The Wasatch Mountains have done it again. They not only served as the perfect playground for the 2002 Winter Olympics, but now they're the main backdrop for a new Billy Graham movie.
"The Climb," filmed entirely in the Wasatch, is now available on video at most Christian bookstores.
While the setting for this Christian-oriented tale is Denver, Utah won out as the ideal filming location for the action-adventure film.
Barry Werner, executive in charge of production for the movie, said it was the gorgeous Wasatch Mountains and the reliability of backup actors and film crews in Utah that helped make the decision.
Werner said film crews were able to work safely and more comfortably at 8,000-to-11,000-foot elevations in the Wasatch. Colorado's mountains are more rugged and the elevations were less safe.
"The Climb" tells the harrowing story of two rock climbers — Michael Harris (played by Ned Vaughn, who also appeared in "The Beach Boys") and Derrick Williams (Jason George of "Sunset Beach") — who meet in a daring rescue and then begin a friendship that takes them to a dream climb up "Mount Chicanagua," in Chile. Some personal issues get in the way and Christianity offers relief.
Werner said the filmmakers chose to keep the Denver setting for the script because there are more rock climbers in that area and that location would give the film broader appeal.
Mount Chicanagua's alter ego in the film is actually the Little Matterhorn ("Pfeifferhorn"), the 10th-highest peak in the Wasatch at 11,326 feet above sea level. Located between American Fork Twin Peaks and Lone Peak, it is not visible from the Salt Lake Valley, though it has a dramatic pyramid-shaped summit.
Werner admits some may not see the movie because of pre-conceived notions about Billy Graham's movies being too preachy or dull.
"We say take a look," he said. "It's a slice-of-life kind of movie that you could assume was true."
The last few Graham movies (his World Wide Pictures Company tries to do one film a year) have grabbed a 4.2 share TV audience. The movie's general appeal was sufficient to wing a showing on network TV earlier this month.
The movie moves fast and has lots of action, and the only overtly preachy element is a four-or-so-minute segment near the end.
"It's an action movie, but relationships rule out," Werner said.
Dabney Coleman ("You've Got Mail") is the only well-known actor in the movie. Werner brought in five other actors from California but used local Utah talent for the other 20 actors listed in the credits. The 20 include former newscaster Phil Riesen, plus current newscasters Lisa Conley and Terry Wood.
"It was indicative of the amount of talent in Utah," Werner said.
Provo locations and the old Osmond studios in Orem were also used for the movie, which was filmed over 18 days in March 2001. Snowbird and its ski patrol were key players in the movie's technical success. Some days, the crew was flown into the backcountry of the Little Cottonwood Canyon area. A few mountain scenes were superimposed from a Provo parking lot set.
Werner said many Utahns may not recognize most of the mountains because they are seen from the back side. Close-range filming also affected the looks of many of the mountains.
Portions of downtown Salt Lake, Rock Canyon and other features in the Provo area are recognizable in the film.
Utah's unpredictable March weather created a few problems for the film crew. Werner said one big storm added some four feet of snow to their set, and metal detectors had to be used to find it a few days later.
Issues addressed in the film include an unplanned pregnancy, selfishness, death of loved ones, ruthless business practices and sports accomplishment at any cost.
Viewers will especially enjoy the film's spectacular scenery, a plus that earned the movie "Best Cinematographer" and "Best Feature Drama" at the 2002 International Family Film Festival in April.
Climbing-action scenes are as good or better than those in "Vertical Limit" and "Cliffhanger."
The movie will be available on DVD in September. It had a limited theatrical release on 30 screens last February.
This is World Wide Pictures' 50th anniversary.
"Our goal is to produce and distribute films that present the gospel attractively and persuasively," Billy Graham states in a movie synopsis. "We are enlarging the scope of our film industry and we've received reports of thousands becoming Christians as a result. We want to help you bring your friends to Christ."
The movie sells for $19.95 in VHS and is available at many Christian retailers. It can also be ordered online at www.shop.wwp.org), or by calling 1-800-501-4557.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com