Watch Mount St. Elias

Mount St. Elias is a gripping documentary that centers around the journey of three experienced mountaineers who attempt to climb Mount St. Elias, a towering peak of over 18,000 feet located on the rugged coast of Alaska. The movie was released in 2009 and directed by Gerald Salmina. The film starts with an introduction to Mount St. Elias, a mountain that has always fascinated climbers due to its sheer size and challenging environment. Axel Naglich, Jon Johnston, and Peter Ressmann, the three climbers, are shown preparing for the climb. Axel and Jon are from Austria, while Peter is from Germany. They have different personalities, but all share the same passion for extreme sports and mountaineering.

The team arrives in Alaska and begins their ascent of the mountain, which is regarded as one of the most challenging climbs in the world. The movie captures the treacherous journey from the base camp to the summit, with stunning visuals showcasing the beautiful but harsh terrain.

The climb is divided into three stages, and each stage shows the climbers facing new challenges. The first stage involves climbing through dense forests and crossing treacherous glaciers, while the second stage involves climbing over massive ice walls and coping with unpredictable weather conditions. The third stage shows the climbers approaching the final summit, at which point they are faced with exhaustion, hunger, and dehydration.

The climbers are filmed from various angles and viewpoints, including aerial footage, creating a sense of the immense scale and danger of the mountain they are tackling. Along the way, the climbers face numerous obstacles, from unpredictable weather, to extreme altitude sickness, to dangerous crevices that almost swallow them up.

The climbers also face the emotional struggles that come with such an extreme endeavour. They each have their own reasons for making the dangerous climb. For Axel, it’s a dream that he’s been chasing for years. For Jon, it's a chance to prove himself as a climber. For Peter, it’s a calling, something he feels compelled to do. The documentary shows the individual struggles of each climber as they push themselves to the limits of endurance.

In addition to the climbers' struggles, the movie also explores the friendship and camaraderie that develops between them. They are sometimes seen joking around, but at other times comforting each other when things get tough. This dynamic is particularly poignant when each climber has to make a decision, either as a group or individually, on whether to continue with the climb or to turn back - a choice which will affect everyone in the team.

Overall, Mount St. Elias is a captivating, visually stunning documentary that showcases the scale and power of nature, as well as the power and resilience of the human spirit. It highlights the dangers and challenges of extreme sports, but also the beauty and reward of conquering such a daunting task. With its breathtaking photography, intense soundtrack, and compelling personal stories, Mount St. Elias is a must-watch for both adventure enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

Mount St. Elias is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.