On Veterans Day, Documentary Honors Legendary U.S. Army Fighting Force

In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: 'To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country"s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations...' In honor of what we now call Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11th every year in the United States, Janson Media is proud to make available for both television and DVD, The Last Ridge: The Uphill Battles of the 10th Mountain Division, a fascinating documentary from filmmaker Abbie Kealy, produced for U.S. public television.This compelling film recounts the history of the heroic U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, weaving together re-creations, eyewitness accounts, 3-D animation, archival footage and newly discovered letters. A recent Video Librarian review of the DVD follows, in full.

Narrated by National Public Radio"s Scott Simon, The Last Ridge tells the remarkable story of a specialized division of the U.S. military that has its roots in World War II. Founded two weeks before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, the 10th Mountain Division was created in anticipation of meeting the enemy on mountainous terrain in Europe and elsewhere. Comprised in part of champion-caliber skiers and rugged mountain men, the 10th attracted many young athletic soldiers who joined their ranks and underwent training that, as one veteran puts it, pushed them to their limits again and again. The 10th trained for two years before being sent into action against German positions in Italy"s mountaintops, advancing despite bloody resistance and numerous casualties in a lengthy fight that would ultimately prove pivotal to ending the war in Europe. 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. - Video Librarian