Critics’ reviews

Sherpa (2015)

11 reviews from 11 publications. Critics’ score 79: 9 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative.

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79
Positive
9
Mixed
2
Negative
0
Time Out
15 December 2015 · ★★★★★ · Tom Huddleston
100

The review calls the documentary unforgettable. It singles out its account of the Everest disaster from the Sherpas’ perspective.

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Los Angeles Times
1 October 2015 · Sheri Linden
90*

The critic gives the documentary an enthusiastic recommendation, praising its visual magnificence and political urgency. She especially singles out the compelling human drama between guide Phurba Tashi Sherpa and expedition operator Russell Brice.

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Variety
13 July 2015 · festival review · Richard Kuipers
85*

Kuipers gives the documentary a strongly positive verdict, praising its visual magnificence and emotional force. He especially highlights the filmmakers’ balance of intimate Sherpa stories with the disaster’s rescue efforts and political fallout.

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Empire
15 December 2015 · Patrick Peters
80*

The review finds the documentary spectacular, intimate and politically provocative. It praises the film’s forceful examination of Sherpas’ dangerous work and exploitation by Westerners.

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Evening Standard
18 December 2015 · Charlotte O'Sullivan
80*

O'Sullivan finds the documentary tense, fascinating and eye-opening, while noting that it avoids sentimentalising its subject. She praises its stark exposure of the dangerous, often unnecessary labor Sherpas perform for Everest tourists.

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Little White Lies
15 December 2015 · 3/4/3 · Adam Woodward
80

The critic finds the documentary compelling and damning in its account of Sherpa exploitation. He praises its sensitive portrayal of the community and its history, with the tragedy on the mountain intensifying its message.

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Radio Times
★★★★ · David Parkinson
80

Parkinson regards the documentary as compelling and astute. He praises its stunning vistas and intimate insights into Sherpa life.

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The Guardian
17 December 2015 · ★★★★ · Henry Barnes
80

Barnes calls the documentary smart, genuine and thoughtful. He praises its account of Sherpa workers recognizing their power after the deadly avalanche.

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Total Film
14 December 2015 · Stephen Puddicombe
70*

Puddicombe gives the documentary a clearly positive assessment, noting its damning view of the Everest industry. He praises how Peedom builds tension and uses candid footage to expose Western climbers’ entitled attitudes.

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Screen Daily
10 June 2015 · Sarah Ward
64*

The page identifies this as Sarah Ward's review, but the paywall hides her verdict. No specific praise or complaint is available in the accessible text.

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The New York Times
1 October 2015
64*

The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no praise or complaint to summarize.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate