Polartec collaborates with MacGillivray Freeman Films

In February 2022, MacGillivray Freeman Films, the world’s leading independent producer and distributor of original 70mm giant-screen films, will re-release Everest, its successful big-screen documentary, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the production company’s historic film expedition, during which the very first Imax images were shot on the summit of Mount Everest. Polartec and parent company Milliken are the worldwide presenting sponsors of the film, which has been digitally remastered in 16k resolution. The critically acclaimed film was first released in 1998 and has since earned more than $152 million at box offices worldwide, making it the highest-grossing giant-screen documentary ever.

Narrated by Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson to music by George Harrison, Everest is the dramatic true story of a team of four climbers who undertook the ascent of Mount Everest just days after the deaths of their fellow climbers and friends in the 1996 disaster. The film is a story of hope, strength and triumph in the wake of tragedy, showing audiences all the power and resilience of the human soul.

“When it was launched nearly 25 years ago, Everest captured the world’s imagination, and this unedited version will give new generations a chance to be inspired by the exciting story of human triumph over adversity told in the film,” said producer and director Greg MacGillivray. “Thanks to the latest 16k digital scanning technology, the film will look like it was shot yesterday, with spectacular image sharpness, clarity and contrast. Viewers will feel like they’re at the top, standing on the roof of the world.”

To prepare the new, crystal-clear 16k digital images, MacGillivray Freeman’s post-production team is using the same film scanner that was created specifically for the Apollo 11 filmmakers to digitize 70mm-format footage from the NASA archive, shot during its first mission to the Moon.

“Everest plays an important role in the history of cinema on the big screen,” said Shaun MacGillivray, president of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “Its unprecedented success brought new audiences to big-screen theaters, introducing them to the totally immersive experience of large-format movies. We’re thrilled to share this never-before-seen digital version with a whole new audience once again.” 

“The heart of Polartec is the outdoors. In the forty years since we invented technical fleece and other products, our fabrics have been an integral part of the outdoors experience,” says Polartec President Steve Layton. “We were a sponsor twenty-five years ago and to be a global presenting sponsor for the anniversary of Everest’s launch means so much.”

“This story of hope and resilience of the human soul will forever remain in history,” according to Chad McAllister, executive vice president of Milliken & Company and president of Milliken’s textile division. “At Milliken, we are proud to help present this wonderful film to audiences around the world, in keeping with our goal of making a positive impact on everything around us for future generations.”

MacGillivray Freeman’s film crew was working on filming on the mountain when the historic 1996 storm took the lives of eight climbers, a tragedy that had a strong international resonance, chronicled in Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book Thin Air.  The production team played a key role in rescue efforts to save more lives on the mountain.

Everest’s 1998 release was the largest wide release of a large-format film on the entire distribution network and broke all previous attendance records for giant screen theaters. In less than a year after its release, it became the fastest-grossing giant-screen documentary film in history. Everest was produced by Greg MacGillivray, Alec Lorimore and Stephen Judson and co-directed by MacGillivray, Judson and David Breashears.