The Netflix original film “Society of the Snow” tells the survivalist account of the 1972 plane disaster involving a rugby team from Uruguay and reveals a terrifying truth. The real horror, in the words of survivor Roberto Canessa, was not the cannibalism itself, but rather the avalanche that buried him alive for a torturous five or six minutes. “Those who view this story from the outside perceive that eating our deceased friends was the worst part,” he remarked. However, the avalanche was the worst aspect.

Building the Society of Snow

A group of university students and 19-year-old rugby players built an improvised civilization to survive in subzero temperatures and famine. Director J.A. Bayona wanted the survivors’ inventiveness in repurposing the parts of the downed plane and turning it into a shelter to be highlighted in the close-quarters interviews.

“Society of the Snow” reveals the hilarious turn of events as survivors first choose not to eat the dead, only to discover later that they were unintentionally eating their own bodies. Director Bayona pointed out that the representation of black urine represents the body using its organs—not fat—to survive. This plot twist deepens the picture by illuminating the contradictory decisions made by survivors in their last-ditch attempt to survive in the harsh Andes. Do you let your body decide what to eat to survive, or do you make the choice yourself?

The Miraculous Journey of Survivors

The true tale of Uruguayan Flight 571 involves tragedy, fortitude, and resiliency. The survivors of the plane crash near El Sosneado mountain had to endure harsh weather, including avalanches, blizzards, and starvation. In addition, the group lacked sufficient food, heat, and medical supplies. They did ultimately have to turn to eating the dead passengers in order to survive.

The harsh fact that there was nothing else they could have done to survive led to the terrible decision. Some of the gang were able to hold out longer than others as they clung to the prospect of rescue while they suffered and struggled while they waited to die.3. But after the official search was canceled, the survivors realized they had to take control of their own destiny.

However, an avalanche that buried the plane after eighteen days presented a fresh hurdle, taking eight more lives and strengthening the resolve of the surviving soul to seek rescue. in order to endure. With no prior climbing knowledge and no gear, “The Society of Snow” set out to locate civilization.

Rescue and Reflections

The group embarked on a daunting mission: to scale a mountain and find help. Their journey, full with challenges and altitude sickness, eventually fell to the wayside of their determination to escape. Eventually, they were able to get a rescue to the remaining survivors 72 days after the crash.

A mix of reactions came from the world after being rescued. While the survivors defended their actions, stating the need to survive outweighed the actions taken, they also bore the burden of guilt and irreversible consequences. In his memoir, survivor Canessa expressed, “For us, taking this leap was a final break, and the consequences were irreversible: We were never the same.”

The story of Uruguayan Flight 571, famously known as the “Miracle of the Andes,” is one of the indomitable human spirit and the extraordinary lengths one will go to survive against insurmountable odds. The survivors could rewrite their narrative and save themselves but at a cost. These men turned a potential tragedy into a triumphant tale of resilience over adversity but were also forever changed.

The physical and emotional scars of their trip will serve as a constant reminder of what took place on that mountain. The Netflix movie “Society of the Snow” immortalizes their journey and sheds light on complex choices, sacrifices, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.