High Ground

High Ground is a gripping, emotionally charged 2012 documentary-style film that serves as a stark reminder of the power of the human spirit and the unyielding drive of eleven determined veterans. Michael Brown, a renowned mountaineer and filmmaker, helms the indicting narrative that features a captivating ensemble led by Steve Baskis, Dan Sidles, and Katherine Ragazzino.

Centered around a ragtag group of veterans of the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the film takes viewers on an arduous journey that will warm their hearts and test their emotional strength. After surviving the harshest realities of war, these 11 brave individuals return home bearing the invisible and visible wounds that came at a grave cost. Faced with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partial blindness, amputations, and the lingering memories of their fallen comrades, these veterans embark on their mission to achieve personal growth while overcoming their personal demons.

Steve Baskis is one of the film’s protagonists, and his story forms one of the core narratives in High Ground. A soldier permanently blind due to an explosion, Baskis' life post-war is jarringly brought to light in this documentary. The aura of his indomitable spirit permeates the film as his bravery shines through the dark facade of his affliction.

One of the key characters featured is a former Marine, Dan Sidles, who survived an explosion in Iraq that resulted in life-altering injuries. Sidles battles his PTSD throughout the film, a sobering illustration of the psychological battles faced by war veterans upon their return to civilian life. Katherine Ragazzino, also a former Marine and another vital character, navigates severe physical injuries and psychological trauma, providing an important perspective into the shared experiences of female veterans.

High Ground is not just a film about coming to grips with the aftermath of war. It’s also about hope, courage, and the power of determination. To embody these qualities, Brown frames their challenge as a metaphorical and literal mountain they must climb. Their mission is to ascend Mount Lobuche, one of Nepal's tougher Himalayan peaks, standing tall at 20,075 feet. This endeavor is extremely symbolic, portraying the immense challenges that they have had to face and their relentless pursuit to rise above.

The magnificent alpine setting of the Himalayas serves as an awe-inspiring backdrop to their riveting journey. Embedded within the narrative are nail-biting mountaineering sequences, serving as external representations of their internal struggles. Overcoming harsh weather conditions, physical fatigue, and emotional breakdowns, these veterans fight to reach the top, portraying their courage, resilience, and tenacity.

Director Michael Brown's adept storytelling captures the unifying camaraderie that exists between these veterans. Despite the emotional vulnerability that some moments reveal, there is an overwhelming sense of shared strength and optimism that makes their story deeply inspiring. Brown also tastefully weaves in compelling interviews and past combat footage, providing the viewers with a raw and earnest look into the hearts and minds of the veterans and their difficult pasts.

At its heart, High Ground elegantly underscores the power of healing through collective struggle and the transformative power of nature. It symbolizes the veterans' journey as they climb towards a place of peace and reflection, hoping to leave behind the heavy burdens wrought by war.

Such a sensitive subject matter could have easily been mishandled, but High Ground achieves a delicate balance of respect and engagement. Brown does not shrink from depicting war's harsh realities or the hard-hitting emotions that follow, yet he successfully weaves these elements into a searing narrative about redemption, resilience, and mutual support.

High Ground is deeply engaging and life-affirming. It slides effortlessly between visceral emotion and gripping adventure, illuminating the stark realities of post-war life while celebrating the indomitable human spirit's strength and resilience. This film is about hope, about strength, about climbing the mountains in life that appear insurmountable, a testament to what it really means to be a veteran. It's a touching, thought-provoking journey that deserves every bit of praise and respect it has garnered.