International Film: North Face (Germany, 2008, 121 min.)

A handful of men set aside their differences to conquer one of Europe's tallest mountains in this period drama inspired by a true story. In 1936, Nazi Germany is looking to shore up its reputation in the eyes of the world and, after a pair of German climbers dies in an effort to climb the North face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps, the state is looking for another team to succeed where the earlier team failed. Close friends Toni Kurzand and Andi Hinterstoisser are accomplished climbers serving in the German army. While Hinterstoisser is willing to take the risk in the name of patriotism, Kurz is cynical about the Third Reich and says he'll put his life on the line only for his own reasons and not to please Germany's leaders. Kurz and Hinterstoisser finally begin the climb in mid-summer, only to discover that a pair of Austrians, Willy Angerer and Edi Rainer, are now challenging them in a race to the top.--All Movie Guide.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.