Mount St. Elias

Mount St. Elias is a captivating and visually stunning documentary-drama from 2009, directed by Gerald Salmina. This film successfully captures the nerve-racking tale of three alpinists - Axel Naglich, Jon Johnston, and Peter Ressmann - who set out with an ambitious goal to conquer the iconic Mount St. Elias, located on the Alaska-Yukon border. The challenge wasn't just to summit the highest peak in Alaska, but they also aimed to ski back down swiftly. It is an enthralling masterpiece that boasts a flawless intertwining of excitement, camaraderie, hope, ambition, and tension, presented in the backdrop of a breathtaking yet dangerous snowy wilderness.

At 18,008 feet, Mount St. Elias is the second-highest mountain in the United States and Canada. Beyond its intimidating height, the mountain is also known for having the longest vertical ski run in the world, making the journey of these three extreme skiers, a tremendous feat. The movie chronicles their gripping journey over 10,000 meters and their resolute pursuit of making history on the grueling and difficult terrains that Mount St. Elias has to offer.

The film starts slowly, detailing meticulously, the adventurous souls - Axel Naglich, an experienced Austrian-mountaineer, Jon Johnston, a freeride snowboarder from America, and Peter Ressmann, a mountain guide and skilled cameraman from Austria. These main characters have differing personalities and styles that are reflected throughout the film. Their determination and passion set the stage for an epic adventure tale that is powerful, motivating, and pure cinema. The preparations and camaraderie, along with their contrasting personas, beautifully set the tone of the movie, leading us into their journey with anticipation and thrill.

As the story progresses, they not only confront the harsh reality of the treacherous terrain but also the unpredictability of the weather and the exhausting physical endurance needed to realize their dream. In addition to the extreme physical demands, the psychological trials they face reveal a gripping human drama. The escalating tension among the team members becomes palpable as they negotiate the daunting prospect of facing death. The director has done a superb job in highlighting these aspects without compromising the essence of their dream – to conquer Mount St. Elias.

The cinematography in Mount St. Elias is nothing short of magnificent. The dexterously captured stunning visuals of the rugged Alaskan and Yukon landscapes deserve special applause. Gerald Salmina's team, especially cinematographers Andreas Frei, Thomas Wöbker, and Michi Tronsberg, deserve credit here. The visuals create an atmosphere of ominous splendor, amplifying the beauty and hostility of the natural environment, while portraying the high stakes at risk.

An important aspect of Mount St. Elias is its pacing. While slow and steady at first, the pace picks up as the climb begins, matching the increasing heartbeats of the viewers. The escalating tension and the unfolding drama blend seamlessly with the slow-building momentum, keeping audiences tied in suspense and anticipation. Furthermore, the film explores the mental and emotional dimensions of its protagonists, bestowing depth to the narrative that transforms it from an adventure movie into a compelling human story.

Moreover, the film does a commendable job in incorporating the valued bits of the climbers' personal lives and relationships, subtly drawing attention to the welfare of the climbers beyond their adventure quests. The suspense, thrill, intense action, combined with a beautifully emotional narrative structure, makes this film a must-watch for adventure enthusiasts and fans of human perseverance narratives alike.

In summary, Mount St. Elias is an intense and visually mesmerizing documentary-drama that takes you on an exhilarating journey towards an extraordinary dream. Against awe-inspiring icy landscapes, it explores the border between ambition and mortality, creating captivating momentum laden with suspense and existential contemplation. Engrossing, moving, and stunningly beautiful, it is a testament to the human spirit, the power of dreams, and the intoxicating allure of adventure that makes it a gem in the genre of adventure documentary.