Alive (1993)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Better Late Then Never

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

A good survival film that's not as harrowing as a more exploitative film would have been. It's an interesting approach in that it cares less about the suffering of the people and more about the humanity and beauty found in the situation. In that way it can also be corny and by underselling the more painful moments it leads to less uplift later.The opening plane crash scene is still something to behold. All the interiors seemed to me to be practical effects and they looked great (exteriors were a CGI plane). I'm sure there are some who will say it hasn't aged well but that's only because what they're seeing isn't over- edited or shiny and everything is tangible and comprehensible which might be confusing, I guess, to some.

Piers Paul Read wrote a book about survival entitled Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors that was adapted into film known simply as "Alive". It stars Ethan Hawke,Vincent Spano and Josh Hamilton.It tells the story of the Uruguayan Rugby National Team that were involved on a plan crash into the Andes mountains back in 1972. The screenplay provides us how the members of the team struggled to survive into the different horrendous conditions they have to face which included cannibalism or eating human flesh of those who have died which the film was controversially known for and being spoofed at by comedy shows.Personally,I think that the determination of the Uruguayans to stay alive is what made this film remain memorable to this day although the cannibalism involved in it would always be at discussion.Aside from that,the Catholic Marian prayers that these survivors recited to show their faith would also made Catholics all over the world proud.This shows how much dependable the Blessed Virgin Mary has been in aiding them during their 12-day journey to survive in the Andes mountains.Overall,it was one film that would provide inspiration to millions of people around the world.

I am approximately the same age as these men. I remember when this happened in 1972 thinking how awful it all was UNTIL I read the book and saw this film!! These were privileged yuppie kids with attitude who were on a winter jaunt while the rest of us were toiling at our 3 jobs to put ourselves through college! The great thing about the film is it doesn't smooth over their idiocy. Everyone in it is selfish. Everyone is egotistical. The pleasure is in watching them one by one bite it! So, if you like movies where horrible teenagers get torn apart by monsters (Jaws, Halloween, House) you'll enjoy this film! I can't think of a better group of selfish individuals to have something like this happen to!! Too bad any survived.

This is the true story of a plane crash in the Andes and tells of the fate of the survivors.From the outset this film never fails to hold the attention. The plane crash is remarkably filmed and genuinely disturbing. The rest of the film concentrates on how the survivors cope with their predicament.The film successfully captures the fear felt by the survivors and the sense of dread that they would die on the mountain. The acting is pitch perfect and realistic. Although the film covers disturbing material it is dealt with sensitively and there a moments of humour throughout to lighten the mood a touch.In conclusion this is a wonderfully filmed and enjoyable film and comes highly recommended.