Backdrop image for movie The Castaways Of Mont Blanc

The Castaways Of Mont Blanc (2002)

This documentary is a reconstruction, based on archive footage, testimonies, and filmed reconstructions, of the Vincendon / Henry tragedy. December 1956: Jean Vincendon and François Henry, two young mountaineers, aspire to join the High Mountain Group. Lacking experience, they set out to climb Mont Blanc via the Brenva spur in the middle of winter. The weather conditions deteriorated, and they decided to give up before meeting Walter Bonatti and Sylvano Gheser. They then decided to continue the climb and set off in two different roped parties. Bonatti decided to take refuge at the Vallot refuge higher up, rather than descend. The two young mountaineers, overcome by the poor weather conditions and fatigue, remained stuck for several days at 4,000 meters. What followed was a completely disorganized rescue operation that became, for more than ten days, a spectacle for all of France and a national tragedy.

  • History
  • Documentary
  • Drama

Top billed cast

  • Photo of Jean VincendonJean VincendonSelf (archive footage)
  • Photo of François HenryFrançois HenrySelf (archive footage)
  • Photo of Claude DufourmantelleClaude DufourmantelleSelf
  • Photo of Lionel TerrayLionel TerraySelf (archive footage)
  • Photo of Walter BonattiWalter BonattiSelf (archive footage)
  • Photo of Pierre CouttetPierre CouttetSelf
  • Photo of Gilbert ChappazGilbert ChappazSelf
  • Photo of Jacques PetetinJacques PetetinSelf
  • Photo of Jean BrissaudJean BrissaudSelf
  • Photo of Honoré BonnetHonoré BonnetSelf

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