See it at the Movies

THE 33

By Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 11/18/15

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(Dramatic look at Chilean mine disaster)

There have been a number of movies lately about historic events that happened many years ago. The incredible story of the 33 miners trapped for …

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See it at the Movies

THE 33

Posted

* * * *

(Dramatic look at Chilean mine disaster)

There have been a number of movies lately about historic events that happened many years ago. The incredible story of the 33 miners trapped for 69 days happened a little over five years ago and is still fairly fresh in our minds.

That’s the bad news. We remember the outcome, thus removing some of the tension.

The good news is that we get to witness not only the plight of the trapped miners, but what was going on above ground to first reach them and then save them. It is an absolutely incredible story, told with passion, emotion and tension, with a bit of Hollywood thrown in.

The audience gets to feel what it is like to be trapped underground beyond reach, with only a few days worth of food and little hope for survival. We breathe a sigh of relief when rescuers reach them, but then are stressed out again while the best minds in the world try to figure out how to get them out.

Scenes shift from the trapped miners to the rescuers, the families that set up camp on the site, the press covering every moment, and the government officials arguing over what to do.

Antonio Banderas is great as the average guy suddenly thrust into leadership, working to keep 33 men alive and sane, when the future looks very grim. We have a cross-section of men: the expectant father; the sole Bolivian; the old man two weeks from retirement; the unstable one; and the safety inspector (Lou Diamond Phillips) who has given up all hope for survival.

The Chilean miners and their families are very religious people, and their faith plays a big part in keeping them alive and hopeful. One emotional scene, which they perceive as their “Last Supper,” will bring tears to your eyes.

As hope for an unprecedented rescue approaches, we see actual footage of TV coverage from all over the world, bringing the story to its completion.

It is amazing how quickly we forget about dramatic historic events. “The 33” brings it all back. And during the credits we are reminded that the 33 received no compensation for their ordeal.

Rated PG-13, with some profanity.

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