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Media Note: Direct narration from the script always appears
in italics and quotes.
Opening Montage A Sensory Overload of
Sight and Sound
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "You Want It Back" by Propellerheads
"For the last 50 years, it has been snowing somewhere."
The film's opening line is followed by a time-machine blitz
of the last fifty years' most pivotal events: Bobby Thompson's
home run, Nixon's resignation, Vietnam war protests, Mohamed
Ali, MLK's "I have a dream…" speech,
Beatlemania, the first man on the moon, the Twist, and the
Hoola-Hoop are just a few. The images are interspersed with
classic memories from fifty years of Warren Miller films.
If you get lost in the dazzling rhythm of juxtaposed images,
fear not, Warren's wit will bring you back to the mission
at hand.
"For the last 50 years I haven't spent a lot of my
time watching the nightly news. Instead, I watch for the snow
report."
This opening montage sets up a climax of unmistakably current-and
cutting edge-footage: big-air cliff jumps, extreme descents,
and unbelievable crashes. - Top
of Page
Alaska Freeriding: the Last Frontier
Riders: Nate Cole, Johan Olafsson, and Noah Salasnek
Form of Freeriding: Snowboards
Music: "Heavy" by Collective Soul
The last frontier in America provides a backdrop of beauty
and grandeur in this sequence of scenic splendor. Add some
of the most talented snowboarders who have ever dropped into
a bottomless chute and you have a good idea of what transpires
in Alaska. The panoramic view of three freeriders throwing
up rooster-tails of feathery powder as they shred down this
natural treasure is compelling evidence for those who believe
"a board is better." Whatever your chosen
form of freeriding might be, every Warren Miller fan is sure
to agree that "no film called Fifty, would be complete
without snowboarding in the awesome Chugach Range of Alaska's
Prince William Sound." - Top
of Page
Mike Wiegele's Resort; Blue River, British
Columbia Heli-Skiing in Virgin Terrain
Riders: J.P. Auclair, Jonny Moseley, and Bob Rankin
Form of Freeriding: Skis
Music: "Particular Place To Be" by Melissa Ferrick;
and "Crush" by Dave Matthews
Former Olympic Gold Medallist, Jonny Moseley and new-school
master, J.P. Auclair join Bob Rankin (arguably the best heli-skiing
guide on earth) in tackling, "some of the best freeriding
terrain on the planet." It's a real-life adventure
of every freerider's fantasy. Deep, untracked powder and miles
and miles of perpendicular play is what Wiegele's backyard
is known for today. Even J.P. Auclair's heart-stopping, head-over-heels
tumble down the unbroken face of this extreme terrain seems
to play flawlessly. As the camera pans away to a postcard
perfect view of the arresting beauty of Blue River, B.C.,
Miller freely admits he "…could easily come back
here for the next fifty years and never ski the same run twice."
After all, it offers three of his favorite things: powder
snow, no lift lines, and frequent flyer miles! - Top
of Page
Vail, Colorado Ride Like a Local
Riders: Chris Anthony, Adrienne Gibbs, Mike Gibbs, Ted Gwathmey,
Patty Kauf, Scott Kauf, Jason Lalla, and Mike Thomas
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Got My Own Thing Now" by Squirrel Nut
Zippers; "Hit & Run Holiday" by My Life
with the Thrill Kill Kult; and "Long Walk Home"
by Citizen King
This scene covers it all! Opening shots display a glimpse
of the past as eight-year-old Kurt Miller enjoys a vacation
with his father at Vail in the early years of the resort's
development. Moving into present-time, a half dozen superstars
join pro snowboarder, Mike Thomas and Paralympic Gold Medallist,
Jason Lalla, as they find the right topography to showcase
their amazing talent. Camera crews track a visual symphony
on snow as these freeriders zip through Vail's two new bowls.
The beauty and harmony of the trees and glades seem to offer
skiers of all levels the feel of the wild, untouched territory
for which freeriding was born. - Top
of Page
Cotopaxi, Ecuador How To Freeride a Volcano
Riders: Chris Anthony, Danny Caruso, Dan Gilchrist
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Noches Guitanas" and "Chiquilla"
by Luis Villages
From the rustic, no-frills train ride to the steamy jungles
of Cotopaxi, the challenges in Ecuador never end. After a
lung-bursting trek to the 19,347-foot summit of an equatorial
volcano, three hardy freeriders make their way down a blanket
of snow that "resembles cauliflower, mixed with blue
ice." Although Miller jokes that the snow "resembles
junk put there by a man running the snowmaking gun on his
first day on the job at Mt. Trashmore," the view
from the top and the exciting journey to the bottom is well
worth the trip. After fifty years of riding or climbing to
the top of every snow-covered peak in the world, Warren still
believes that "when you ski down a mountain anywhere
on the planet, everybody wins." - Top
of Page
Crash And Chuckle The Best of Fall-Down
Fun
Music: "Better Days" by Citizen King
If you like slapstick humor and spontaneous, fall-down funny
gags, you'll love this candid montage of hilarious spills
and thrills. Having captured the unskilled and unaware on
camera for more than fifty years, this cinematic sequence
is guaranteed to bring lots of chuckles. - Top
of Page
Crystal Mountain, Washington The Power
of Pristine Powder
Riders: Wendy Brookbank, Caleb Martin, Justin Patnode, and
Mickey Price
Form of Freeriding: Skis
Music: "Slow" by Collective Soul; and "Under
the Influence" by Citizen King
If there is a ski slope in heaven, we can only hope it resembles
the deep powder on the northeast side of Mt. Rainier. Skiing
under perfect conditions, the fearless foursome of Brookbank,
Martin, Patnode, and Price leave nothing to the imagination.
They devour big air, steep chutes, deep powder, and groomed
runs with the hard-driving tune punctuating the action. After
watching this sequence, film fans across the nation will agree
with Warren that "there is nothing wrong with the
23 feet of snow at Crystal Mountain." - Top
of Page
Base Jumping An Adrenaline Junkie Takes
A Dive
Form of Freeriding: Freefalling!
Music: "Vulgar Instrument" by The Kind
What starts as a scenic hike to the top of a majestic peak
turns into an unexpected leap of faith. Fortunately, the "backpack"
opens into a colorful canopy that allows this stealth base
jumper to soar like a giant condor over the surreal landscape.
You'll flip out over the somersaults, helicopters spins, and
high altitude high jinx. This warm weather para-sailing surprise
is the perfect transition into the powerful scenes that follows
in its wake. - Top
of Page
Heavenly, California Postcard Perfect
Riders: Megan Brown, Ben Hinkley, Suzanne Sawyer Montgomery,
and Curtis Tischler
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Mountain" by Tonic
Even in the wildest of dreams, it's hard to imagine a bigger,
more beautiful resort than the one that straddles two states
and rises like the Phoenix from the shores of Lake Tahoe.
With some of the longest vertical drops in the Tahoe Basin,
Heavenly "is the sort of place where a lot of freeriders
live." Although it is certainly no secret, the locals
seldom mention that their hometown hill has "more
skiable acreage than any other resort on the West Coast."
Watch pro snowboarder Ben Hinkley and an all-star cast of
red-hot skiers perform every legal act possible on a snow
covered slope, as well as a few that defy the laws of physics.
- Top of Page
Breckenridge, Colorado Nissan Freeride
Exhibition
Riders: Garrett Altmann, J.P. Auclair, Vincent Dorion, Mike
Douglas, Evan Dybvig, Tim McKeever, Jonny Moseley, Philippe
Poirier, Evan Raps, Adam Schrab and Luke Schrab
Form of Freeriding: Skis
Music: "Marijuana" by Reverend Horton Heat; and
"Mata Hari" by Atomic Fireball
The final sequence in reel one packs a big one-two punch.
Don Brolin, better known as D.B., has been the Director of
Photography at Warren Miller Entertainment since 1962. In
this sequence, D.B. performs in a rare Chaplin-like cameo
role to establish the location. His expert physical comedy
quickly gives way to the real headliner in this showcase of
excitement Nissan's "Freeride Extra-Progressive Freestyle
Exhibition" at Breckenridge.
Set on a course with jumps that would make even the heartiest
freerider weak in the knees, this sequence is truly an exhibition
on all that is new and exciting in freeriding. You'll see
the sport that Jonny Moseley himself brought into the spotlight
with his Nagano gold medal. Jonny's mute grab, a crossover
move that mixes the style and guts of snowboarding with the
flexibility of skis, is just the beginning for these riders.
With Jonny as both host and participant, these freeriders
showcase the latest moves from inverted take-offs to mid-air
contortions previously unimagined. - Top
of Page
Sugar Bowl, California The New Donner
Party
Riders: Anna Kanarowski, Josh Lieberman, Dustin Lindgren,
and Jason Toth
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Ool Ya Koo" by Dizzy Gillespie; and "Spanish
Fly" by Atomic Fireball
The enormous impact of Fifty is clearly displayed in this
retrospective of "one of the truly classic ski resorts
in America." A masterful mix of new freeriding action,
along with some rare footage from WME's priceless archives,
is as close as you'll get to "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride"
on the big screen. The old school vs. new school theme skillfully
chronicles the rise of extreme skiing with highlights from
former greats like Jim McConkey and Scot Schmidt right up
to the latest fearless freeriders who turn Sugar Bowl into
their own private playground. - Top
of Page
Booth Creek, New Hampshire Toying Around
in New England
Riders: Will Garrow, Kina Pickett, and Donna Weinbrecht
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Just You, Just Me" by Katharine Whalen's
Jazz Squad; and "Happy" by The Getaway People
A smorgasbord of freeriding is the only way to describe what
goes on at Mt. Cranmore, Loon, and Waterville Valley. Heading
straight to the bumps, Donna Weinbrecht demonstrates the classic
grace and style that won her an Olympic gold medal. Not to
be outdone, snowboard pro Will Garrow leaves his signature
on the face of Loon Mountain's steep terrain and tests out
some new snow toys. After watching the fun these freeriders
have at Booth Creek, the child within all of us will want
to come out to play. - Top
of Page
Classic Comedy Funny Footage from Former
Films
Music: "It's All Been Done" by Barenaked Ladies
In this comical sequence, Miller's fifty-year legion of fans
are treated to one more look at some of the most hilarious
moments on film. The fall down funny highlights include everything
from the comic capers of Zudnick the Wonder Dog, to the famous
"Rocket Man" experiment that must have been engineered
by Wiley Coyote. Wild costumes, down hill laughs, and every
whimsical shtick imaginable are stitched together with a perfect
musical score. - Top
of Page
Obermeyer Chasing "The Fox"
Riders: Klaus Obermeyer and Friends
Form of Freeriding: Skis, Snow Kayaks and Other Snowriding
Equipment
Music: Library Music
Talk about fun! Chasing eighty-year-old Klaus Obermeyer on
skis, snowboard, kayak, para-glider, and sailboard through
some of the most dazzling locations on earth is a liberating
experience. And, with so many ways to escape, you can't help
but be inspired by this sly ol' fox. In perfect Warren Miller
tradition, the fit and famous "godfather of outdoor
adventure" closes with his secret to perpetual youth:
"We play on the frozen snow all winter long and in
the summer we play on the unfrozen snow." - Top
of Page
Innsbruck, Austria The Mother of All Freeriders
Riders: Youbi Ahmed, Stefen Gimpl, Nikke Gruenewaldt, and
Sebu Kuhlberg
Form of Freeriding: Snowboards
Music: "Nicey" by Reno's Men; and "When She
Comes" by Tommy Hendrikson
How do you top this? The place: Innsbruck, Austria - the
home of two previous Winter Olympics. The scene: Team Burton
giving nothing but a world class demonstration of everything
you can do on a snowboard. In the deep powder of the Austrian
Arlberg, where downhill skiing was invented around the turn
of the century, you'll see what some bad boys on boards do
to the traditional terrain. No matter what kind of freeriding
you favor in Austria, "the only thing that really matters
is that the snow is deep, the ski lift is running, and you
have enough money to afford to ride it." - Top
of Page
Snowbird, Utah A Big Bowl of Powder
Riders: Dave Richards, Michael Roddy, Jim Smith, and Sean
Smith
Form of Freeriding: Skis and Snowboards
Music: "Dreaming" by HyperJive; and "Learn
to Fly" by Foo Fighters
Warren Miller is certainly not alone in his opinion when
he states that "the best powder snow on the planet
falls out of the sky less than forty miles from the Salt Lake
City International Airport." And, after you see these
freeriders take on the big bowls covered with feathery fluff
at Snowbird, you'll know why. This talent-rich team of skiers
and snowboarders puts on a display of versatility and tackles
everything possible under a variety of conditions. With no
apparent fear of the consequences of gravitational pull, these
freeriders throw themselves into some of the most challenging
situations ever attempted by the legally sane. "The
number of people watching you try a trick is always inversely
proportional to the stupidity of the trick you are trying,"
is just one of the observations by Miller that will have you
nodding in agreement and giggling with delight. - Top
of Page
Mont Blanc/Chamonix, France Return Of
The Rip Curl Mountain Challenge
Riders: A Variety of Talent
Form of Freeriding: Skis
Music: "Open Your Eyes" by Guano Apes
The Rip Curl Mountain Challenge is one of the most spectacular
exhibitions of extreme skiing ever seen on film. The world
class talent that tackles the fifty degree faces of Mont Blanc/Chamonix
takes some calculated risks when accepting this challenge.
While creativity is a gift, the combination of courage and
skill is a basic requirement for any freerider willing to
take the Rip Curl Mountain Challenge. The dramatic pull-back
shots bring this breath-taking peak into view and display
the well thought-out lines of those who've accepted the challenge.
- Top of Page
Juneau, Wisconsin The Flatland Flyers
Riders: Adam Schrab and Luke Schrab
Form of Freeriding: Skis
Music: "Billhilly" by Citizen King
Right smack dab in the center of this nation's heartland,
"about as far away from a big mountain ski resort
as you can get and still be somewhere in America,"
a couple of adrenaline-starved farmers create a ski jump for
some home-style fun. Using their grandfather's tractor, 400
bales of "borrowed" hay, and the determination that
made this country great, the Schrab brothers chase their dream
of being the greatest freestyle aerialists to ever perform
on a perfectly flat cornfield. With some charming dialog,
this piece of Americana is a tribute to the renaissance spirit
that lives in every freerider and a reminder of the extraordinary
things that ordinary people do with their lives. - Top
of Page
Pacific Northwest A Heli-Boarding Adventure
Riders: Shin Campos, Temple Cummings, Andy Hetzel, Jeremy
Jones, Brian Savard
Form of Freeriding: Snowboards
Music: "As Good As You" by Far Too Jones
A group of extreme snowboarders take off and explore the
open terrain of the Pacific Northwest. On a North Cascade
heli-trip, these boarders demonstrate the pure joy of carving
deep turns on the side of a mountain. Join these riders as
they cruise down the picture perfect mountainside and show
the world how it's done! - Top
of Page
Closing Montage Exotica
Music: "Voyager" by Les Nubians
Just when it can't get any better, it does! Saving the best
for last, WME pulls out all the stops in this finale that
features an avalanche of sights and sounds, guaranteed to
give you goose bumps. An ingenious mix of music, exotic locations,
brilliant talent, and Miller's poignant thoughts, gives this
retrospective a tender feeling of hope and optimism. Having
lived and loved every one of the major milestones displayed
in this cinematic celebration, Miller closes the golden anniversary
film by saying, "However we have changed your life
in the last 50 years, in the next 50 years, we look forward
to doing the same thing!" - Top
of Page
Closing Credits
Music: "Hanging Around" by Counting Crows
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