Award-winning documentary filmmaker Steven C. Barber has made quite a name for himself by cinematically illustrating the lives of very inspirational people, with films such as “Return to Tarawa: The Leon Cooper Story (2009)” and “Until They Are Home (2012).”
But perhaps his most humanistic work to date is a 2009 film he directed (and was the camera operator for), titled “Unbeaten.” This fascinating film documents the trials and triumphs of 31 paraplegic athletes over the course of six days, as they tackle “Sadler’s Alaska Challenge,” considered by many to be the most difficult road race in the world.
An added challenge is that these athletes must traverse the entire course via their wheelchairs and handcycles. That’s not an easy task when you consider that the entire length of the course is 267 miles long and snakes through the frigid mountain passes of the Denali National Park, located between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. Also, the first part of the race is entirely uphill.
Warmly hosted and narrated by Dan Aykroyd, we get to see things from the intimate perspective of three particular paraplegic racers—Chris Kohler, Geoffrey Erickson, and Edwin Figueroa—as they valiantly traverse over 50 miles of the course per day.
The Sadler’s Alaska Challenge race takes place over the course of six days. As Chris Kohler informs us, the primary difference between a wheelchair and a handcycle is that wheelchairs only have a single gear while handcycles have a full 21 gears—similar to a 21-speed bicycle.
At around the film’s midpoint, we’re transported to China’s 2008 Beijing Paralympics and introduced to the elite racers of the U.S. Paralympics team. This includes Oz Sanchez (who has won medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games, as well as the 2016 Paralympic Games), considered to be the fastest man alive in a handcycle, as well as Alejandro Albor (who has won both silver and bronze medals). Their perspectives are very unique, as is their zest for life.
Some of these paraplegic athletes delve into their pasts and reveal how they became paraplegics in the first place. The men also talk about how they’ve adjusted to their new lives and what initially inspired them to want to compete in races. Each of them brings interesting viewpoints to ponder that many viewers might not expect.
As one of the racers points out, just because paraplegic athletes are considered disabled, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re unable. Indeed, the heart and passion these men bring to the table is awe-inspiring. They’ve found other ways to accomplish their dreams and goals instead of letting their disabilities become their obstacles. It’s a sort of workaround concept—and it works (no pun intended).
Getting to know these men, and their individual personalities and idiosyncrasies, is a great setup for the suspense to come. Indeed, as you witness the incredibly immersive, expertly-edited race footage, you’ll begin to feel emotionally invested in these individuals and root for each of them to win. They were all such great guys that I couldn’t pick a favorite.
‘Unbeaten’
Director: Steven C. Barber Stars: Dan Aykroyd, Chris Kohler, Geoffrey Erickson Running Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes MPAA Rating: TV-G Release Date: 2009 Rated: 5 stars out of 5-
