The STEEP is out on DVD, website from producers here!

[CWHappyRN]

I found this link from researching the producers bio's.

They have made a DVD of this film which can be purchased online. I think you would get more bang for your buck with the DVD. It is a good DVD for long trips in the car, or apres ski as well!

No, I don't get kick backs! I would like to be their set nurse! I have done that in L.A., but, they have better venues for someone like me! I will apply soon!

 

[CWHappyRN]

Here it the link to buy the DVD.

http://www.thedocumentarygroup.com/shop.php

 

[Patrick]

They have made a DVD of this film which can be purchased online.

You're jumping the gun on this one Carol.

From their website.

STEEP has not yet finalized plans for distribution.

 

[Patrick]

NOW IT IS AVAILABLE.

It was release last week. Available through the link Carol provided above ($26) or for slightly less on Amazon (enough for it not to have free shipping to the US).

Great movie. I'm buying it.

 

[lookn4powder]

Here it the link to buy the DVD.

Terrific! Thanks a bunch for the link. It's available in Bluray format, no less!

Your post inspired me to check and see if my classic favorite, "Walls of Freedom" has moved from VCR to DVD, which it has. It's available at

http://mspfilms.com/

No senseless death defying jumps (except where needed). Just very serious technical skiing of chutes and other terrain during one of my favorite powder years. The website itself is kind of annoying to work with though.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[ChrisC]

I watched it the other night.

Really liked it. But I like anything skiing. So it's not an objective review.

A semi-selective history of big mountain skiing.

Although I thought it focused on Doug Coombs too much. And given his death in winter 2005-06....they sat on a lot footage. It's now 07-08 and thye finally got around to releasing it? A little dated.

I think they got it right. Moment you saw "Blizzar of Ahs"

But a typical ski-town laziness is evident....selective history, going with what you have, footage of a dead notable for 50%+ from many years ago.

Overall, it's OK. Great watch. But there is another movie to made that really defines the modern ethos of skiing.

 

[riverc0il]

A semi-selective history of big mountain skiing.

Although I thought it focused on Doug Coombs too much. And given his death in winter 2005-06....they sat on a lot footage. It's now 07-08 and thye finally got around to releasing it? A little dated.

Semi-selective is putting it mildly. The bonus features on the end shows the director answering Q&A addresses the reason why there was no footage of Asia extreme skiing and the director indicated that was a different history and story than what they set out to tell. Fair enough. But I could have done without so much ski porn aspects of Heli skiing Alaska (an important development in extreme skiing for sure) in favor of a little more history. The historical aspects of the movie were sensational. But after the first half hour or so (following the Greg Stump nod to popularizing extreme on video)... they made a pretty big jump into full on ski porn with too much time spent on Alaska and modern ski flicks. It just took up too much time compared to the more historical aspects earlier in the film that focused on far too few pioneers, IMO. Let's face it... Davenport, Morrison, McConkey, Backstrom, etc. are right on the cutting edge and while part of the story and pushing the edge are not lesser known figures that pioneered the activity. Maybe I just respect the earned turn guys more :lol: But that isn't true because I really enjoyed the Stump, Plake, etc. part of the film. Seemed like the film begin better than it ended with exception of McLean's last segment, especially the scene with the team almost getting swept away by an avalanche.

Sensational DVD and I will probably buy it. Great quality and some sensational footage. But I was expecting more documentary and less ski porn which occupies a major segment of the footage.

Regarding "just releasing" the DVD... the movie toured last year. Much like most movies, DVDs are released well after the movie tour so I think the timing is quite relevant. But they did give Coombs significantly more time than any two or three other skiers combined. Whether that was a statement reflecting his impact or a reaction to his death and tribute to him, I am ensure. He was one of the few (perhaps only?) of the historical skiers they featured that also got ski porn time in addition to historical clips so that may be part of the perception of a lot of screen time.

 

[Tony Crocker]

During the Q & A at the West Hollywood screening last November, the producer said that Coombs made a great interviewee and that's why he was used so much for that purpose. There's probably some truth to that; when they saw who interviewed the best they tended to come back to that person for more continuity. When I corresponded with Leslie Anthony, he said they interviewed him extensively, but decided to use Steve Casimiro as the main interviewee representing ski journalists.

Was the footage skewed towards the modern? Probably, but there's also much more available. But I remember being extremely impressed with Riding Giants because those filmmakers had found so much archival big-wave surfing footage dating as far back as the late 1950's. It depends on personal taste. Like Riverc0il, the historical stuff appeals to me a lot.

 

[ChrisC]

A semi-selective history of big mountain skiing.

Although I thought it focused on Doug Coombs too much. And given his death in winter 2005-06....they sat on a lot footage. It's now 07-08 and thye finally got around to releasing it? A little dated.

Semi-selective is putting it mildly. The bonus features on the end shows the director answering Q&A addresses the reason why there was no footage of Asia extreme skiing and the director indicated that was a different history and story than what they set out to tell. Fair enough. But I could have done without so much ski porn aspects of Heli skiing Alaska (an important development in extreme skiing for sure) in favor of a little more history. The historical aspects of the movie were sensational. But after the first half hour or so (following the Greg Stump nod to popularizing extreme on video)... they made a pretty big jump into full on ski porn with too much time spent on Alaska and modern ski flicks. It just took up too much time compared to the more historical aspects earlier in the film that focused on far too few pioneers, IMO. Let's face it... Davenport, Morrison, McConkey, Backstrom, etc. are right on the cutting edge and while part of the story and pushing the edge are not lesser known figures that pioneered the activity. Maybe I just respect the earned turn guys more :lol: But that isn't true because I really enjoyed the Stump, Plake, etc. part of the film. Seemed like the film begin better than it ended with exception of McLean's last segment, especially the scene with the team almost getting swept away by an avalanche.

Sensational DVD and I will probably buy it. Great quality and some sensational footage. But I was expecting more documentary and less ski porn which occupies a major segment of the footage.

Regarding "just releasing" the DVD... the movie toured last year. Much like most movies, DVDs are released well after the movie tour so I think the timing is quite relevant. But they did give Coombs significantly more time than any two or three other skiers combined. Whether that was a statement reflecting his impact or a reaction to his death and tribute to him, I am ensure. He was one of the few (perhaps only?) of the historical skiers they featured that also got ski porn time in addition to historical clips so that may be part of the perception of a lot of screen time.

I agree with this review 100%. Great critique of the film - and some of the feelings I had watching it.

Especially...

But they did give Coombs significantly more time than any two or three other skiers combined. Whether that was a statement reflecting his impact or a reaction to his death and tribute to him, I am ensure.

 

[riverc0il]

He was one of the few (perhaps only?) of the historical skiers they featured that also got ski porn time in addition to historical clips so that may be part of the perception of a lot of screen time.

I think you really need to finish the quote to not lose the context I placed my words within. Out of the second half's "ski porn feature," as I call it, Coombs was pretty much the only skier that had been placed in an historical context in the previous half of the film. I think this is a big aspect why he had so much screen time dedicated to him... because he was a symbol of the past and the present, placed in a historical context and invited to do the modern "ski porn footage." Coombs was used in two of the film's featured "cable cam" segments (which probably accounted for fully half the film's budget in a matter of barely more than a minute of total screen time).

Coombs was certainly one of the most quotable skiers interviewed so Tony's comments make complete sense. Great lines and great delivery and fit perfect within the film.

I hope I don't sound too critical... I think it was a great film and I am going to add it to my decided lack luster ski porn collection. I am far from an "extreme" skier but really enjoyed the boundary pushing history lesson. While I don't need a steep avalanche prone slope to have a good time, I do push boundaries in my own way and seek out something most people do not. That spirit of the movie was well captivated. Though, ultimately I thought most of these guys were a bunch of nut jobs :lol: mostly due to what I would consider excessively unnecessary risk but I guess that is a criterion for "extreme" skiing.

 

[Tony Crocker]

We may think they are "nut jobs," but we do understand them. The average person (ie at West Hollywood screening) found them very hard to relate to, judging from some of the questions. They would think we are nut jobs.

 

[riverc0il]

We may think they are "nut jobs," but we do understand them. The average person (ie at West Hollywood screening) found them very hard to relate to, judging from some of the questions. They would think we are nut jobs.

Heh! That is very true. And I should have finished my post with the understanding that I take unnecessary risk as a skier myself, it is just not what I would consider excessive but that is a pretty relative term! I am quite happy with my nut job status as an October-July turn earner and tree skier.

 

[ChrisC]

He was one of the few (perhaps only?) of the historical skiers they featured that also got ski porn time in addition to historical clips so that may be part of the perception of a lot of screen time.

I think you really need to finish the quote to not lose the context I placed my words within.

When I quote you in full in my post, careful to think what you are saying otherwise?

I quoted you in context.

You decide when everything is framed to your likings.

 

[CO_knuckle_dragger]

Just got it on DVD. It's definitely worth adding to your personal collection of ski porn.

 

[Harvey]

I bought it based on this thread too. Took forever to come. Got it yesterday and watched it (on the QT) here at work on and off all afternoon with subtitles. It may be incomplete as a documentary, but it taught me a lot more than most of the ski movies that I've seen.

I have to admit I'm more into the historical facts than the whole "we are mountain people this is what we do" thing.

It was beautifully filmed. I love the shots that scare you just to watch them...right after being dropped off by the chopper. Love seeing skiers manage those long boards too.

My favorite character was the grand teton guy. I can relate to pushing on when people think you are nuts. I also like seeing girls who can ski with the best in the world. Go Ingrid.

I'll add it to my limited collection at our place in the mountains and watch it again some cool summer night.

 

[rfarren]

I personally loved the movie. I enjoyed it much more than most ski films. Whereas Warren Miller is just about "ski porn" this had a common thread and told as story that was historical, albeit incomplete. I agree with Harvey about that guy Bill Briggs, and the girl. It sure as heck made me want to go on a trip to valdez.