The Last Ridge: The Uphill Battles of the 10th Mountain Division (DVD)

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." 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 Ridgetakes 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.

• history