Mountains of the Mind

Filmed along Iceland’s rugged southern coast, Mountains of the Mind captures the raw beauty and power of a country shaped by fire, ice, and time. From black sand beaches to glaciers and thundering waterfalls, Iceland’s terrain is both a challenge and a sanctuary for Magnus and his (new shape) Defender 110, “Mossy”.

Filmed in November, as winter fast approaches to the island, the Matchbox Film Co crew joined Magnus on one of his regular “hikes”: a multi-peak excursion that was a walk in the park for the main protagonist of the film, but that required a Herculean effort from the crew to keep up with Magnus!

Magnus’s passion for mountain climbing came later in life, but is now inseparable from who he is. Whether hiking alone or with friends, he chases summits not for the sake of conquering them, but for the peace they offer — and the clarity that comes with every climb.

The day after a cold plunge at one of Reykjavik’s geothermal public baths, the crew visited Kukl Rental to rent some lighting & grip equipment to then carry out an interview with Magnus at his “cave” just outside of the capital city, the base from where all of Magnus’ expeditions begin.

Magnus tells the story of how we was the first owner of one of the new shape Defender 110 in Iceland and how from the very first day, it has become a core part of his adventures across the country.

From the start, Magnus tested the Defender to its limits — packing it with gear on day one and climbing a high mountain with friends. The Defender has passed every test Magnus has thrown at it and, since then, he’s driven over 100,000 kilometers in Mossy, through rivers, across waterfalls, up steep slopes and uneven terrain – proving its endurance and reliability.

Affectionally named Mossy for its green colour, Magnus details the growth of the overlanding community in Iceland, of which he is a prominent figure, aided by the popularity of the new Defender in Iceland.

Having owned the Discovery 4 and 5 prior to owning Mossy, Magnus details how the new Defender 110 is a “another ball game”, allowing him to not only push further into Iceland’s harsh highlands, but to do so without getting tired, driving for days in the highlands. it handles F-roads with ease. The 35″ tyres fitted by Arctic Trucks allow him to lower the air pressure for off-roading in snowy, muddy or sandy conditions, allowing Mossy to float over rough ground — “it just flies” Magnus says.

With so much time spent behind the wheel, Magnus feels completely in tune with the vehicle. He knows how it reacts, how it sounds, and how it moves — giving him 100% confidence to explore the more remote and unpredictable parts of Iceland’s unique landscapes. Magnus’ Defender allows him to push the limits of exploration in Iceland where few would dare to travel.

Special thanks to camera assistants Rob Browne & Lloyd Evans, without whom the project would not have been possible. BTS photos by Lloyd Evans www.lloydevansphoto.com