Customer Reviews

Steep

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Steep
dir. Mark Obenhaus, 2007

Risk and Joy

One of the subjects of Mark Obenhaus's fascinating documentary on extreme ski mountaineering speaks of the pure and simple joy he experiences when tackling a difficult run, and then tells us the joy wouldn't be so great without the risk inherent in the challenge. I think this is one of the younger skiers, perhaps Shane McConkey. [I saw this in theater a couple of months ago, so details may be a bit vague.] But on the other hand, one of the older and wiser heads, I believe one of those who opened up Chamonix, tells us that though the risk may look extreme, the challenge is in developing skill and technique so that the apparent risk is reduced to manageable and sane levels. Of course, what is manageable and sane to some may be crazy foolhardiness to the rest of us, but after all we take risks every day and familiarity dulls the realization that a careless traffic merge, or pushing the speed to make that sales meeting, could result in a far more gruesome death than any in the mountains.

I was on the fringe, or perhaps the fringe of the fringe, of serious outdoors types in the 80's (about when the skiing documented here began to pick up pace), not so much the extreme downhill skiers who went up only to come down, but hard climbers and ski mountaineers who considered it a form of transportation to get into snowbound areas they might hike and climb the rest of the year. These people were very like the earlier adventurers documented here, always conscious of the risk and trying to minimize it, though in the end accepting it for the joy brought by a challenge successfully met or simply being where few others would ever be.

I should emphasize that this is NOT a thrill-a-minute "ski movie". Anyone expecting constant headbanging adrenaline will likely be disappointed. Though there are sufficient moments of daredeviltry for most tastes (especially in the later parts of the film -- it is nicely paced and progressive), there are also scenes of skiers inching sidewise down steep slopes, or cutting short switchbacks with cautious turns, precision craftsmanship rather than freeform bravado. What this film is, is a historical documentary exploring the sport's development and the psychology of extreme skiers, from the pioneers to modern day adrenaline junkies, using a combination of archive footage (of varying technical quality), interviews, and high quality original footage of the feats of the current skiers and the breathtaking landscape they take place in. Fascinating and visually beautiful, with sufficient excitement for most of us.

At first, it appeared that this would be a movie that only appeals to skiers. In fact, this is a fascinating and thrilling ride. You will see places on earth you did not know existed. You will see these guys riding helicopters to the top of mountains where there is barely enough room to stand, and then, skiing downhill at blazing speed. As you might expect, as the movie passes from continent to continent, we see some of the guys we had followed in the beginning actually die. This is a thrilling movie and is not to be missed.

What a great start to a night of watching ski films. Interviews from some of the greats that bring you closer to your love of the mountains, the snow, and the lifestyle.

All the exciting skiing is towards the end of the film, and it's not packed with excitement. It's more about connecting with the lifestyle we choose, and remembering just how close to the edge of life we can find ourselves.

I have been skiing most of my life and have seen my fare share of ski extreme movies, I loved this film/documentary into the birth of back country skiing, it is so absorbing I watched it twice back to back and it just got better. It is the story of the first through to present day back country skiing, with some amazing footage. It starts with the pioneers of this sport telling of there experiences being the very first to try skiing in places no one had ever attempted to ski before, and evolved through the 80's and 90's to now. Trust me you don't even need to be a skier to enjoy this film. Brilliant.

Wow. One of the best ski films in history and certainly pays homage to one
of it's pioneers, Doug Coombs. Commentary tastefully done with phenomenal
live action shots as only Shane, Seth and the others can pull off. One
for the home collection.

This doesn't fit the Warren Miller ski film model, as much as I loved going out to see those with friends from my ski club, and it DEFINITELY is not the Teton Gravity / ski porn etc. "we got attitude" genre.

This is about feeling the ride down the most gorgeous snow-covered scenery you can think of. It's not attitude, it's longing, it's a connection, it's the kind of skiing we all crave to do, whether we'll ever dare to - or even survive it - or not. I loved "Steep" and just had to watch it a 2nd time. That's rare for any movie, for me - sports, drama, action whatever. I just had to, because unlike the Miller or "attidude" movies (which can't seem to get away from sliding down stair railings), this is a movie I could feel.

Steep is best enjoyed at home with close friends, just sipping some beer or wine, on a big screen with good audio. it gets down the soul, what really moves us about the sport, no matter we can't do most of the things on screen.

This movie, although it is a documentary style, is "it speaks to me" in style - about what makes the sport so special. It has a feeling like Doug Combs and the rest are talking to you, not at you. The photography (that they used that cable-camera thing used to cover football games from above the field lends realism not found in any other ski movie to many shots), direction and production are excellent. The soft & gentle classical music themes are so fitting for the soft powder runs that dominate the movie.

It isn't just about the history of extreme skiing, it's about living the dream. Watching this movie you'll feel like you're there, living it with them.

I highly recommend it.

This film is what Enless Summer is to surfing, what Dogtown and Z-Boys is to skateboarding. The look back at the history of steep skiing is outstanding, with interviews and film footage of some of the greatest moments out of Jackson (Grand Teton) and Chamonix. A large chunk of the film is centered around the euro's and what Chamonix has meant to the world of steep skiing - which is completely appropriate; and it puts into perspecttive our North American concern for matching outfits versus the Cham passion for exploring and skiing. Intriguing interviewing and narrative from big mountain skiiers is what makes the film - haven't we all wondered, "why would he ski that?" or, "Is he nuts?" The interviews let you creep into that dark spot in their heads. An excellent touch is commentary by Steve Casimiro. He is in my opinion the best, and most soul-ful print editor to wander through the ski industry. As former editor of Powder during the '80's and '90's, he was there for the emergence of todays "extreme." He and his writers wrote extensively about Plake, Hatrup, etc., during the Stump era of film making. It's a great touch having his face and commentary on screen. By the end of the film what rings through is the deep emotional connection the featured athletes have for their sport. It's not a hobby for them, but truly a lifestyle that somehow has taken control of them. None of them seemed to be into skiing for the glory or attention. Rather, I was convinced that the skiers are convined that their soul is truly part of the mountains.

The photography all over the world is very beautiful, especially in the full HD quality. All the skiers' different stories are amazing and sometimes quite personal. I couldn't believe some of the stuff these guys have done. The combination of awe inspiring footage and the back stories of the skiers make this a great documentary about the nature and experience of extreme back country skiing.

I really do think this is one of the best documentaries ever made. It has so many beautiful panorama's and insane stunts that even a non-skier would love this movie!

Blu-ray is great, but the informative story on comb's life, on it's own, made it worth it to me.