"Through failure sprouts growth"
Follow Jim Walmsley's journey from military service to becoming the first American man to win the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.
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The people behind it
Jim Walmsley
Self
Jess Brazeau
François d’Haene
Christophe Aubonnet
Bastien Perez
Simon Gosselin
Brandon Dugi
Centered around the Pennine Way fastest known time. Great Britain’s oldest – and arguably toughest – National Trail, incorporating around 37,000ft of grueling ascent. In 2020 two friends and elite ultra runners John Kelly and Damian Hall take on Mike Hartley’s intimidating record with their dedicated crews and pacers as they take on the most challenging task of their sporting careers to date.
Mont Blanc, the roof of Europe, attracts the attention of mountaineers from all over the world, from seasoned climbers to novices. With its extensive media coverage, this mountain represents a dream of adventure for an ever-growing audience. Catherine and Maël, natives of Chamonix, also dream of reaching its summit. But climbing the giant of the Alps is a major undertaking that requires rigorous high-altitude training. Aware of the risks, the two novices enlist the help of Jean-Paul Lemercier, a high-mountain guide. He will give them the opportunity to learn about this challenging environment during a "Mont Blanc Course," which includes ice climbing school, two acclimatization peaks, and the ascent of the legendary mountain over three days. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Mont Blanc massif, this film retraces their preparation, their attempts, and the realization of their dream, day by day.
The ascent of Mont Blanc takes two days. First, you have to climb the Aiguille du Goûter, at the summit of which, at 3,817 meters, clings the Goûter refuge, a small metal box where you spend the night. The climb is 1,500 meters long, including some of the most technical sections. 2:00 a.m. The alarm rings, and Carole Dechantre and Jean-Paul Lemercier begin their ascent of the Dôme du Goûter by the light of their headlamps. With the first rays of sunlight, the Arête des Bosses is illuminated. Already, the surrounding mountains seem smaller. One last effort, and they finally reach the summit of Mont Blanc, the roof of the Alps, at 4,810 meters.
In the Arctic Circle, Jason Fox and an elite team of military veterans open up to each other about men’s mental health while taking on one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.
This is Gaston Rebuffat's fourth film, in which, with several close friends, he discovers the sublime landscapes of the Alps. “Mont-Blanc is beautiful. I climbed it several times depending on the time, the color of the sky and the shape of the cornices and ridges. Because of the weather and also because of this feeling of altitude, Mont-Blanc provides great pleasure. For the guide, Mont Blanc is his garden, but the garden becomes more beautiful when shown to a friend. Personally, I really like the bivouacs; only there one penetrates a little the mystery of the altitude. That's why I immediately accepted when Tazieff expressed the desire to spend the night at the top of Mont Blanc in an igloo. The film won the Grand Prix at the Trento Film Festival in 1961.
The Alps – wild mountains, extreme lives, but also a magical world. This majestic mountain range connects eight countries and reaches heights of up to 4,000 metres above sea level. At a length of 1,200 kilometres, the Alps form both a connecting bridge between western and eastern Europe and a high barrier between southern and central Europe. The mountains act as a mighty water reservoir and continental watershed, feeding innumerable rivers that flow into three different oceans. Their highest peak, Mont Blanc, is surrounded by long, soaring mountains with ice-covered slopes. These great summits are just one reason the so-called “Roof of Europe” continues to fascinate – across the continent and around the world. The incredible diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna makes the Alps a unique natural treasure at the heart of Europe.
Cameron Balser had just returned home from his 12,000 mile run around the perimeter of the United States. His home town running group, Meshingomesia Track Club, was hosting their annual last man standing/back yard ultra, "Prairie On Fire." Prairie on Fire was going into their 3rd year as a race and they had yet to have anyone reach 100 miles. Cameron, who had won the race in 2023, was still recovering from his epic run, but, had made a promise to come back in 2024 to help achieve that milestone.
Our imperative is not an individual's victory - but a better community.. We do not want to overtake you - but to surpass ourselves.. Our results do not point out that we are better - but that you can do it as well.
"Les Habitants des Flammes de Pierre" is the making-of documentary for the film "The Pillar of Solitude," which recounts Walter Bonatti's historic 1955 ascent of the southwest pillar of the Drus (the Bonatti Pillar) in the Mont Blanc massif, an 800-meter-high vertical face, climbed solo in six days, despite having only three. In the film, the renowned Swiss mountaineer Michel Vaucher portrays Bonatti. Unlike the film "The Pillar of Solitude," which was shot in black and white, the making-of documentary was filmed in color.
After surviving an abusive past, Yorkshire mother Tahira discovers strength through trail running. Supported by a running community, she rebuilds her confidence and begins helping others find healing and freedom in the outdoors.
Few hikers start the PCT and finish. Even fewer clock a time faster than five months. Professional dentist, dedicated dad, and casual ultrarunner Karel Sabbe is not like most hikers. Backcountry’s new full-length documentary follows Karel as he vies to set the speed record... again.
An unprecedented look into the psyche of Karel Sabbe in his attempt to finish the legendary Barkley Marathons. As the first documentary focusing on a finisher, it unveils Sabbe's mental fortitude and physical resilience in tackling the brutal course. Through intimate interviews and captivating footage, viewers gain invaluable insights into the mindset required to endure the grueling challenges of the Barkley.
THE RUNNER follows Extreme UltraRunner David Horton as he runs more than 40 miles per day for 66 consecutive days in an attempt to set the speed record on the 2,700 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. An epic adventure of human endurance.
The only recorded completion of the North Cascades High Traverse took 28 days. Motivated by the challenge of rugged mixed-alpine terrain, trail runners Kaytlyn Gerbin and Jenny Abegg set out to complete the epic linkup in 6.
Eleven-year-old Papik (nickname for Yannick Vallençant) dreams of climbing Mont Blanc with his father, Patrick Vallençant. After serious training, the adventure begins: they set off from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, climb the ridge of the three Mont Blancs, bivouac at the Col de la Brenva, cross the Mur de la Côte and reach the summit of Mont Blanc. No child his age had ever before achieved this feat by this route.
In 2024, Jasmin Paris made history by becoming the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons, widely known as one of the hardest races in the world and a defining test in ultrarunning and trail running. With over 100 miles of brutal terrain, cryptic course markings, and a near-impossible success rate, the Barkley has long been considered the ultimate challenge in endurance sports. This film chronicles Jasmin’s extraordinary three-year journey (2022–2024) to achieve this groundbreaking feat and features exclusive interviews with legendary race director Lazarus Lake, ultrarunning icons Courtney Dauwalter, Amelia Boone, and Jared Campbell, as well as rare insights from Jasmin herself. Through never-before-seen footage from her home mountains in Scotland, in-depth analysis of her Barkley race strategy, and a deep dive into her endurance athlete mindset, this documentary reveals the resilience and determination behind one of the greatest achievements in ultrarunning history.
The unassuming and unlikely Steve Birkinshaw is one of the great fell runners. In this Lakeland tale of epic proportions, family man Steve turns to the people's champion as an inspirational figure through this extraordinary challenge. Have your mind and arteries blown as Steve attempts to break the legendary Joss Naylor's 27 year old record by linking up all 214 Lakeland Wainwright summits in under seven days. A level of suffering breaching into the super human. Featuring stunning cinematography by multi-award winner Alastair Lee, this wholesome, touching and personal account will not fail to leave you uplifted and believing anything is possible. We share every high and low as Steve questions his motives and battles on through 20 hour days with little or no sleep, blister hell, dehydration, searing heat and tendonitis are just some of the obstacles between Steve and a place in fell running history. Essentialy this is not a story about fell running but of the relentless human spirit.
Joseph Vallot and his team of guides and porters climb Mont Blanc in 1906. Their ascent will take three days. They spent their nights at the Grands Mulets refuge and the Grand Plateau refuge. This is the very first successfully filmed ascent. Joseph Vallot (1854-1925), rich heir of Lodève in Occitania. He devotes part of his fortune to the observation of the Alps, sometimes opposing the scientific community. He built an observatory, still standing today.
An intimate portrait of a unique sportswoman in extreme life roles. Mother of three adopted children, world and European champion in fitness and record holder on long distances throughout Slovakia. Soňa Kopčoková is a former professional fitness athlete with the titles of World and European Champion. After the end of her elite sporting career, she devoted herself fully to her family until she discovered that she loves long-distance running in the mountains. And so today she fulfils her dreams in the hills, running often only by herself... On June 16, 2021, she reached Devín after 11 days, 15 hours and 30 minutes in a new Slovak women's record on the SNP Heroes' Route route. From Dukla to Bratislava, she ran alone, without support and with only a single backpack where she carried everything, she needed to survive...
The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.
Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.
A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
Roddy McDowall takes you, film by film, from production meetings to make-up sessions, then right onto the movie set to see the actual filming of the science fiction masterpiece. The most comprehensive history of Planet of the Apes ever created, this fascinating 127-minute documentary explores one of the most imaginative and influential series in movie history.
On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls who were there for Sunday school. It was a crime that shocked the nation--and a defining moment in the history of the civil-rights movement. Spike Lee re-examines the full story of the bombing, including a revealing interview with former Alabama Governor George Wallace.
Go behind the scenes with stars, puppeteers and creators as they bring Jim Henson's magical world of Thra back to life in a sweeping fantasy series.
Explores the true story of the notorious Jesse James, how the myth developed during his lifetime, and how the legends have persisted over 100 years after his death at the hands of his former friend, Robert Ford.
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
A comprehensive 12-part documentary on the making of "Spider-Man 2," covering everything from pre-production to premiere.
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
In 2019, Nepalese mountain climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja set out to do the unthinkable by climbing the world’s fourteen highest summits in less than seven months. (The previous record was eight years). He called the effort “Project Possible 14/7” and saw it as a way to inspire others to strive for greater heights in any pursuit. The film follows his team as they seek to defy naysayers and push the limits of human endurance.
In the Realms of the Unreal is a documentary about the reclusive Chicago-based artist Henry Darger. Henry Darger was so reclusive that when he died his neighbors were surprised to find a 15,145-page manuscript along with hundreds of paintings depicting The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glodeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Cased by the Child Slave Rebellion.
The life of Canadian mountain climber Marc-André Leclerc as he pushes the boundaries of climbing while on an expedition to Patagonia.
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Martin Scorsese spends an evening with larger-than-life raconteur Steven Prince—a former drug addict, road manager for Neil Diamond, and actor—as he recounts stories from his colorful life.
This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.
As England reach the final of the Euros at last, 6,000 ticketless football fans storm Wembley stadium, leaving destruction in their wake.
The elite pilots of the Air Force Thunderbirds display exceptional skill, trust and courage during a high-stakes training season.