Watch The Great Alone

The Great Alone is a 2015 documentary film that tells the story of Lance Mackey, an Alaskan musher, and his brother Dick Mackey, who became the first Alaskan to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The film, directed by Greg Kohs, follows the lives of the two Mackey brothers as they struggle to overcome personal demons and achieve their dreams of winning the toughest sled dog race in the world.

Born and raised in Alaska, Lance Mackey was introduced to mushing at an early age by his father, Dick Mackey. At the age of 14, Lance was diagnosed with throat cancer, which left him with a hoarse voice but did not deter him from pursuing his passion for sled dog racing. In 2007, Lance made history by becoming the first musher to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year, a feat that would earn him legendary status in the world of mushing.

However, behind Lance's success lay a troubled past. As a teenager, Lance struggled with addiction and was in and out of juvenile detention facilities. As an adult, he battled alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression, which threatened to derail his career as a musher. Through it all, Lance found solace in his sled dogs, which he once described as his "family". The film explores Lance's complex relationship with his dogs, and how they have helped him overcome personal struggles and achieve success.

Dick Mackey, on the other hand, was a trailblazer in the world of sled dog racing. He was the first Alaskan to win the Iditarod in 1978, a race that he almost lost due to a blinding snowstorm. The film chronicles Dick's triumph at the Iditarod and his subsequent struggles with addiction and family issues. Despite his personal demons, Dick remained a role model for Lance, who saw in his older brother a mentor and a hero.

The Great Alone is not just a film about sled dog racing; it is also a portrait of a family that has endured hardships and overcome adversity. The film shows the Mackey brothers in their most vulnerable moments, as they confront their personal demons and navigate the ups and downs of their relationships with each other and their families. Through it all, the film celebrates the resilience and determination of the human spirit, and the transformative power of the Alaskan wilderness.

The cinematography of The Great Alone is breathtaking, capturing the stark beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and the rugged terrain of the Iditarod trail. The filmmakers also use archival footage and interviews with family members, friends, and fellow mushers to provide a fuller picture of the Mackey brothers' lives and careers. The result is a compelling and inspiring film that will appeal not only to fans of sled dog racing but to anyone who values perseverance, courage, and the bonds of family.

In conclusion, The Great Alone is a powerful and moving documentary that celebrates the human spirit and the transformative power of the Alaskan wilderness. Through the experiences of Lance and Dick Mackey, the film shows how we can overcome personal struggles and achieve our dreams. The film is a testament to the courage, resilience, and determination of the human spirit, and it will leave audiences both inspired and moved.

The Great Alone is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.