Watch Hillary

As a historic and inspirational figure, Sir Edmund Hillary is widely known as the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. However, little is known about his life beyond this accomplishment. TVNZ 1's 2016 miniseries, "Hillary," sheds light on the personal, professional and political challenges that Hillary faced during his life.

The show follows a non-linear narrative structure, which is divided into two separate timelines – Hillary's early years in New Zealand and his trek to Everest, and the later years of his life when he became a well-known public figure and humanitarian. In the earlier timeline, viewers witness the difficult circumstances that Hillary faced as a child. His father left the family, and his mother had to work hard to support Hillary and his siblings. However, Hillary's mother instilled in him a sense of resilience and fortitude from an early age, which he later carried through his life.

In 1953, Hillary sets out to climb Mount Everest with his trusted companion, Tenzing Norgay. The show illustrates the immense physical and mental fortitude required for such an expedition, as well as the numerous obstacles that Hillary and Norgay face along the way. Notably, the pair had to navigate treacherous terrain, harsh weather, and their own physical limitations. However, through sheer determination, they were able to reach the summit, solidifying Hillary's place in history.

The latter timeline of the show focuses on Hillary's later years, after he becomes a global celebrity. The show illustrates the challenges that he faced as a public figure. He had to navigate the expectations and scrutiny of adoring fans and global media outlets, while still pursuing his philanthropic goals. Notably, the challenges that Hillary faced in his later years were not only physical but also mental. The show portrays his struggles with depression, which was a topic not often discussed at the time.

Clinton, New Zealand, plays a significant role in the show as it is Hillary's hometown where he returns to after his successful journey to the Everest. The show explains this in detail and highlights the reception he received in Clinton, which is depicted as one of genuine admiration, respect, and love. Hillary remained connected to his roots throughout his life, which is depicted in the show.

From a technical perspective, the cinematography and design of the show are exquisite. The beautiful New Zealand landscapes, Himalayan mountains, and other settings are captured in stunning detail, emphasizing the vastness and beauty of the life Hillary lived. The show boasts excellent production values, and it's apparent that great care was taken in documenting Hillary's story with a lot of detail and accuracy.

Overall, "Hillary" is an engaging, poignant, and thoroughly researched miniseries that does an incredible job of bringing Sir Edmund Hillary's exceptional life to the small screen. It's even more impressive that it explores intimate details of Hillary's life that were previously unknown, which adds depth and nuance to his legacy. The show is definitely worth a watch, not only for history buffs and Hillary fans, but for anyone interested in exploring the life of an extraordinary person.

Hillary is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between August 21, 2016 and on TVNZ 1