Harvesting the High Plains

In the 2012 historical documentary film, Harvesting the High Plains, director and producer Jay Kriss brings us an inspiring true story of endurance, adaptability, and unwavering optimism. Through an enticing blend of vintage photos, historical documents, expert interviews, and gripping reenactments, the movie captures a vivid picture of Dust Bowl-era American history. The film's story mirrors that resilient spirit found in the heart of farming communities everywhere and throughout history.

The award-winning American television host Mike Rowe, renowned for his distinctive deep, gravelly voice and his ability to infuse life into any story, lends his exceptional narrative talents to this film, adding depth and humanity to the tale. Andrew C. Boothby and former US Senator Bob Dole also make significant contributions to the narrative, casting their unique perspectives and experience into the mix.

This cinematic journey takes us back to the American High Plains of the early 1930s, at the height of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The film follows the life stories of two men, John Kriss and Ray Garvey, ordinary men gifted with extraordinary resolve and vision. Amid the unforgiving environment and a collapsed wheat market, these two individuals from Colby, Kansas, take on the monumental task of cultivating a parched part of the American landscape.

Their conviction in the face of adversity, illustrated through tales of grit, innovation and perseverance, is deeply embedded in the ethos of Harvesting the High Plains. As Rowe's narration unfolds their story, viewers witness how Kriss and Garvey adapt to the harsh climate, inevitable failures, and the economic hardship of the Depression, innovatively changing their farming tactics as if they were battling an inexorable force.

Moreover, beyond the tale of their personal trials and triumphant feats, Harvesting the High Plains paints a broader image of American society during this pivotal historic period. The story of Kriss and Garvey's tenacity, in a sense, encapsulates the American spirit's struggle and endurance during the Depression and Dust Bowl. And even among the seemingly inescapable adversity, the documentary manages to shed light on the glimmers of hope, innovation, and the sheer willpower that led to survival and success against all odds.

What makes Harvesting the High Plains uniquely compelling is the specific focus on agriculture's role: how it both contributed to the societal challenges of the time and provided solutions. The documentary brings to light the struggles of farming communities and the importance of their contributions to society at large. The film explores farming not just as an occupation but also as a crucial underpinning of American life and economy.

Moreover, through intricate storytelling and a well-researched narrative, the film draws attention to the importance of environmental stewardship, the need to collaborate with natural forces and ecosystems, and the potential calamities linked with neglecting these aspects. The tale of the 1930s Dust Bowl serves as both an eerie cautionary tale and a testament to human resilience.

Director Kriss's reverence for history, meticulous attention to detail, coupled with cinematographer Robert E. Collins's stunning visuals, create a captivating watchmaking Harvesting the High Plains not just an educational documentary but also a compelling narrative drama. The film emerges as a beautiful canvas where history, human resilience, and natural calamities intricately entwine to portray an epoch of hope, loss and ultimate redemption.

The soundtrack, composed by Mark Adler, further binds the narrative, adding an emotional resonance to an already moving tale. The sweeping themes evoke the image of boundless wheat fields under an expansive sky, hardship, hope, and ultimately, triumph.

Harvesting the High Plains is a dedication to the unsung heroes of American agriculture. Their tireless work, unseen by many, underpins the might of the nation while also reminding us of our shared responsibility towards the environment. This is a film for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone who appreciates tales of human grit and the indomitable spirit.