MovieChat Forums > The 33 (2015) Discussion > Great film but I would have liked to hav...

Great film but I would have liked to have seen more of the faith aspect

posted 8 years ago by MovieMystro
13 replies | jump to latest

I really did enjoy this film, especially the third act.

However, I would have liked to have seen more of the faith based aspect of this film. Faith carried them through this ordeal and that aspect was seen in glimpses but not shown in any great depth or relevance. It was certainly touched upon but it’s almost as if the makers of the movie were afraid to go too far in that direction. Being caught in the middle and playing it too safe rarely results in exceptionalism.

“God was with us” was scrolled on the wall by them as they left. It would have been great to see more of why they thought that. We saw them praying and their families doing likewise but by choosing to keep that private and internalized within the characters the director missed a huge opportunity to flesh them out more. Everything seemed rather average and serviceable until the actual contact that was made with the miners. That’s when the movie jumped in to a higher gear and became much more enjoyable. There was very little character depth until the third act but how they closed the story really elevated this effort.

[–] robertus19-169-247619 8 years ago

Your comment makes sense. But just take in consideration some of the hate speeches people have given in this forum because it showed some of the faith aspect.

With that in mind, perhaps the faith aspect was toned down a bit in order to attract a larger audience. I agree with you, it's hard for a filmmaker to go into that direction without looking like a religious prun.

In my opinion, the use of faith was OK, especially with that beautiful depiction of the Virgen de la Candelaria procession.

[–] larosat 8 years ago

This is not a fantasy film. Faith is crap.

[–] HorrorFanatic24 8 years ago

Shut up troll

[–] SaliceMcD 8 years ago

I thought plenty of this was shown. To show more, such as their daily prayer session, might have undermined - no pun intended - the efforts of all those working to save them. They didn't need mining experts, they had God? OK, I won't go there; I'll no doubt just be told that God sent the experts.

Also not included were their preparations to eat the first to die, and plans to use the available carbon monoxide to end their suffering. As this would be contradictory, showing their *loss* of faith, I think that in the end their faith was more than "fairly" depicted.

[–] MovieMystro 8 years ago

I still must own this on DVD.

[–] DeepFriedJello 8 years ago

Underground they wouldn't be able to stare into the sun and see the virgin, but they may have seen blood dripping from the walls.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mtrusello 8 years ago

According to the book titled "The 33" (factual, not written for, nor the base of, the movie), Mario Sepulveda had a religious premonition of their eventual rescue while he was seeking an escape route in a chimney.

[–] mtrusello 8 years ago

Also: I haven't seen the movie, but in real life, many of the miners wore a specially requested T-shirt over their jumpsuits, created for and sent to them via the Paloma: on the front, along with a logo of the Chilean flag, were the words "Gracias, Senior!" ("Thank You, Lord!"); on the back, a quote from Scriptures which begins, "In His hands are the depths of the Earth". Also: two miners who were atheists converted to Christianity while in the mine, and were later baptized in the River Jordan with the others during their visit to Israel at Christmas 2012. One of the converts also baptized his son, who was born during his captivity; the little boy, whom he held in his arms, was proudly wrapped in a Chilean flag - a lovely picture! :)

[–] johnsonium 8 years ago

two miners who were atheists converted to Christianity while in the mine

That's quite an endorsement. It takes trauma to make someone embrace fairy tales.

[–] colhiffus 8 years ago

I agree but alot of so called tolerant and open minded people get uncomfortable watching people of faith.

[–] johnsonium 8 years ago

It wasn't faith that saved them. It was man, science and determination.