BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA – The story of the survivors of Flight 571, also known as the “Miracle of the Andes,” has been the subject of several film adaptations. One of the earliest versions is the 1976 film “Survive!”, directed by Rene Cardona. Hollywood also took on the story in 1993 with the production of “Alive”. Now, a new film called “Society of the Snow” joins the ranks in telling this harrowing tale. This raises the question: how does “Society of the Snow” compare to “Alive,” and is one better than the other?
Both “Alive” and “Society of the Snow” stay true to the actual events of Flight 571, with some minor differences in their narrative approaches. “Alive” opens and closes with a framing device, with an older version of survivor Carlitos Páez offering a few words at the beginning and end of the film. On the other hand, “Society of the Snow” uses a more poetic framing device, narrated by a character who dies two-thirds through the film.
The major events of the story— the crash, the mission to find the plane’s tail section, the decision to eat the dead, and the final trek by the survivors— occur in both films in a similar sequence. However, the films differ in their portrayal of the story. “Alive” provides a Hollywood-style adventure, while “Society of the Snow” takes a grittier, more survival-focused approach.
Frank Marshall, director of “Alive,” is known primarily as a film producer, and while his direction in the film is competent, it lacks a distinct artistic flair. On the other hand, “Society of the Snow” presents a different perspective on the events, emphasizing the spiritual component through a character’s ghostly sacrifice.
In summary, both “Alive” and “Society of the Snow” depict the miraculous survival of the Flight 571 passengers, but they do so with different narrative choices. Each film offers a unique interpretation of the harrowing events, leaving it to the audience to decide which approach they prefer.