Some movies have depicted the harshness and tenacity of survival better than others, although they all seem to stir something deep down in our souls. We watch and wonder how these incredible people could have survived such insurmountable circumstances, and we are warmed when they actually do.
Most people who survive a plane crash, being lost in the Arctic or treacherous wilderness, are usually changed for life. Things happen to them that usually make them more aware of life, and most go on to do extraordinary things with the rest of their life, as if it is a gift.
Fortunately those of us who haven’t had the experience, can live through it on film or in books, and gain a better understanding of the sanctity of life and how important it is to live each day to its fullest.
Some of these films that really hit home for a lot of us are listed here:
Castaway:
This film, although the bulk of it was focused on only one character, Tom Hanks, was fictional, but it was so moving it is worth mentioning.
Hanks starred as Chuck Noland who is a top executive for Fed Ex, and blatantly obsessed with time management. He takes a flight to Malaysia to solve a company problem when the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean.
Although Chuck is the only survivor, and the scenes are sometimes far fetched, its message is life changing. Over 4 years on an island alone should make anyone lose their minds, but Chuck (Hanks) pulls it off by creating a ‘fictional’ friend “Wilson” a basket ball stained with his bloody hand – that somehow kept him company and allowed him his sanity until he could be rescued, or get off the island.
Chuck’s return to society as a changed man is evident and his survival techniques are not to be missed.
The film was extremely successful making over $400 million at the box office.
The Edge:
This movie was unexpectedly great, even with the promise of the great Sir Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin starring. Hopkins as billionaire Charles Morse and Baldwin as top fashion photographer Robert Green.
This was not just another plane crash film, leaving its members stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, but with an impressive slant – a man hungry grizzly bear stocks them relentlessly – and greatly impedes their efforts to get back to civilization.
Now you would think that would lend plenty of excitement to this film, but the love triangle that exists between Charles’ wife Mickey and Robert gives a pretty exciting twist to the already thrilling story.
The scenery is amazing, the snow and rugged mountains give it a feel of isolated harshness, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Into the Wild:
A lot of us have thought, at some point, how incredible it would be to ‘escape’ from society and live off the land in a remote and beautiful part of the world.
Into the Wild is the true-life story of Christopher McCandless, portrayed by Emile Hirsch, and his desire to wander aimlessly after graduating from college, donating all of his money to charity and heading to Alaska.
On the way he meets some pretty life changing characters that inspire, educate and guide him – and when he gets to the Alaska wilderness, he finds that life isn’t quite as romantic as he envisioned. It’s actually very difficult living and surviving.
He is continually seeking spiritual and intelligent sustenance, which keeps the story interesting, and the result of this journey will surprise you.
The Endurance:
This is a film based on the true-life events of the ship, “The Endurance” and the survival of its crew, including the famous explorer of the early 1900’s, Sir Ernest Shackleton.
On an expedition to the Antarctic, after being the first man nearly cross the Antarctic continent in a ship, wanted to claim the title of ‘first man to cross the entire continent on foot’. It was an expedition that caused a lot of pain, death and exposure to the most extreme conditions known to man.
The ship became trapped in ice, leaving the captain and crew for 5 months trying to survive in the bowels of the ship, and eventually after the ship was destroyed by the ice, moved onto the ice floes to try to survive for another 5 months. The saving grace was an extraordinary trip in an open boat, 800 miles to rescue.
This story is legendary and the American Museum of Natural History has created an exhibition for one of the ‘greatest tales of survival in expedition history’.
The Snow Walker:
This is another true story based on a short story “Walk Well, My Brother,” by Farley Mowat. A bush pilot, Charlie Halliday, played by Barry Pepper, is on a routine flight when he is stopped by some native Inuit people asking for help in taking one of their own to the hospital.
Reluctantly he does, but on the flight to Yellowknife, the engine fails and they crash in the Canadian wilderness.
Low on supplies, no radio and a sick woman, Charlie takes off on foot to look for food, but finds this territory unforgiving, sustains some serious injuries and returns to find the woman has found food, has a fire going and is very much at home in this harsh territory.
The story is very inspiring, focusing on the native gifts of survival, and the art of communication even though each speaks a completely different language. The bonds that are shared are touching and the lessons learned are worth seeing.
Although there are literally hundreds of survival films available to watch, the ones listed above are exceptional.
