K2 (1992)

23% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(5,076 ratings)

A pair of climbers attempts to scale the world's second-largest and most dangerous mountain in this visually impressive but dramatically weak adventure. Skirt-chasing lawyer Taylor Brooks (Michael Biehn) and sedate family man Harold Jamison (Matt Craven) share a love of risky mountain climbing and… More A pair of climbers attempts to scale the world's second-largest and most dangerous mountain in this visually impressive but dramatically weak adventure. Skirt-chasing lawyer Taylor Brooks (Michael Biehn) and sedate family man Harold Jamison (Matt Craven) share a love of risky mountain climbing and embark on numerous collaborative expeditions. During one of these climbs, they encounter a team of fellow mountaineers preparing to tackle the legendary Pakistani mountain K2. Brooks immediately becomes obsessed with this task, and he convinces the reluctant Jamison to join the team. The bulk of the film centers on the dangerous climb and even more challenging descent, beset with challenges both natural and human. Though adapted from a stage play by Patrick Myers, the schematic personal dramas take a back seat to cinematographer Gabriel Beristain's overwhelming landscapes, filmed both on location at the real K2 and on a smaller Canadian peak. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Franc Roddam
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: May 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Jun 25, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Forget about climbing the mountain, I found it difficult enough just sitting through this film.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A well-photographed and handsome litany of cliche and stereotype.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Manages to provide several credible answers to the famous and oft-asked question-why climb mountains?

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Cast

            Michael Biehn as Taylor Brooks

            Matt Craven as Harold Jamieson

            Raymond J. Barry as Claiborne

            Hiroshi Fujioka as Takane Shimuzu

            Luca Bercovici as Dallas Woolf

            Patricia Charbonneau as Jacki Metcalfe

            Julia Nickson as Cindy

            Jamal Shah as Malik

            Annie Grindlay as Lisa

            Elena Stiteler as Tracey

            Ghulam Abbas as Balti Porter

            Laurie Briscoe as Handsome Woman

            Christopher M. Brown as Carl

            Les Carlson as Dexter

            Lillian Carlson as Secretary

            David Cubitt as Peter

            Gabrielle Dellal as Frenchwoman

            Shah Jehan as Balti Liaison Officer

            Abdul Karim as Balti Porter

            Asghar Khan as Balti Porter

            Blu Mankuma as Man in Wheelchair

            Hadji Mejdi as Lambardar

            Kehli O'Byrne as Pam

            Charles Oberman as Tony

            Nazir Sabir as Balti Liaison Officer

            Rajeb Shah as Balti Porter

            Andrew Spat as Todd

            Edward Spatt as Mike

            Buddy Uzzaman as Ibrahim

            Tim Van Rellim as Steiner

            Ibrahim Zahid as Balti Porter

            Michelle Anton Allen
            
            Victoria Thomas
            
            Antony Holland as Priest

            Elena Wohl
            
            Leslie Carlson
            
See full cast