Remembering the 29 Victims of the Andes Flight Disaster in Society of the Snow

The Scale of the Tragedy

The scale of the tragedy of J.A. Bayona's Society of the Snow is so immense, it can be hard to keep track of everyone who died during and after the 1972 Andes flight disaster. Throughout the movie, text appeared on-screen giving the names and ages of those who died. While they were left on screen for several seconds to let the weight of the deaths sink in, there were so many who died in the Andes that remembering all of them properly can be challenging.

Dante Lagurara (Maximiliano de la Cruz) in Society of the Snow.

Bayona paid extreme attention to the details of Uruguyan Air Force Flight 571, going as far as to actually film Society of the Snow on a mountaintop, just like the Andes where the plain crashed in real life. His attention to detail also extended to the real people who died on the mountain, as Society of the Snow includes the names of everyone on the flight. In total, 29 of the 45 passengers and crew died over the 72 days the survivors lived on the mountain before being rescued. Society of the Snow went to great lengths to remember everyone who died in the Andes.

Cockpit of the plane after the crash in Society of the Snow.

Remembering the Victims

The tragic events of the Andes flight disaster claimed the lives of 29 people, each with a unique story and a heartbreaking end. From Eugenia Dolgay de Parrado, who died during the plane's initial crash, to Marcelo Pérez Del Castillo, the leader of the Old Christian Club rugby team, the movie pays tribute to each victim with great attention to detail.

Eugenia Dolgay de Parrado (Giselle Douaret) in Society of the Snow.

Graziela Gumila de Mariani, one of the last passengers to die on the first day, was trapped underneath the wreckage of the seats. Dante Lagurara, the co-pilot of flight 571, misread the plane's position over the Andes and succumbed to his fatal wounds. These are just a few examples of the individuals whose lives were tragically cut short in the Andes flight disaster.

Graziela Gumila de Mariani (Tea Alberti) in Society of the Snow.

The movie and real-life accounts portray the pain and suffering of the victims, from the screams of the injured to the emotional moments as loved ones bid farewell. These stories serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of this devastating event.

The plane before crashing in Society of the Snow.

Honoring the Memories

The tragic fate of the 29 victims of the Andes flight disaster is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit. As we remember their stories, we honor their memories and the enduring impact they have left on those who survived. Society of the Snow has immortalized their lives, ensuring that they will never be forgotten.

Avalanche scene in Society of the Snow.

Their names and their stories will continue to be a testament to the strength and courage displayed during those harrowing 72 days on the mountain. Through the movie, their legacies live on, serving as a tribute to the indomitable human will to survive in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Two men embrace and cheer at the sky in Society of the Snow.