Movie Review - The 33 (2015) - Leslie In Little Rock

Photos from IMDb

Movie Description: Based on the real life event when a Chilean gold and copper mine collapses in 2010 and traps 33 miners underground for 69 days.

Release Date: Friday, November 13, 2015

Running Time: 2 hours and 7 minutes

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA): Rated PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language

Director: Patricia Riggen

Writers: Mikko Alanne (screenplay), Craig Borten (screenplay), Michael Thomas (screenplay), Jose Rivera (screen story), and Hector Tobar (book – “Deep Down Dark”)

Leslie’s Notes

While watching the live coverage of the Copiapo mining accident in the fall of 2010, it reminded me of watching the news coverage of Jessica McClure who was rescued from a well in 1987 at the age of 18 months old. Network news coverage continued live reports until she was rescued. Twenty three years later, it seems like the whole world was also watching the round-the-clock broadcasting of the Chilean government, along with the help of other countries, including American NASA Specialists, save the lives of 33 miners trapped more than 2,300 feet underground for 69 days.

The movie, The 33, begins a day before the accident occurs, by showing many of the miners and their families enjoying a celebration. The viewer is able to meet many of the miners and see their families, which plays an important role later on in the movie.

Dates and times are then included in many of the scenes, revealing a time frame that follows the situation inside the mine from day one until all 33 miners are rescued, more than two months later.

I thought this was an excellent movie of a real event. The special effects are amazing and very realistic, including the initial mine collapse. You can see the panic and fear as the miners realize the risky condition they are in as hours turn into days and then weeks. I also liked how you can see the “outside world”, including the mining company, families, and Chilean Government react to the dangerous plight.

The casting and acting are superb and makes for an intense but also exciting movie of a historical drama.