Alive Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rugby team’s flight gets unexpectedly detoured into a crash diet, where the only menu option is each other, leading to a very… intimate team-building exercise.

🍿 Alive: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Fateful Flight

In 1972, the Old Christians Club, an amateur rugby team from Uruguay, charters a flight to Santiago, Chile, for a match. Accompanied by family and friends, the flight encounters severe turbulence while traversing the Andes Mountains. The plane crashes violently, splitting apart and leaving the survivors stranded in a desolate, snow-covered landscape.

Survival in the Andes

The initial crash claims several lives, leaving the remaining passengers injured and terrified. They face extreme conditions: sub-zero temperatures, lack of food and water, and the daunting reality of their isolation. Leadership emerges within the group as they ration meager supplies and attempt to tend to the wounded, clinging to hope for rescue. The survivors initially rely on the dwindling supply of snacks and wine found in the luggage. They melt snow for water and use the plane’s seats for makeshift blankets.

The Unthinkable Decision

As days turn into weeks, and with rescue seemingly impossible, the survivors face starvation. In desperation, and after much moral conflict, they make the agonizing decision to consume the bodies of those who perished in the crash. This act of cannibalism becomes a last resort for survival, a stark testament to their will to live. This decision causes intense emotional and spiritual conflict among the survivors, testing their faith and values.

Avalanche and Despair

Adding to their suffering, an avalanche strikes the wreckage, burying the survivors and claiming more lives. The remaining group endures further hardship and loss, testing their resolve and pushing them to the brink of despair. The incident forces them to confront the futility of their situation and the slim chances of rescue.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nando Parrado (Ethan Hawke): Determined and grief-stricken after losing his mother and sister, Nando becomes a driving force for survival, leading a trek across the Andes for help.
• Roberto Canessa (Josh Hamilton): A pragmatic medical student, Roberto initially resists the idea of cannibalism but eventually accepts it as necessary for survival and joins Nando on the trek.
• Antonio Balbi (Vincent Spano): As the team captain, Antonio struggles to maintain order and hope among the survivors, eventually succumbing to the harsh conditions.
• Carlitos Páez (Bruce Ramsay): A devoutly religious survivor, Carlitos provides a narrative framing to the story, reflecting on the events with heroism, gravity, and faith.
• Antonio ‘Tintín’ Vizintín (John Newton): He aids Nando and Roberto in locating the tail of the plane, and initially joins them on their trek.
• Gustavo Zerbino (David Kriegel): A medical student who, along with Roberto, tends to the injured and helps make the difficult decision regarding cannibalism.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nando: “Between these mountains somewhere there’s a green valley.” – Nando expresses his unwavering hope and determination to find a way out of the Andes, envisioning a path to survival.
• Nando: “If I die, you can eat me.” – Nando makes this pact with his friends, highlighting the extreme measures they are willing to consider to survive.
• Roberto Canessa: “We’re not going to die here.” – Said with grit when Canessa decides to walk out of the mountains.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $32,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,733,909
• Worldwide Gross: $36,733,909

💥 Alive Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Alive’ for the first time and being absolutely gripped. The plane crash scene was terrifying! Knowing it was a true story made it even more intense. While I felt sympathy for all of them, Nando’s journey, and the strength he found after losing so much, really got to me. It’s a movie that makes you think about what you’re capable of, and how far you’d go to survive. A very raw film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in true survival stories”
  • “Fans of disaster films”
  • “Those who appreciate stories about the resilience of the human spirit”
  • “People who enjoy films that raise ethical questions”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of a plane crash”
  • “Scenes of cannibalism”
  • “Intense and disturbing content”
  • “Death and injury”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “Alive doesn’t flinch from the harsh realities of survival, but it also manages to find moments of humanity amidst the despair. The film’s strongest asset is its commitment to portraying the survivors as complex individuals, not just victims of circumstance.
• The New York Times: “While the premise is inherently sensational, Alive avoids exploitation by focusing on the characters’ resilience and the moral dilemmas they face. The film is visually striking, capturing the stark beauty and unforgiving nature of the Andes.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “Alive is a powerful, disturbing, and ultimately uplifting film about the will to survive against all odds. It’s a tough watch, but one that stays with you long after the credits roll. I just wish the movie showed the dramatic search

Audience Reactions

Viewers were moved by the depiction of human resilience in face of impossible odds.: The film captures the emotional and physical struggles of the survivors effectively.

Many were struck by the realism and the difficult ethical choices the characters faced.: The cannibalism is not glorified but shown as a last resort.

Overall Consensus: A harrowing and thought-provoking survival drama based on a true story, ‘Alive’ explores the limits of human endurance and the complex moral choices faced in extreme circumstances, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The real Nando Parrado served as a technical advisor on the film, ensuring accuracy in its portrayal of the events.”
• “The movie was filmed in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, chosen for their resemblance to the Andes.”
• “Several survivors of the actual crash visited the set during filming, providing emotional support and insights to the actors.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alive?

You can rent or buy ‘Alive’ on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu. Check local listings as it may also be available on demand through cable providers. Be sure to compare prices as they can vary between platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alive, you might like these similar films:

• The Grey (2011): Features a group of men stranded in a hostile, snowy wilderness, battling the elements and facing difficult survival choices.
• Touching the Void (2003): A documentary-style survival story about climbers facing extreme conditions and life-or-death decisions in the Andes.
• Society of the Snow (2023): A new adaptation of the same story, offering a fresh perspective with modern filmmaking techniques, emphasizing realism and emotional depth.

🛒 Alive Related Products

• Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors: The gripping, in-depth account by Piers Paul Read that inspired the movie, providing a more detailed and personal look at the survivors’ ordeal.
• LEGO Winter Holiday Train 10254 Building Kit: Christmas train set, 734 Pieces. Evoke the spirit of the Andes in winter with this meticulously crafted set.
• Survival Kit Emergency Gear, 42 in 1: Preparedness kit for outdoor adventures and emergencies. Be prepared for anything, just like the survivors of Flight 571
• Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot: Durable and waterproof hiking boots designed for rugged terrain, perfect for exploring challenging landscapes, and recreating the steps of the survivors who crossed the Andes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alive features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Look Of Love” – performed by Burt Bacharach & Hal David
• “Ave Maria” – performed by Franz Schubert
• “Main Title” – performed by James Newton Howard

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why You Wouldn’t Survive #ALIVE

Ever wondered if you’d make it through a zombie apocalypse like in ‘#ALIVE’? This video breaks down the movie’s survival tactics and tells you why you probably wouldn’t, but hey, at least you’ll learn a thing or two!

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