tt0107754.mp4
Ordeal in the Arctic (1993)
Directors
Ordeal in the Arctic
Overview
Everybody expected military flight Boxtop 22 from Thule into the vast frozen wilderness of Canada's North Western territories to be boring routine, but in a matter of minutes a crash reduces Gulf War veteran pilot Captain John Couch's crew and passengers to ever-growing despair. First they consider themselves relatively lucky as 14 out of 18 aboard are alive, including Captain Wilma De Groot, a medical doctor, but as time progresses the merciless cold makes it seem hopeless to check on Bob and Sue, who cannot be moved near the only campfire, while rescue attempts on land from Alert ('only' about 10 miles) and by air from Edmonton (8 hours flying) take no less then 32 hours to reach the plane wreck...
Ordeal in the Arctic Film Details
Overview: A Canadian military flight from Greenland to Canada crashes in the frozen arctic, nearby Alert base in Nunavut, and the survivors must endure for 32 hours until rescued.
Tagline: A Routine Flight… A Deadly Crash…A Desperate Fight To Survive.
Review: What many may not realize – in that some do not find the “film” exciting – is that the entire story is true and actually happened. In 1991 a Canadian Hercules transport plane en route to CFB Alert crashed less than 10 miles from the military airport near the North Pole (the most northern settlement in the World) as a result of crew error in the landing approach. Due to extreme weather conditions, search and rescue could not land near the downed plane, and overland rescue vehicles were thwarted by a chasm between the base and crash site. Rescue jumpers also made several attempts, but could not see the ground with flares so had to wait as well. As a result, it took over 32 hours to rescue the survivors from sub-zero temperatures. Originally, 3 of the 18 passengers died on impact, 2 were severely injured and could not be moved to shelter, and the remainder tried to stay warm in the tail section with little clothing to protect them. The 26-year old female Doctor on board attempted to keep morale high during the ordeal, even though some were distraught and had serious injuries. She had no medical gear to treat the wounded. During the 32 hours, 2 more died from injury and cold, including the pilot, Capt. John Couch, who had braved the weather to tend to those left outside while giving up his own jacket to keep one of them warm. By the time of rescue, once the weather finally cleared, 5 of the 18 on board had died. In short, a gripping story: 10/10
Country: Canada, USA
Language: English
Duration: 96 min
Genre: Drama
Also known as: Eldprov i Arktis,A jég fogságában,Ordeal in the Arctic,Alarm i Arktis,A túlélõk,Изгубени в Арктика,Ghiacci crudeli,Syntrivi stin Arktiki,Chin în Arctic,Diasosi stin Arktiki,Péril au 80e parallèle,Absturz in die weiße Hölle,Pesadelo no Ártico,Arktyczne piekło,Jäätävä kamppailu
