Edge of the Earth (miniseries)

Last updated

Edge of the Earth
GenreDocumentary
Created by
  • Steve Jones
  • Todd Jones
  • Drew Holt
Directed by
  • Todd Jones
  • Steve Jones
Composer Tyler Strickland
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Steve Jones
  • Todd Jones
  • Drew Holt
  • Brett Hills
ProducerDrew Holt
Cinematography
  • Michael Ozier
  • Jeff Wright
  • Ben Danin
Editors
  • Justin Fann
  • Rose Corr
Running time60 minutes [1]
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseJuly 12 (2022-07-12) –
August 2, 2022 (2022-08-02) [2] [3]

Edge of the Earth is a 2022 HBO documentary television miniseries that follows four different extreme sports expeditions undertaken by elite athletes. Each episode follows a different group traveling to a remote area. The outdoor sports highlighted are snowboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, and surfing. Everywhere the athletes go, they witness the impact of climate change and industry on the landscape and society. The series was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] [2] [4]

Contents

Production

The series was created and directed by brothers Todd Jones and Steve Jones, founders of production company Teton Gravity Research (TGR). [1] Talks to develop the series began between TGB and HBO in the summer of 2019. There were early plans to shoot in China, but this did not occur due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The show was filmed during the pandemic and, as a result, the athletes and filmmaking crew underwent regular testing. The pandemic also led to logistical challenges as the team navigated areas with travel bans. The production team consisted of more than 60 people in total. In each location, cinematography was handled by experts in their respective sports. [2]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"Into the Void"Todd Jones & Steve JonesJuly 12, 2022 (2022-07-12)
Jeremy Jones leads a group of fellow elite snowboarders in an attempt to descend Mount Bertha in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, as the mountain has never been snowboarded or skied. The group hikes up to their destination, encountering both heavy snows and unseasonably warm weather. Jones talks about his non-profit organization Protect Our Winters, which is fighting for government action against climate change.
2"Raging Torrent"Todd Jones & Steve JonesJuly 19, 2022 (2022-07-19)
In Ecuador, a trio of whitewater kayakers aim to be the first ones to cross Llanganates National Park via the Chalupas River. They encounter more challenging conditions than expected, face low food rations, and an injury from a machete accident. The group fights over whether to continue and how to better communicate so they can proceed safely. In the end, they must call off the trip.
3"Reaching for the Sky"Todd Jones & Steve JonesJuly 26, 2022 (2022-07-26)
Climbing team and romantic couple Emily Harrington and Adrian Ballinger travel to the incredibly remote Pik Slesova in Kyrgyzstan. Their goal is to accomplish the first individual free climb ascent up a challenging route. Their original plan is to hike to the mountain. However, both contract COVID-19 despite being vaccinated and taking precautions. After two weeks of quarantine in an hotel, they test negative for the virus. The couple fly by helicopter to the mountain and begin their ascent. After several grueling days, they summit and are elated.
4"The Great Unknown"Todd Jones & Steve JonesAugust 2, 2022 (2022-08-02)
Grant Baker is among a group of elite surfers who go in search of new beaches with the potential for massive swells on the western coast of South Africa. During the expedition, they struggle to find good waves, and thoroughly plan out safety protocols for surfing in the unfamiliar areas. An Australian mining company threatens to destroy around 50 kilometers of pristine, untouched shoreline, and activists struggle to save the area.

Reception

Scott Hines of Decider praised the show, writing it avoided "being corny" by making "something that’s simultaneously breathtakingly beautiful and utterly terrifying." [4] Michelle Bruton at Forbes felt the show did a good job appealing to both those involved in action sports and those where were more casually interested. [2] Graham Averill at Outside likened the extreme sports as "almost a sideshow" and wrote "The films are at their most compelling when they focus on the human element of the expeditions." [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Graham, Averill (July 12, 2022). "In HBO's 'Edge of the Earth,' the Best Athletes Attempt the Craziest Feats in the Most Remote Places". outsideonline.com. Outside Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bruton, Michelle (July 12, 2022). "New HBO Action Sports Documentary 'Edge Of The Earth' Will Make Your Palms Sweat". Forbes. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ McCormack, Olivia (August 2, 2022). "What to watch on Tuesday: 'Tom Swift' finale airs on the CW". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 4, 2022. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 I 'Edge of the Earth' finale airs on HBO
  4. 1 2 Hines, Scott (July 16, 2022). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Edge of the Earth' on HBO Max, a Limited-Run Docuseries Following Some of the World's Greatest Adventurers". decider.com. Decider. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
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