Alive

An American biographical survival drama film released in 1993 in the United States, directed by Frank Marshall, based on Piers Paul Read's book "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors," which recounts the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in October 1972. The film follows a group of Uruguayan rugby players from the Stella Maris College's Old Christians team whose chartered plane crashes in the snow-covered Andes en route to Chile. Out of 45 passengers, 29 perish, and the remaining survivors, including Nando Parrado (Ethan Hawke), Roberto Canessa (Josh Hamilton), Antonio Balbi (Vincent Spano), and Carlitos Páez (Bruce Ramsay), struggle to endure the harsh conditions. Facing starvation, freezing temperatures, avalanches, and moral dilemmas, they make the harrowing decision to resort to cannibalism to survive. After search efforts are abandoned, Nando and Roberto embark on a perilous journey across the mountains to seek help. Seventy-two days after the crash, 16 survivors are rescued. The film is noted for its realistic portrayal, emotional depth, and strong performances, particularly Ethan Hawke's. Filming took place in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, with survivor Nando Parrado serving as a technical advisor.