Twin Peaks

Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Roger Bannister are the inspiration behind Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford’s new feature film – Four Minutes. According to Deford, “the pinnacle of athletic achievement in the 20th century was not to be found on the basketball court or baseball diamond, or even in the boxing ring … the 20th century could be summed up in two events: the ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and, less than a year later, the breaking of the four-minute mile by Sir Roger Bannister.” Deford has adapted his article (originally written for Sports Illustrated in 2) for the silver screen, with Hillary’s Everest ascent serving as an inspirational backdrop to the central character of Bannister.