Independent Lens Season 10 Episode 23 Stranded: The Andes Plane Crash Survivors

On October 13, 1972, a Fairchild FH-227D passenger plane carrying members of a Uruguayan rugby team and their friends and family crashed into the Andes Mountains, leaving 29 of the original 45 passengers alive and stranded in a barren, freezing landscape. In the new episode of Independent Lens, titled Stranded: The Andes Plane Crash Survivors, viewers will learn about the harrowing experiences of the survivors, who were forced to make incredible sacrifices in their fight for survival.

Through testimonials from the survivors, archival footage, and recreations, Stranded documents the 72-day ordeal that the crash victims endured. After the initial crash, the passengers waited to be rescued, but as days passed without any sign of help, they began to realize that they were on their own. With limited supplies and no means of communication, the survivors had to improvise and adapt to the unforgiving conditions of the Andes.

One of the key moments of the survivors' ordeal took place when they realized that they would have to resort to cannibalism in order to stay alive. This decision reverberated through the group and raised moral and ethical questions about survival and the value of human life. Viewers will hear directly from the survivors as they recount the events leading up to this moment, as well as the emotional toll that it took on all of them.

Stranded also explores the complex relationships that developed between the survivors during their time in the Andes. From the beginning, the group struggled to find a way to coexist and survive together, and as time went on, tensions rose and personalities clashed. The documentary highlights some of the most significant moments of conflict and cooperation, offering a nuanced and powerful portrayal of human behavior under extreme stress.

Throughout Stranded, viewers will be deeply moved by the incredible story of these survivors and the ingenuity, courage, and resilience they demonstrated in their fight for survival. At its core, the documentary explores the human spirit in moments of crisis and asks powerful questions about what it means to be alive, and what we are willing to do to survive. This is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in human psychology, survivalism, and the power of the human will to overcome incredible challenges.