alps 🧭 Mountains 🏔️ Alpine setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

Main Characters – North Face (2008)

Meet the key characters of North Face (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Toni Kurz (Benno Fürmann)

A reserved, determined climber from Berchtesgaden who leads his partner in the ascent. He remains focused and cool under pressure, but shows compassion by trying to help injured teammates. His willingness to risk his own safety makes him a figure of tragic sacrifice.

🏔️ Determination 🧭 Courage ❤️ Loyalty

Andreas 'Andi' Hinterstoisser (Florian Lukas)

A highly skilled climber whose technical prowess drives the team's ascent. He fixes a route with a rope across the traverse, and later, in a controversial decision, removes the rope to gain speed, which proves fatal for their return. His courage and pride collide with the risks of the mountain.

⚙️ Skill 🧭 Ambition 🧗‍♂️ Bravery

Luise Fellner (Johanna Wokalek)

Luise Fellner is a journalist assigned to cover the ascent. She moves from Berlin to Kleine Scheidegg and documents the events from the hotel balcony and the valley. Her relationship with Toni adds emotional tension, and after the tragedy she becomes a professional photographer in New York City.

📰 Reporter 📷 Photography ❤️ Romantic tension

Willy Angerer (Simon Schwarz)

An Austrian climber who accompanies the German team. Despite a concussion from a rock strike, he pushes on, demonstrating stubborn endurance. His injuries, and eventual death in the avalanche, underscore the fatal costs of the attempt.

🏔️ Endurance 🧭 Loyalty 💥 Courage

Edi Rainer (Georg Friedrich)

An Austrian climber who follows close behind the lead pair. He enacts loyalty to his companions by pressing on despite danger, and he and Willy face the same grim fate in the avalanche. His death highlights the high price paid for push.

🗺️ Loyalty 🧗‍♂️ Courage 🕊️ Friendship

Henry Arau (Ulrich Tukur)

Luise Fellner's newspaper editor who covers the climb. He is opportunistic and pragmatic, initially planning to leave early but stays because the unfolding drama promises a story. His stance highlights the media's hunger for a spectacle.

🗞️ Media 🧠 Ethics 💡 Insight

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

Major Themes – North Face (2008)

Explore the central themes of North Face (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧗‍♂️ Survival

Climbers push past physical limits as frostbite, avalanches, and fatigue threaten every ascent. The team makes snap decisions under pressure, balancing risk with the obligation to help teammates. The brutal mountain environment exposes the fragility of human life and the cost of ambition.

🤝 Friendship

Friendship under extreme pressure drives actions beyond personal safety. Toni and Andi's bond is tested as competition and cooperation collide. Sacrifice becomes the ultimate act when Toni and Andi choose to aid others at the cost of their own ascent. The film frames loyalty as the core thread through loss.

🗞️ Media

Media coverage shapes the narrative as Luise and Henry Arau report on the climb. Spectators fill the hotel balconies, turning the ascent into a public event. The film explores how press, tourism, and national pride intersect with personal tragedy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of North Face

Don't stop at just watching — explore North Face in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what North Face is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

North Face Summary

Read a complete plot summary of North Face, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

North Face Summary

North Face Timeline

Track the full timeline of North Face with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

North Face Timeline

North Face Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of North Face that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

North Face Spoiler-Free Summary

More About North Face

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about North Face: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About North Face

Similar Movies to North Face

Discover movies like North Face that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.