The story of the survivors of the 1972 air crash in the Andes where survivors eked out their existence waiting for rescue by resorting to cannibalism. Because we know how the story ends, the tension is in seeing just what the survivors had to do to save their lives.

This would be a fairly static film - it could almost work as a stage play - were it not for the first ten minutes. This is the most graphic depiction of an air crash you are ever likely to see; it is chilling me as I write this, just thinking about it. Of course, this then makes for a very lop-sided film as the exciting bit comes right at the beginning. So it is important to look at the story as a whole as an examination of the determination of the human spirit to survive, if necessary at all costs. ( )