25 Jan Telluride Museum: “Fire on the Mountain” Celebrated
The 20th anniversary of Gage & Gage award-winning documentary celebrated. Collaborative event includes live auction and Q&A with 10th Mountain Division veterans. Friday, February 6.
During the last weeks of World War II, an elite division of mountain soldiers, America’s 10th Mountain Division, fought a decisive battle against the Germans in the Italian Alps.
George & Beth Gage of Gage & Gage Productions celebrated the indomitable snowmen of WWII, the men of the 10th, in war and peace, in a documentary, “Fire on the Mountain,” which premiered at Mountainfilm in Telluride in May 1995 and won the Grand Prize.
“Fire on the Mountain”, an emotional portrait of the creation, grueling training, and daring war exploits of America’s only mountain and winter warfare Division then fast-forwards to focus on what happens to the heroes over the next 50 years.
Recruited by the National Ski Patrol and enticed by their love of the mountains, the Division lured championship skiers, mountain climbers and European mountaineers fleeing Hitler into its ranks. For three long years, the 10th trained in skiing, snowshoeing, rock and ice climbing, dog mushing, igloo building, avalanche safety, bushwhacking and trail breaking. The first snowmobiles and Snow Cats were created for the “10th.” They were the first to use mummy sleeping bags, nylon climbing ropes and Vibram soles on their climbing boots. They made the first winter ascent of Mt. Rainier just to test their gear.
The 10th Comes Home
The “10th” entered the war late but in February 1945, made a spectacular night climb of Italy’s “unclimbable” Riva Ridge, ambushing the heavily entrenched Germans on top. For the next two months, the “10th” chased the Germans all the way to the Alps.Their victory on Riva Ridge and subsequent push caused Germany to surrender a week earlier in Italy than in the rest of Europe.
After returning to the United States, the men of the 10th became groundbreaking pioneers of an infant ski industry and the backbone of the outdoor education and conservation movements.
“…an inspiring documentary,” Janet Maslin, The New York Times (12/6/96)
“…a thrilling documentary with tremendous vintage footage… The nocturnal sneak ascent on Riva Ridge is a stunner…,” Todd McCarthy, Variety
“…an absolutely fascinating examination of men at the forefront of the coming wave of skiing and mountain recreation…a compelling tale of invention, fortitude, perseverance, and heroism,” Geoff Gilmore,Sundance Film Festival
On Friday, February 6, 2015, 7 – 9 p.m., veterans of the 10th, the Gages and Snowboard Hall of Famer Johnnie Stevens host the 20th anniversary screening of “Fire on the Mountain: The Story of the 10th Mountain Division,” at the Sheridan Opera House.
In addition to “Fire on the Mountain,” the evening includes short films from Mountainfilm in Telluride, special audience Q&A with Hugh Evans, Clark Wingate, and Dick Over, veterans of the 10th, and a live auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Telluride Historical Museum, Gage and Gage Productions, and the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation.
“We are honored to welcome veterans from the 10th Mountain Division to Telluride for this special event,” commented Erica Kinias, Executive Director of the Telluride Historical Museum. “The combination of screening this award-winning film produced by Telluride locals, the Gages, in addition to the veterans, allows us to reflect on the sacrifices and experiences of those who served in World War II as well as their later contributions to the nation.”
“Our goal in producing ‘Fire on the Mountain,’ in addition to telling the moving story of the lives and exploits of the men of the 10th Mountain Division, was to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest. Inspired by the men of the 10th, we learned that difficulties in life build character, you can do anything you put your mind to, and remaining fit is an important key to leading an active, purposeful life, also — don’t whine,” explained Beth.
Following Mountainfilm, “Fire on the Mountain” went on to screen at the Sundance Film Festival, on National Geographic TV, at the Department of the Interior, and opened nationally in 1997. The Gages are pleased to continue to honor the 10th with their film, saying, “After twenty-plus years, the men of the 10th Mountain Division continue to inspire us.”
Three ski troopers
In addition to receiving reserved seating at the screening, patron ticket holders, starting at $250, will join 10th Mountain vets and filmmakers at a pre-screening cocktail reception, 5 – 6 p.m. at the Telluride Historical Museum to view a special exhibit of artwork by 10th Mountain Division veteran Jacques Parker, the only Division vet to chronicle the saga of the company through art from 1943 through the end of the war. Five of Parker’s works, which now reside in Vail’s Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum’s collection, will be on display for the first time.
General Admission seating is $25. Tickets for the event are available on the Museum’s website at telluridemuseum.org. Live auction items include original 10th Mountain Division ski equipment, a signed poster from Division veterans, a 10th Mountain Division Hut Association travel package, and more.
For more information, please contact Anne Gerhard, Director of Programs and Exhibits at the Telluride Historical Museum at (970) 728-3344×2, or anne@telluridemuseum.org.
About Gage & Gage Productions:
Since 1993 Beth and George Gage, as Gage & Gage Productions, have created award-winning documentaries that educate, entertain, inspire and motivate viewers. Concentrating on the environment, cultural and social justice, Gage & Gage Productions creates compelling personal films on issues that are underrepresented in the current media.
Gage & Gage Productions has completed seven feature documentaries. Together they choose the film’s subject and produce and direct the films. Beth creates the stories and writes the narration. George is responsible for the films’ stunning cinematography. Their films have been distributed theatrically, on television, educationally, and for consumer DVD. They have screened in national and international markets, have won dozens of awards at national and international film festivals and are highly acclaimed by film reviewers.
To learn more, click the “play” button and listen to my conversation with Beth and George Gage.
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