Thirteen Crosses - Feature Documentary
Project Overview
Thirteen Crosses is a feature documentary about the Mann Gulch Fire of 1949 outside of Helena, Montana. This monumental fire claimed the lives of thirteen young smokejumpers and forever changed wildland firefighting. This film is an ultra-low-budget, non-profit venture, with all proceeds going to the Wildland Firefighting Foundation, one of the largest charities in the country supporting wildland firefighters and their families.
The Mann Gulch fire of 1949 is more than a tragic chapter in the history of wildland firefighting; it is a pivotal moment that forever altered our approach to battling nature’s most uncontrollable force. By telling the story of the thirteen brave Smokejumpers who perished in the flames, “Thirteen Crosses” aims to honor their sacrifice while shedding light on the harrowing challenges faced by those who risk their lives to protect our natural landscapes. This film is our way of remembering the lives lost and ensuring that the lessons learned from that day continue to guide and improve wildfire management today.
“Thirteen Crosses” is not just a recounting of the events; it’s an exploration of the human spirit, resilience, and the profound impact of this tragedy on the evolution of firefighting techniques. By delving into the factors that led to the disaster, some of which remain controversial, we seek to spark a conversation about the risks and realities of this perilous work. Through this film, we hope to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about safety and innovation in firefighting, ensuring that the memories of those who perished at Mann Gulch catalyze progress and serve as a tribute to their enduring legacy.
Proceeds from this film will support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding the families of fallen firefighters and helping those who continue to face these dangers. Through this film, we hope to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about safety and innovation in firefighting while providing tangible support to those who carry on this vital, life-saving work.
Learn more at www.thirteencrosses.com
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Narrator (Male, 50s-70s): We are looking for a warm voice to be the central storyteller of the film. The ideal voice will capture the feeling of an older firefighter telling a story in a bar or around a fire. Looking for a tone that fits a Montana community without being too western or twangy. Think JK Simmons or Josh Brolin rather than Sam Elliot.
NEEDS: About 15 minutes of final voice-over, following the script, telling the events of the documentary. About 2000 words NO AI
- english
- montanan
- male adult
- narration
- Storyteller
- Adult
- american
- JK Simmons
- warm
- documentary
- Josh Brolin
- neutral american
- middle aged
- male senior
- sincere
- Montana
On a sweltering August afternoon in 1949, the quiet hills of western Montana erupted into an inferno that would forever change the course of wildland firefighting. A lightning strike sparked a blaze that would transform from manageable to catastrophic.
Mann Gulch. Few fires live so vividly in modern memory. It may not have been the first of its kind or the last, but, mired in controversy, the wildland firefighting community continues to feel its sting today. And it's not just them who remember...
Dodge jumped into the burned area he had created and called for his crewmen to join him. All Dodge could do was lie down and pray.
Wag Dodge (Male, 33): The quiet, fastidious foreman of the smokejumpers in Missoula, MT. His talents for working with his hands make him a skilled firefighter, but a lack of familiarity with his crew makes him a questionable leader. A no-nonsense worker.
The role involves reading his words from his official testimony given to the board of review after the fire. He was a very professional firefighter and foreman. While the events of the fire likely had a lasting effect on him, he was stoic in hiding his trauma in public.
NEEDS: About 1 min of final voice-over. Testimony from after the fire recounting events. 177 words NO AI
- english
- montanan
- american
- adult
- Jeremy Renner
- Patrick Wilson
- direct
- professional
- documentary
- male adult
- real
- robert downey jr
- short
- Reserved
- film
We arrived over the fire, which was about 60 acres in size, at 3:10 pm. Jack Nash called my attention upon sighting the fire in Mann Gulch…ink would fit*
I heard someone comment with these words, "To hell with this, I am getting out of here!" and for all my hollering, I could not direct anyone into the burned area
I left Hellman with the crew to pick up some subsistence and water before starting down the canyon, and left instructions for him to follow me over to the far side of the canyon with the crew.
Robert Jansson (Male, 30s-40s): The district ranger of the Canyon Ferry district, near Helena, MT. An honest, hardworking ranger who was concerned for the men he put in harm's way. He would be forever scarred by the fire.
The role involves reading his words from his official testimony given to the board of review after the fire. He was described as being so overwhelmed by the trauma he experienced that he could not face the questioners, but instead answered with his back turned to the room. That emotion should be conveyed, but also restrained by a 1950s "toughen-up" attitude. Earlier lines will be more matter-of-fact.
NEEDS: About 2 min of final voice-over. Testimony from after the fire recounting events. 386 words NO AI
- english
- american
- professional
- neutral american
- Concerned
- Passionate
- Emotional
- sincere
- montanan
- documentary
- film
- No-nonsense
- Bill Pullman
- male adult
- direct
- Barry Pepper
From town, we saw smoke, about 6 miles from the base of the fire. The area was very steep; rocky, which would give us a medium to high resistance to control.*
When I got about 10 or 15 chains down, a whirl came right by me and in passing through that whirl I breathed some of the smoke and decided it wasn't a very good idea.
I didn't think they did jump in it, and I didn't think there was anyone in Man Gulch, because from the time I had come down the river there was so much smoke in the throat of Man Gulch I didn't think anyone was in this country here.
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