In Production
Utah 213th and the Miracle at Gapyeong, 1951
Feature Documentary
In late May of 1951, roughly 250 soldiers of the 213th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) fought a critical battle against, and were nearly overrun, by an estimated 4,000 Communist Chinese soldiers in the Gapyeong (Kapyong) Valley, Korea. More than half of the 213th were Utah guardsman from southern Utah, including the commander Colonel Dalley and his headquarters staff. The men of the 213th fought fiercely and admirably to protect each other -- they were neighbors, family members and fellow members of their church from the same home towns. Normally artillery units like the 213th would have operated behind the front line--out of direct contact with the enemy. But in the pre-dawn hours of May 27th, 1951, the battle commenced at such great speed that elements of the 213th found themselves surrounded and behind enemy lines. This was not an artillery dual, the men of the 213th fought with small arms, their personal weapons, as the Communist Chinese were “in the perimeter.” The official report said 350 Chinese were killed and 831 captured, some estimated the deaths as high as 500. Remarkably not a single soldier/national guardsman was lost during the battle. It wasn’t the 213th’s first or last battle while deployed to the Korean conflict but later, after returning from deployment, the Utahns that comprised the 213th realized that they had all returned from deployment. It was the miracle of Gapyeong and they were the "Miracle Battalion" -- not one fatality!
In an effort to depict this story as accurately as possible we have collected images, letters, journals, and other documents. Some of these documents are available on our website for reference and research.
Feature Documentary
Solicitor General Rex E. Lee’s impact on the nation’s highest court is still manifest in the laws that govern us today—although most of us wouldn’t know it. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan to be the nation’s highest ranking lawyer, from the start Rex was forced to navigate political pressures from both the left and the right while seeking to maintain the integrity of the Solicitor General’s special relationship with the Supreme Court. Once shortlisted to be a Supreme Court Justice nominee during his tenure as Asst Attorney General for the Ford administration, Rex’s four years as Solicitor General likely caused him to forfeit any chance at an appointment to the bench.
Crossroads Mali (working title)
Documentary in Three Parts
In Partnership with Ouelessebougou Alliance
With war raging in the north, life in southern Mali remains stable and relatively good. Follow one family as they struggle to survive and prosper in the shadow of war, climate change and unpredictable economic conditions.
Recent Works
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Feature Documentary
Broadcaster: TV Brasil
Distributor: Journeyman TV
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Feature Documentary
Broadcaster: Neta Public Television
Produced for: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Arts of the Monsoon additional materials on YouTube
Arts of the Monsoon examines the complex cultural relationship between the people of East Africa and Oman. For centuries, dhows sailed the waters between Oman and East Africa courtesy of the prevailing monsoon winds. African influence is striking in the coastal cities of Oman such as Sur and Salalah. Omanis of African decent have a significant influence on Omani art and culture. Likewise, Oman’s continuing influence is felt strongly along the East African Coast. This is a journey of many voices coming together to share their intimate stories of connections not readily known. These universal portrayals make up the Arts of the Monsoon for future generations.
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Unfortunate Brothers
Feature Documentary
Broadcaster: ORF/DOCS, HDnet World Report
Distributor: Journeyman TV
Unfortunate Brothers on Facebook
Unfortunate Brothers on YouTube
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About
Combat Films & Research is a production company that has shot and produced international stories. We have expanded to also shoot everything between commercial, corporate and educational.
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