To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first ascent of the world's highest mountain, this documentary looks at the history of attempts to climb Everest, using interviews, analysis and archive footage to paint seven short, vivid portraits of its place in our national culture. In 1953 the conquest of Everest seemed a potent symbol for all that was great about Britain. Since then, it has seen heroism, tragedy, nationalistic competition and ecological nightmare. Producer Jenny Abbott
Executive producers John-Paul Davidson and Mark Harrison