Saturday 18 February 2012

Alaskan Film Review: Big Miracle


I don't normally do film reviews, but as soon as I heard that this film would be out during my week in Alaska I knew I had to see it and tell you all about it.

Firstly you must realise that this film is based on a true story. In 1988 three Californian Grey whales were found trapped in the Arctic. In order for whales to survive they need to be able to breathe, but that became increasingly difficult as the ice in Alaska began to freeze over, leaving only one small hole from them to breathe through. Their noses to soft to break the ice, it becomes a fight against time to keep them alive.

Drew Barrymore arrives on the scene in a heartfelt performance as Rachel, a highly active member of Greenpeace. The love she shows these whales brings the world to a standstill, where everyone waits anxiously to see if the whales can be saved.

The most amazing thing about this film was how Russia and America came together to help. 1988 was just beginning to see the thaw occurring in the Cold War between the two countries and it was unbelievable to watch as history began to change.

From the beginning of the film until the end, I sat there with a tissue in my hand. This film is extremely emotional and there will be times that you will cry. This cold harsh country, brought the world to its doorstep and human warmth and comradeship melted the ice to save the whales. When the going gets tough, the world can pull together to make things better.

What I still find so wonderful, is that this is a true story. At the end of the film, you see the footage of the real people, the actors played. A lot of the news footage used in the film, is from the original event. It just goes to show that sometimes real life is so much more beautiful than fiction. The event also brought about the real life marriage of a Colonel in the Alaskan National Guard and a White House aide who lived 7000 miles away. These beautiful whales brought two people together.

I was so pleased to discover that the film was filmed in Anchorage, Alaska, where the original event occurred.  I highly recommend everyone watches this film, which shows how we can all make a difference if we work together.

Miracles do happen, this film is the proof.

News Articles connected to the film and the true story.
http://www.adn.com/2010/06/11/1319289/hollywood-comes-to-alaska-to-shoot.html
http://www.adn.com/2010/06/11/1319420/whales-break-out-leave-trail-in.html
http://www.highnorth.no/Library/MediaWatch/fr-th-wh.htm
The book that inspired the film was originally called Freeing The Whales but has now been renamed Big Miracle.

6 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Take plenty of tissues. It is sadder than I thought it would be.

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  2. Awwww... This sounds fantastic. How nice that it's based on an inspirational true story.

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    Replies
    1. I think that is what attracted me to it. As well as the fact that it was set in Alaska!

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  3. I thought this movie might be good but I was afraid they gave the whole story away in the trailers.

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    ReplyDelete

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