Alive: The 30th Anniversary Edition

Based on Piers Paul Read's harrowing account of the same name, director Frank Marshall's (Arachnophobia) Alive recounts the amazing story of the South American rugby team whose plane crashed into the Andes Mountains in 1972. Fighting against sub-zero temperatures and a meager food supply--with no rescue in sight--the survivors eventually chose cannibalism over starvation before a few intrepid members made the trek to civilization and got help. Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton, and Illeana Douglas are among the generally credible cast in this action epic featuring an opening crash sequence--wings sheared off, passengers sucked out, fuselage skating endlessly--that is simply one of the most realistic ever filmed. After that heady beginning, the pace slackens, but, for the most part, sustains interest despite a slightly overlong running time. Extras include an hour-long documentary, “Alive: 20 Years Later,” narrated by Martin Sheen, with both making-of footage and interviews with survivors who discuss their experiences. In the brief featurette “Return to Andes,” some survivors revisit the crash site for expiation and a tribute to their former teammates. Somewhat confusingly named (the 30th anniversary refers to the plane crash, not the film, which was made in 1993), this is a solid DVD offering with fine extras, Recommended. (T. Rich)