The 33
starring Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne
screenplay and Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten and Michael Thomas
directed by Patricia Riggen
Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊
Based on the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar.
When 33 miners are buried alive following the collapse of a Chilean gold and copper mine, an international team tries to rescue them over the next 69 days. It’s based on the true story that happened in 2010 that gripped the entire world and had us all on the edge of our seats. I remember it. 33 miners were trapped 700 meters underground from August 5-October 13. Early estimates imagined they would not be rescued until around Christmas. Like a miracle, they all survived and were rescued. Rescuers frantically drilled shafts to locate the men. They discovered them alive in a shelter designed to be used in collapse scenarios. The shafts were expanded so that food, water and medicine could be delivered to them. Problems ensued, then were overcome. The men were raised to the surface one-by-one in a specially-designed capsule painted red, white and blue - the colours of the Chilean flag.
The men were all briefly world famous, but no financial reward came of it except a $500/month government pension.