High Ground

This is a film that confronts the horrors faced by service members who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. It requires the viewer to see the harsh realities of what war does to a human being, both physically and psychologically.

The film chronicles a climb to a Himalayan mountain by a group of survivors from the two wars. Two-thirds of the film interviews members of the expedition and discusses what they went through. The other third documents their journey back to The Middle East and up the mountain. Just the fact that they are going back to near the area where they served stirs memories for them.

The movie is very well made, and is truly a documentary. It is a chronicle of the lives of these service members, and provides no viewpoint on war whatsoever. So, if you have heard it does, you have heard incorrect information. Especially given the potential to discuss the validity of the wars, or the lack thereof, there is none. That is admirable.

The stories are wrenching, and show how grisly it is to go to war and try to come back and lead a "normal" life.

The direction, photography, film score, etc. are all admirable. When you see who helped finance the expedition, and see that they are all small organizations, you know that there mustn't have been much money available. It makes you admire even more how professionally produced the film is. Congratulations to the hard work of all!

I have personally so much admired the bravery and service of all those who go to war for our great nation. That appreciation is deepened even more now.

As of this time of review, the film is available on Netflix Streaming. I very much encourage you to give the film a try. It is very much worth it!

******** (8 Out of 10 Stars)

This movie is more than a story of people climbing mountains. It's a touching and disturbing true account of the plight of returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, what they have been through, how they are struggling to reestablish themselves into daily life and how Soldiers to Summits is helping.

Touching: Hearing the soldiers' stories; seeing their emotional growth as they learn to scale mountains; seeing their faces as they accomplish their goals.

Disturbing: Realizing how poorly our returning veterans are treated; understanding what they have endured; wanting to do something about it.

It's a movie that makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you wonder how people go through what they do and survive. It's something we should all see to face the reality of what happens when soldiers return home.

Gorgeous scenery, beautiful score, it's a movie that calls you to action for our returning soldiers.

True stories are always the best stories, and stories don't get much more "true" than those told by the soldiers in High Ground. An entire generation of Americans have become desensitized to the realities of war, myself included. Hearing soldiers share their post-war struggles, both physical and emotional, was heartbreaking. Watching as they take small steps towards overcoming those struggles was heartwarming. Chad Jukes adds a great dose of comic relief along the way, and Aaron "Ike" Isaacson shows what it really means to be a hero. The cinematography in this movie is stunning, as is the soundtrack and score. I can't recommend the film enough!

This story was told with such raw genuine emotion. It was very emotional and touching in an inspirational way that showed the struggles of our veterans to heal. You cannot watch this without a deep connection for the service and all that they gave to serve our country regardless of how you feel about the wars. The cinematography of the Himalayas was breath taking. I especially enjoyed the visual connections that were made when sharing the story of Steve Baskis the soldier who had lost his sight. The strength and camaraderie that the soldiers received from each other coming together gave you a sense of the bonds that must grow on the battlefield and the love and commitment they have to each other with a shared experience. This movie will leave you touched and inspired.

I cannot understand the low rating this has on IMDb. I have never written a review before but created an account to sing the praises of this movie. Stunningly beautiful and emotionally moving, I wish more people could see it and appreciate the true bravery of these soldiers, more for what they talked about than the mountain they climbed.

Thank You

This review on rotten tomatoes makes much more sense. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/high_ground_2012/

writing more to satisfy IMDb rules??? Wow, this is silly, I may never right a review again!