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Alive: The Miracle of the Andes is a 1993 film by director Frank Marshall, based upon Piers Paul Read's acclaimed 1974 book, The Story of the Andes Survivors (which itself was based upon interviews with survivors of the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 on October 13, 1972).
It stars Ethan Hawke as Nando Parrado and is narrated by John Malkovich.
Story
- See main article: The crash and rescue
The film tells the story of the Uruguayan Rugby team (who were alumni of Stella Maris College (Montevideo)) and their friends and family who were invovled in the airplane crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 which crashed into the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972.
Criticism and reviews
The film received mixed reviews. Some, such as David Noh, panned the film. Noh described it as, "Hungry Valley boys in the Andes." He further stated that, "few of them are actually Spanish; the incongruous Wasp-y casting taxes credibility when you hear actors like Ethan Hawke or Bruce Ramsay referred to by names like Nando and Carlitos." David Ansen, concurs, noting that while, "Piers Paul Read's acclaimed 1974 book...paid special attention to the social structure that evolved among the group...Marshall...downplays the fascinating sociological details-and the ambiguities of character-in favor of action, heroism and a vague religiosity that's sprinkled over the story like powdered sugar."
Others, such as Ray Green, praised the tactful nature of the film stating that, "despite the potential for lurid sensationalism, Marshall manages to keep his and the film's dignity by steering an effectively downbeat course through some grim goings on thanks in no small manner to the almost allegorical ring of Shanley's stylized dialogue." Green continues by describing the film as, "thrilling and engrossing as it is at times, 'Alive' is more than an action film- in its own way it is also a drama of ideas, and of the human spirit as well."
Documentary
A companion documentary, 20 Years Later, was released at the same time as the film. It includes interviews with the survivors, as well as documentary footage of the rescue. The 30th Edition of Alive: The Miracle of the Andes (on DVD) includes this documentary in the Extras section.
References
- Ansen, David. "Alive." Newsweek (January 18, 1993), 59.
- Green, Ray. "Alive." Box Office (March 1993).
- Noh, David. "Alive." Film Journal (Jan/Feb 1993), 34.
See also
External links
1993 films | Films directed by Frank Marshall | Films based on non-fiction books | Films based on actual events | Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 | Touchstone Pictures films | Paramount films
Überleben (Film) | Les Survivants (film) | Живые (фильм) | Alive (film)
"Alive: The Miracle of the Andes"