Review: The 33

The 2010 Copiapo mining accident in Chile, which trapped 33 miners underground and became a global news story during the subsequent rescue mission, provides the real-life inspiration for this deeply human drama directed by Patricia Riggen.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jan 2016, 07:08 BST

In San Jose, mining is a lucrative business but conditions below ground are hellish.

Shift foreman Luis Urzua (Lou Diamond Phillips) warns the company about his grave concerns, but they ignore his pleas about the state of the mine and dispatch Luis with his men including Mario Sepulveda (Antonio Banderas) and drill operator Dario Segovia (Juan Pablo Raba).

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Early into the shift, the mine collapses and 33 injured men seek refuge in a rescue chamber with limited food rations and perfunctory medical supplies.

The mining company fails to mount a rescue operation so Dario’s sister Maria (Juliette Binoche) and Mario’s wife Katy (Kate del Castillo) shame the beleaguered Minister of Mining, Laurence Golborne (Rodrigo Santoro), into action.

With the backing of President Pinera (Bob Gunton), Laurence brings in engineer Andre Sougarret (Gabriel Byrne) and American driller Jeff Hart (James Brolin) to mastermind a daring rescue.