They filmed mountains before GoPros—on actual film, while dangling from actual cliffs.
"Sur Les Traces De Premier De Cordée", a color documentary from 1952 which will be released the same year as the eponymous photo book published by Arthaud, features Roger Frison-Roche and his sidekick Georges Tairraz II on the Aiguille du Grépon (3482 m) in the Aiguilles massif which overlooks the Chamonix valley. Together they co-produce the images of the ascent. The young Pierre Tairraz, who completed his training in Paris, at the school in the rue de Vaugirard (Cinema promotion in 1953), also took part in this very technical aerial filming as assistant to his father Georges Tairraz II and cameraman.
Cinematography
Hand-cranked cameras strapped to climbers at 3,482 meters.
Practical Effects
Zero safety nets, 100% real vertigo.
Direction
Frison-Roche directs himself up a death wall.
Director
Georges Tairraz II
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pierre Tairraz's 'training' was film school—his real education was this 1952 shoot.
Arthaud's simultaneous book release invented the modern adventure-merch cross-sell.
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