Life of a Mountain: Scafell Pike

As we get back into the swing of a working week after the Easter weekend, Terry Abraham released his much anticipated film "Life of a Mountain: Scafell Pike" to the folk who backed him via Indiegogo.

For a number of years Terry has been making short films of his wild camps in the hills of the Peak District near to his home, and also the Lakes. Initially for himself, and then short 'showcase' films for people like the Peak District National Park and others. Then last year, 2013, he released his first feature length Kickstarter crowd-funded film, "The Cairngorms in Winter". Following on from its success he switched to Indiegogo to enable him to finish an epic project then already under-way.

The result is "Life of a Mountain: Scafell Pike".

Throughout the year long making of the film Terry released 'teasers', short clips of scenes, some of which we see in the final cut. Unsurprisingly many of the scenes are of the landscape, panning around, or are of Terry's characteristic timelapses that simply and effectively let the land speak for itself especially the dramatic snow plastered crags of winter. And of the many people who live, work, and of course play on the mountain and the area around it. Skilled editing delivers a unique and powerful documentary. If there are any unpolished glitches they don't shout loudly enough to remember. The background music balances the footage well and never intrudes but builds into the emotional experience. Aye, you'll be a heartless so-and-so if you don't shed a tear before the curtain closes.

There wasn't anything I didn't like. It is difficult to pick any one scene over the others that particularly stood out. If I have to chose I'd go for the cloud inversion sequences which come the close to the awesome magnificence of the real thing. Or perhaps the inspired choice of shepherdess Alison O'Neill with her strikingly beautiful dog to both open and close the film. Jos Naylor is obviously quite a character so maybe I'll choose those scenes! Or maybe I'll just have to watch it again.

The film premier is at The Rheged Centre on the 10th May 2014. Terry and his film can also be found a few days later at Keswick Mountain Festival later in May and tickets are on sale.

Beth

I watched it last night on BBC4 and really enjoyed it. On BBC iplayer now for the next month.