K2 (1991)

A U.S. climbing team, funded by millionaire Clairborne is determined to conquer K2.

Director:

Franc Roddam

Writers:

Patrick Meyers (screenplay), Scott Roberts (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Biehn, Matt Craven, Annie Grindlay

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Biehn	...	Taylor
Matt Craven	...	Harold
Annie Grindlay	...	Lisa
Elena Wohl	...	Tracey (as Elena Stiteler)
Blu Mankuma	...	Man on Wheelchair
Charles Oberman	...	Tony
Julia Nickson	...	Cindy (as Julia Nickson-Soul)
Christopher M. Brown	...	Carl (as Christopher Brown)
Leslie Carlson	...	Dexter
David Cubitt	...	Peter
Luca Bercovici	...	Dallas
Edward Spatt	...	Mike
Andrew Spatt	...	Todd
Hiroshi Fujioka	...	Takane
Patricia Charbonneau	...	Jacki

Storyline

Taylor and Harold are good friends and avid climbers. While climbing one day, they meet a man who it seems might be attempting to climb K2, the world's second-highest peak. Always pushy, Taylor bugs the man for a spot on the team, claiming that he and Harold are good enough. They may be very good, but K2 is a very tough mountain.

---

Plot Keywords:

friendship between men | rescue | avalanche | mountaineer | base camp | 

---

Taglines:

Between the earth and the sky lies the sheer face of adventure.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Japan USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

K2: The Ultimate High

Filming Locations:

Pakistan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$930,655, 3 May 1992, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,106,559

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Trans Pacific Films, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The New York production of "K2" opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theater in New York on March 30, 1983 and ran for 85 performances. Patrick Meyers wrote both the stage play and the screen play for this movie version.

---

Goofs

British Columbia is spelled wrong throughout the credits ("British Colombia").

---

Quotes

Harold: [Harold and Taylor are in a tent] Hey Taylor, you awake?
Taylor Brooks: No.

---

Alternate Versions

The British version features scenes not present in the US version, including scenes showing Taylor at his job.

---

Connections

Referenced in Incident at Loch Ness (2004)

---

Soundtracks

I Need Ya
by Zahid Tarag
Courtesy of Todd Terry

User Reviews

A competent climb

I remember first seeing this movie when I was eleven or twelve. Then I saw 'Vertical Limit' a few months later and contrary to what I thought would be the case, I enjoyed K2 ten fold more than Martin's Campbell's weak adventure story on the same mountain. Contrary to what many people think, Everest may be the tallest mountain, but K2 is a far more difficult climb.

This film follows two young climbers, Taylor And Harold as they take on the mountain and succeed in reaching the highest peak, because of friendship and the hard team work which comes from loyalty to each other. The picture chooses to focus on characters and emotion, rather than edge of seat adventure. It is the right approach, but as a side effect, the story sometimes plods a little. As a lead role, Michael Biehn is surprisingly good. Typically a supporting actor, I find that many of his performances are a little weak, but not here. He does what is necessary to make a convincing character, far better than Chris O'Donnell in 'Vertical Limit'.

Free from clichés and artificial drama, K2 is a competent and touching movie, maybe not brilliant, but it lifts you.