Supervivientes de los Andes

Rating:
Summary: SURVIVE! comes to DVD
Review: The print on the new DVD of "SURVIVE - Supervivientes de los Andes" is the original uncut version of the film. The case indicates the running time as 103 minutes, but the film actually clocks in closer to 112 minutes(!). That's almost 1/2 hour longer than the original dubbed US version. I noticed several extra bits without doing a side-by-side - I think the initial skinning scene is slightly longer, there's another quick shot of a different body being skinned later on as well as some nasty business with an infected leg, and some of the trekking scenes and segments with the parents seem extended. This is all from memory, however - a researched breakdown of all the differences would definitely be a worthwhile undertaking. I was also surprised at how well the film actually holds up (especially in this original-language version) - definitely not as 'exploitative' as the American print always felt. Unfortunately, the low-budget still mars the crash scene as well as all the studio-shot scenes outside of the wrecked plane (can that snow be any more fake?), but the scenes shot on location are quite good as is the editing, music, and acting.
The print used on the DVD doesn't appear to have been 'remastered' in any way, but it looks decent enough. There are some lines here and there and some other flaws, but nothing really distracting. It's presented full-frame only and the english subtitles are burned-in. The DVD has the original spanish-trailer for the film, which does not shy away from indicating that it's about cannibalism, as well as two other trailers for other Urban Vision latin films.

Definitely a worthy purchase for fans of the film. It would still be great to get the modified American version some day, as well.

Rating:
Summary: SURVIVE! comes to DVD
Review: The print on the new DVD of "SURVIVE - Supervivientes de los Andes" is the original uncut version of the film. The case indicates the running time as 103 minutes, but the film actually clocks in closer to 112 minutes(!). That's almost 1/2 hour longer than the original dubbed US version. I noticed several extra bits without doing a side-by-side - I think the initial skinning scene is slightly longer, there's another quick shot of a different body being skinned later on as well as some nasty business with an infected leg, and some of the trekking scenes and segments with the parents seem extended. This is all from memory, however - a researched breakdown of all the differences would definitely be a worthwhile undertaking. I was also surprised at how well the film actually holds up (especially in this original-language version) - definitely not as 'exploitative' as the American print always felt. Unfortunately, the low-budget still mars the crash scene as well as all the studio-shot scenes outside of the wrecked plane (can that snow be any more fake?), but the scenes shot on location are quite good as is the editing, music, and acting.
The print used on the DVD doesn't appear to have been 'remastered' in any way, but it looks decent enough. There are some lines here and there and some other flaws, but nothing really distracting. It's presented full-frame only and the english subtitles are burned-in. The DVD has the original spanish-trailer for the film, which does not shy away from indicating that it's about cannibalism, as well as two other trailers for other Urban Vision latin films.

Definitely a worthy purchase for fans of the film. It would still be great to get the modified American version some day, as well.