A new Netflix movie depicts the harrowing ordeal of a Uruguayan rugby team that crashed in the Andes mountains in 1972 and resorted to cannibalism to stay alive.
On October 13, 1972, a chartered plane carrying 45 passengers, mostly members of a Uruguayan rugby team and their friends and family, was flying over the Andes mountains when it encountered a severe storm. The pilot, who had miscalculated their position, tried to cross the mountains but crashed into a remote valley, killing 12 people on impact and five more in the aftermath. The remaining 28 survivors faced a bleak situation: they had no food, no medical supplies, no radio, and no way of contacting the outside world. They were also unaware that the search for them had been called off after eight days, as their white plane blended in with the snow and was invisible to the rescuers.
The Miracle of the Andes: How the Survivors Struggled to Stay Alive
The survivors soon realized that their only hope of staying alive was to eat the flesh of their dead comrades, who had been preserved by the freezing temperatures. This was a difficult decision for them, as most of them were devout Catholics and considered cannibalism a sin. However, they rationalized it as a form of communion, and a way of honoring their friends who had sacrificed their lives for them. They also prayed and asked for forgiveness before consuming the human meat.
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For more than two months, the survivors endured the harsh conditions of the Andes, facing avalanches, frostbite, infections, dehydration, and despair. They also made several attempts to find a way out of the valley but were thwarted by the rugged terrain and the lack of equipment. Finally, on December 12, two of the survivors, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, decided to make a desperate trek across the mountains, hoping to reach civilization. They had no map, no compass, and no proper clothing, but they had a strong will to live and faith in God. They walked for 10 days, covering about 70 kilometers, until they encountered a Chilean shepherd, who alerted the authorities. On December 22, a rescue helicopter arrived at the crash site and airlifted the first six survivors. The next day, the remaining eight were rescued, ending their 72-day nightmare.
Society of the Snow: The Netflix Movie That Tells Their Story
The story of the Andes plane crash survivors has been told in various books, documentaries, and movies, but the latest adaptation is a Netflix drama called Society of the Snow, directed by J.A. Bayona and starring Gael García Bernal as Parrado and Rodrigo Santoro as Canessa. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Piers Paul Read, who interviewed the survivors and their families in 1973. The movie aims to portray the ordeal of the survivors with realism and sensitivity, focusing on their psychological, moral, and spiritual struggles, as well as their courage and resilience. The movie also explores the themes of friendship, faith, survival, and the meaning of life.
Society of the Snow is a gripping and inspiring movie that shows the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is also a tribute to the 29 people who died in the crash, and to the 16 who survived and shared their story with the world. The movie is now streaming on Netflix and has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike
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SAM is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the field. His writing style is characterized by a focus on current events, in-depth research, and a commitment to journalistic integrity. In addition to writing, SAM is an avid traveler and enjoys exploring new cultures. He has visited over 20 countries and has used his experiences to inform his writing. When he’s not writing or traveling, SAM enjoys spending time with his family and playing tennis.