Snows of Aorangi (1955)

Largely set amongst the peaks of this treacherous mountain range on New Zealand's South Island, this short documentary takes us up past the snow line into terrain that when the weather gets angry, proves to be brutal to anyone stranded - even when using the shelter of an hut equipped with a radio and a tiring hand-powered generator. In more benign conditions it is popular with skiers making good use of the gradients and pristine snow. As ever, the grand-scale photography is testament to the skills of these high-altitude filming specialists, though maybe here the bravery award will have to go to a man yodelling at the top of his voice amidst what clearly looked like avalanche risks for those below. William Austin's narration is a bit dry, but it's an impressive sight to behold when inclement.