Review by John Delia
The filming angles and cinematography as a whole in Beyond Skiing Everest is so dynamic you can feel the cold and the adventure of high peak skiing. But, what really makes an impression is the feats of daring and the amazing talent of three of the most honored skiers in the world. This documentary really gives the viewer a close up of the tenacity and determination these prolific adventurers in this sport of high altitude skiing.
Narrator Jewel: “Mountaineering is one of the deadliest sports in the world as on Mt. Everest alone 290 people have lost their lives trying to climb it. Mike, Steve and Jim are three of the top mountaineers and top skiers in the world. The have been to 50 of the worlds tallest peaks taking mountaineering to even greater extremes. They hold the record for most ski descents from above 7000 meters and highest ski descents in the winter Himalayas. They are in their 50’s and still at itâ€.
Twin brothers Mike and Steve Marolt and their lifelong friend Jim Gile have been skiing down impossible slopes for a long time. Bored with Mount Everest that they conquered above 8000 meters, the three set out to break all the records of ski mountaineering around the world. The greater the range of mountains the higher the adrenaline kicks in for this trio who attempt climbing and descending down peaks on skis no one else would consider. And they do it “Pure Style†where each man climbs with all the gear needed to be completely self-sufficient.
From the South America’s Cho Oyu and Chimborazo in Ecuador, Coropuna overlooking Colca Canyon Peru, to Asia’s 30 degree below zero Himlung in Nepal and Tibet’s over 23,000 ft. Nortin Kansang, The over 24,000 ft. and 40- degree Muztagh Ata in China where they achieved a world record winter time ski, and more. The film covers most all of the snowy peaks of countries in China, America/Alaska, Nepal, Canada, Pakistan, Tibet, Peru, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Chile, Ecuador, Tajikistan, and Bolivia.
Steve Marolt: “You can’t do everything you set your mind to do, but I know if you try, you can do a hellava lot more than you ever thought you could.†Mike, Steve and Jim have spent the last 30 years climbing and skiing in the greatest mountain ranges in the word on expeditions that have taken them to some 50 of the highest, most remote and difficult peaks on Earth. The three were inducted in the USA National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.
Beyond Skiing Everest has not been rated by the MPAA, but I could find no offensive material. The outstanding work of the brave camera operators Chere Silvera, Danny Brown, Eric Mulker, and David Quittman was under Mike Marolt who also took on the task of director of photography.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very cool (pardon the pun) film for the whole adventurous family. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Mike and Steve Marolt and Jim Gile
Directed by: Steve Bellamy
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, no offensive material
Running Time: 1 hr. 21 min.
Opening Date: June 30, 2020
Distributed by: 1091 Media
Released in: Digital and On Demand