Survival: 49

In Open Water (2003), an American survival horror thriller film, an American couple’s vacation takes a dangerous turn when they are unintentionally left behind in shark-infested waters by the crew of their boat. Daniel Kintner and Susan Watkins struggle with limited quality time due to their busy schedules, leading them to plan a scuba-diving trip to strengthen their relationship. Despite being part of a group dive on the second day, they decide to split off briefly. But when the head count is taken and recorded as 20 passengers, the dive master mistakenly believes that everyone is back on board and departs from the site. Unfortunately, Daniel and Susan remain ...

Gerry (2002) is an American drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, with stars and co-writers Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. The characters embark on a hike at a marked location called ‘Wilderness Trail’. Along the way, they encounter other passing hikers. In order to avoid any interruptions, they choose to venture off the trail. After some walking, conversation and even an impromptu foot race, they decide to turn back. However, it doesn’t take long for them to realize that they are completely ...

Cast Away (2000), an American survival drama film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis, follows the story of Chuck Noland. Chuck is a FedEx systems analyst who travels the world fixing productivity issues. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his girlfriend, Kelly Frears. The couple discusses marriage but their plans are repeatedly interrupted due to Chuck’s work demands. This begins to strain their relationship. During a Christmas dinner, Chuck receives an urgent call to resolve a problem in Malaysia. Before leaving, Kelly gives him her grandfather’s pocket watch containing a photo of her and he gives ...

The American survival thriller film, The Edge (1997), was written by David Mamet and directed by Lee Tamahori. Billionaire Charles Morse, photographer Robert ‘Bob’ Green, and Bob’s assistant Stephen are joined by Charles’s wife Mickey, a model, and a team of photographers at a remote Alaskan resort. Upon arrival, they are warned by Styles, the lodge proprietor, to be cautious with food as it may attract bears. During a surprise birthday celebration for Charles, he receives a watch from Mickey while Bob gifts him a pocket knife. As they continue ...

Cliffhanger (1993), an American action thriller film, directed and co-produced by Renny Harlin and co-written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. Rangers Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Walker and his girlfriend Jessie Deighan are sent on a mission to rescue their friend Hal Tucker and his girlfriend, Sarah. Due to an injury, Hal is unable to continue the climb in the Colorado Rockies, leaving them stranded on a peak. As they attempt to save Sarah, her harness breaks, forcing Gabe to try to catch her. Despite his best efforts, Sarah tragically falls to her death. Overwhelmed ...

Alive (1993) is a biographical survival drama based on Piers Paul Read’s book, Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. As Carlitos Páez surveys a series of photographs featuring the Old Christians Rugby Team from Stella Maris College, he recalls the events of the fateful day in a brief monologue. On October 13, 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 flies over the Andes as the raucous rugby players and their loved ones eagerly anticipate an upcoming match in Chile. However, their excitement is abruptly cut short as the plane hits turbulence and collides with a mountain, causing its wings and tail to detach ...

The Bear (1988), a French adventure family film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and released by TriStar Pictures, is adapted from the novel The Grizzly King (1916) by American author James Oliver Curwood. Set in the mountainous wilds of British Columbia in 1885, it tells the story of a mother grizzly bear and her cub who are searching for honey when tragedy strikes. The mother is crushed to death by a rockslide, leaving the cub to fend for himself. Meanwhile, a male Kodiak bear also roams the mountains in search of food and a mate, unknowingly being stalked by ...

The Eiger Sanction (1975), an American action film, features both Clint Eastwood as director and leading actor. Adapted from the 1972 novel of the same name by Trevanian, it follows the story of Jonathan Hemlock – an art professor and skilled mountaineer who also happens to be a retired government assassin. Despite having left his previous profession behind, he is suddenly called back for two more ‘sanctions’ – or officially sanctioned killings. Throughout his time with the secretive government agency known as ‘C2’, Hemlock had amassed ...

The Norwegian documentary Kon-Tiki (1950) follows the journey of Thor Heyerdahl and his team of Scandinavian scientists as they embark on a 101-day expedition from South America to the Polynesian Islands. Their mission was to support Heyerdahl’s belief that the islands were populated from the east (Peru) rather than the west (Asia), which had been commonly accepted for centuries. To prepare for their voyage, Heyerdahl studied Pacific winds and tides and replicated conditions similar to those encountered by Peruvian travelers. They named their wooden raft ‘Kon-Tiki’ and set sail for their destination. ...