Title: The Great Alaskan Race
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Brian Presley
Starring: Brian Presley, Treat Williams, Brad Leland
Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes

What It Is: Based on the real-life story of Champion Musher Leonhard ‘Sepp” Seppala (Brian Presley) and his valiant trek across the Alaskan tundra to save his hometown of Nome, Alaska.

What We Think: As more unsung heroes are brought to light as we deconstruct the history, it almost seems necessary to provide them a platform to be seen. While the film notes that Seppala did not run the most famous leg of the 1925 Great Serum Run with a subtle nod to famous sled dog Balto; Leonhard, along with his lead dog Togo, rode the longest and most treacherous part. The film centers on that treacherous path, eclipsing it with the town’s growing loss to diphtheria, to create a heart-tugging film of innocent proportions.

The film has technical difficulties, the cinematography being too ambitious for what was finalized, resulting in an almost late-night movie feel to it. The outside shots were somewhat blurry as if the definition was not established for wide film. The dialogue was poor, perhaps meant to have a more stoic feel based on the era the film is based in. The issue the non-fluid conversation lends itself to is that it does affect the way the actors interact. The acting was earnest, the gaps in reading lines perhaps unnoticed during filming, but the film serves its purpose. It’s a family-friendly film, one that parents can feel comfortable taking their kids to beyond Pixar and Dreamworks.

Our Grade: C, The film has a hard time overcoming its novice (almost workmen style) piecing together. It’s a wholesome movie set embedded with a wholesome storyline, but it felt almost unfinished on it’s way to being whole. Director/lead actor Brian Presley seemed enthusiastic about his project, and that follows all the way through to his choice to donate proceeds of tickets sales to 5 different non-profits, which should make you feel good about spending the money. Though much like the film, Presley noted his need to create a story that incorporated the Inuit’s culture, like most films done without direct Aboriginal input, it fell short. It wasn’t disrespectful in my opinion, but that’s not really for me to say.