During World War II, the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division embarked on a true “mission impossible,” giving new meaning to the phrase “uphill battle.”
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LENGTH: 56 Minutes – Total Content: 101 Minutes
OUR PRICE: $24.95
CATALOG #: 20365
UPC #: 6-4603203659-6
ISBN #: 1-56839-302-4
RELEASE YEAR: 2008
PRODUCER: Abbie Kealy, Inc.
This compelling documentary recounts their remarkable history as a legendary alpine fighting force. Although 10th soldiers were superstars, they quickly learned that winter, mountains and the invincible German Army were a deadly combination. The 10th Mountain Division’s claim to fame begins with the Germans entrenched in Italy’s heavily fortified mountaintops, blocking the Allied advance. After losing 15,000 soldiers attempting to capture this critical high ground, U.S. Army brass called up the 10th Mountain Division, and the rest is history. The 10th Mountain turned the tide for the Allies in Italy, revolutionized winter mountain warfare, and inspired a new generation of soldiers.
Today’s extreme sports have nothing on the 10th. The 10th invented extreme sports – and then used that skill and determination in battle. The Last Ridge takes an active history approach to appeal to younger viewers, weaving together re-creations, eyewitness accounts, 3-D animation, archival footage and newly discovered letters. The film also looks at how the current 10th Mountain Division continues the legacy, featuring 10th soldiers patrolling in Afghanistan, and the wounded recuperating in Army hospitals.
The 10th Mountain story begins during backbreaking training. Soldiers lived outdoors in extreme cold for weeks at a time shouldering 40 kilo backpacks at altitudes over 4,000 meters. There were no tanks, no trucks, no jeeps. Just the men, their skis and whatever they could carry.
Narrated by National Public Radio’s Scott Simon
Special Features:
• Meet The Men of the 10th Mountain
• Training Scenes
• Colorado Mountain Aerials
• War Stories
• Italian Choir
• Afghanistan Patrol
• Walter Reed Hospital
• Commentary by Last Ridge Author
Trailer
Reviews
“Combining extraordinary archival footage, compelling interviews, dramatic recreations, and 3-D animation, this documentary features DVD extras including bonus interviews, training scenes, aerial footage, and more. Highly recommended.”Three & a Half STARS- Video Librarian“This superbly produced and presented documentary concluded with the account of the 10th Mountain Division’s responsibility’s today that extends to the remote corners of Afghanistan. Extensively filmed onsite in Colorado, Italy, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia, and infused with insights from more than one hundred members of the 10th Mountain Division, “The Last Ridge: is highly recommended fro community library DVD collections, and will be of particularly special interest to military history buffs.” -Library Bookwatch
“Since the end of World War II, and especially since the early 1990s, the 10th has been one of the most deployed units in the Army. It has seen action in Somalia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Haiti, among other places. These actions are briefly described. The special features compliment the main feature very well including footage of the 10th’s current campaigns in the mountains of Afghanistan. This is especially fascinating as it brings home the sobering fact that our soldiers are still in harm’s way.
Technically, the production is flawless, being one of the cleanest and crispest productions this reviewer has seen in years. Visuals are all clear and the sound was at the right volume. The narrator was superb and added to the overall outstanding quality of the production. While this may have a place in middle or senior high schools, The Last Ridge is better suited for a general audience and library collections on military history. Highly Recommended”-Educational Media Reviews Online
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