By Jill Innamorati-Varley

The IMAX Darling Harbour hosted the Sydney premiere of The Alps on Tuesday night, sponsored by Switzerland Tourism and Swissotel Sydney.

Attended by its star John Harlin III, a veteran American climber, author and journalist who lived in Switzerland as a child. John regaled guests with an insight into a journey that saw him face his inner demons and climb Switzerland’s Eiger, one of the world’s most treacherous mountains and one that took his father’s life.

Getting high in ‘The Alps’

Logistically, the weight of the IMAX camera at 18 kilos and a reel of film which runs for just three minutes and weights 9 kilos, meant equipment was too heavy to climb with so filming was done by helicopter.

This makes for an intense but rewarding ride as viweres soar over alpine peaks and drop down the Eiger’s North Face IMAX style to find yourself up close to the climbers themselves. The film also takes off on a whirlwind Swiss tour complete with a ride on the high-altitude Glacier Express train with stops in enchanting mountain villages and a bungee jump by John off the incredible height of the Verzasca Dam in the footsteps of James Bond.

The Alps opens at IMAX theatres Sydney  today (4 June) and will run for three months or more.