Watch The Rescue (2021) online

As "The Rescue" (2021 release; 107 min.) opens, we are in "Mae Sai, Thailand, June, 2018". People are gathering at a cave where 12 teenage boys and their soccer coach are trapped inside the cave which has flooded due to massive monsoons. The Thai Navy SEALs are called in but quickly they realize they lack the cave diving skills that are needed. A British guy living in Thailand calls two seasoned cave divers in England, John and Rick, and enlists their help... At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this the latest documentary from Oscar-winning producers/directors (and wife and husband) Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, whose previous work includes the excellent "Meru" and "Free Solo", the latter one winning the Best Documentary Oscar in 2018. As soon as I saw their names attached to this project, I knew that this documentary almost certainly would be a winner. Many of you, as did I, will recall that in 2018 a group of teenage boys was rescued from a flooded cave, but do you know how and what was involved? Neither did I. This documentary gives a riveting behind the scenes account of what exactly transpired. Here is the true test of a good documentary: we know the final outcome, yet still I found myself transfixed at how it all played out. I also now realize hoe incredibly risky it all was, truly against all odds. The Thai authorities did what they could, but let's be real: if it wasn't for those 2 British guys and also an Australian (I won't go into the details), this rescue would have never happened. Talk about TRUE heroes! There is a nice instrumental from composer Daniel Pemberton. Please note: in the the movie's end credits, I read that "some scenes were reenacted by the actual participants". I was wondering while watching the documentary how all of this cave diving footage of the rescue was gathered. Turns out it was reenacted. But in the end, it doesn't take away from the profound emotional impact that this documentary will have om many viewers. And it's also a great reminder that the human spirit, determination and international cooperation are badly needed in this turbulent world.

"The Rescue" premiered last month at the Telluride film festival to immediate acclaim, and is currently certified 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The early Friday evening screening where I caught this was not attended well: exactly 2 people including myself. Hopefully the great word of mouth that this film surely will generate will give it some life in the weeks and months to come. If you loved either "Meru" or "Free Solo", or simply are in the mood for an excellent documentary, I readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (while you still can), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.