The Tragedy Unfolds

"Society of the Snow" begins with an opening monologue that sets the stage for the events of late 1972, described as both a tragedy and a miracle. On October 13th, Flight 571 departed from Monte Vio, Uruguay, en route to Santiago, Chile. What was supposed to be a routine 90-minute flight turned into a 72-day ordeal that tested the limits of human endurance.

Blame and Consequences

Blame for the crash initially fell on the co-pilot's shoulders, as the pilot in command was training him on the route. However, when the co-pilot misread the instruments, the pilot failed to take over. The consequences were dire. The plane collided with a mountain ridge, tearing it in half and leaving 45 people stranded on a snowcapped mountain.

Survival Struggles

In the Society of the Snow, the survivors' struggle for survival is vividly depicted. Facing extreme weather conditions, with temperatures dropping to -22 degrees Fahrenheit at night, the passengers resorted to eating anything they could find, including leather straps and cotton seat filling. With no survival training, their chances seemed bleak.

The Morally Complex Decision

As days turned into weeks, and the search efforts were called off, the survivors faced a moral dilemma. With dwindling food supplies and no rescue in sight, they made the notorious decision to use the bodies of the deceased for sustenance. This unthinkable choice, depicted in the movie, became a matter of life and death.

Avalanche Horror

The survivors' struggles intensified on October 29th when an avalanche struck, burying them in snow. Roberto Canessa, one of the two medical students on board, later revealed that the avalanche was more horrific than the decision about the food supply. Eight more people lost their lives during the four-day ordeal, trapped in the fuselage during a blizzard.

The Grueling Journey to Freedom

With the weather easing up, the survivors, led by Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, began putting together a plan to escape. Their journey was fraught with challenges, including failed attempts to descend the mountain and the grim discovery of more food and more deaths. The final, successful expedition started on December 12th, almost two months after the crash.

The Miraculous Escape

After a grueling 10-day trek, Parrado and Canessa finally escaped the snow-covered mountains, finding themselves in the Chilean countryside. They sought help and, eventually, 16 survivors were rescued, spending a total of 72 days in nightmarish conditions.