Off the Edge - Film | NZ On Screen

Video player

Please enable JavaScript

NZ On Screen makes use of Adobe's Flash Player to present video. You're seeing this notice because you don't seem to have JavaScript enabled. Please enable JavaScript and then refresh this page.

Synopsis

Off the Edge is director Michael Firth's ode to the exhilaration of adventuring on the spine of NZ's Southern Alps. Something of a snowy Endless Summer, Firth follows an American and a Canadian as they ski, hang-glide, walk, climb and delve beneath glaciers, over nine months in the Aoraki-Mt Cook area. Thrilling footage amidst requisite spectacular scenery was shot over 45 days, where extreme weather and geography meant few chances for second takes. The film was nominated for an Oscar (best documentary, 1977); the LA Times called it, "beautiful and awesome".

Background

Off the Edge - 1977 production notes by Off the Edge 06.04.2010

"A beautiful and awesome film [...] Off the Edge is a stunner with one amazing vista following another [...] a thoroughly exhilarating experience and one that can be shared by the entire family." Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles ...

Credits (10)

Michael Firth
Director, Producer, Camera

Molly Gregory
Writer

Ron Hajek
Narrator

See all credits ›

Comments (8)

Charles Eggen | website

Posted at 02.09PM - 30.06.2011

The dvd of the film can be purchased from various nz sources for about $20. Three such are:
http://www.offtheedge.co.nz/shopping.html

http://www.screenline.co.nz/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_46&products_id=257

http://www.arovideo.co.nz/film.php?FilmID=2235

kazza

Posted at 04.31AM - 30.06.2011

Great film! Used to own it on video as a kid! Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this film or the soundtrack list?

Brenda Leeuwenberg

Posted at 08.58AM - 19.08.2010

Hi Marty - there is a follow-up film called The Leading Edge. You can see it in full here: http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-leading-edge-1987

martha campbell

Posted at 05.03AM - 19.08.2010

Hi Mike,although I've seen this wonderful adventure film more than 100 times its such a buzz to see it again and actually have a copy.Is there a sequel ??? marty campbell

Charles Eggen | website

Posted at 11.02AM - 13.07.2010

Thanks Mike - I have placed an order.

mikef firth | website

Posted at 03.49PM - 12.07.2010

Hi
we now have an off the edge website www.offtheedge.co.nz dvd's will be available to purchase from end of july
mike firth director

Erica Mason

Posted at 02.10AM - 11.05.2010

I loved this film when I was a teenager and am so glad I found these clips - please, please release it as a DVD it is brilliant and inspirational and would be wonderful for today's newcomers to ski touring, off piste and backcountry skiing. Thanks so much!

Charles Eggen | website

Posted at 09.13AM - 08.04.2010

Thank you, thank you for this, or should I say "Thanks" to Michael Firth for allowing you to do this. Now perhaps you can get him to make it available on DVD. Since both 'The Leading Edge' and 'Off The Edge' have never found their way to dvd, it would seem appropriate to put both on one DL DVD. The Billy T. James fans would welcome the former and the skiing/hang gliding fans would carry the latter. In the meanwhile, I will have a link to this page to help steer folks to another great example at your wonderful site.

Show 3 more comments

View all 8 comments ›

Produced by

Pentacle Films

Source

Adrenalize Ltd

Favourite:

You need to be logged in to add to your favourites.

Embed player size:

340x303
410x356
540x453
Options ›

Player starts with:

Copy this code and paste it into your website. Need help?

<object width="410" height="358"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.nzonscreen.com/nzonscreen-player.swf"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="c=3092&v=3252"> <embed src="http://www.nzonscreen.com/nzonscreen-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="c=3092&v=3252" width="410" height="358"></embed> </object>