Il vulcano: in fuga da Whakaari

How much risk is acceptable risk? How well informed are you before you take your family on an adventure excursion? Risk cannot be avoided otherwise you will have no experiences worth living for but where is the tipping point? In retrospect it seems that these excursions should not have been allowed but hindsight is 20/20. As a person who studies risk for a living, my only advice is to take risks that are known but avoid the unknown. I recommend watching this documentary for this reason; to give you food for thought. Considering it was only 3 years ago I commend the participants for their conteributions and the makers for their discretion.

I don't post much on here but I want to say something .... I can't imagine going through what everyone there went through. I will try to keep my words short. 1. This was something that everyone there was looking forward to as an adventure that many others went before. If I was there I would have thought not me. It's not going to happen while I'm here for these few moments. 2. The way everyone came together shows you the true human side of people to help others and not give up. 3. My prayers and thoughts to everyone involved. One more thing.... Speaking on how the doc was done. Whoever said this is long, it's not. It was straight forward and done extremely well. I believe it showed courage and determination. I'm so sad this happened but the doc gives you a first hand look of what everyone went through and puts you right there to relieve a horrible experience that makes you think on your own life and how we as people, we take things for granted on a daily basis. I also still can't imagine the strength it took for everyone involved to show us how and what they experienced.

As "The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari" (2022 release; 98 min) opens, we are introduced to a small community on the North Island of New Zealand. Thirty miles off the coast lies Whakaari, or "White Island", one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and a popular tourist attraction. It is "December 9, 2019" as tourists arrive on the island... At this point we are less than 10 min into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from director Rory Kennedy, who just earlier this year made the excellent "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing". Here she reflects on that fateful day in December, 2019, when a group of tourists visiting Whakaari find themselves trapped when the volcano erupts. Let me admit up front that I had not heard of this tragedy before seeing this. A couple of things struck: first and foremost, the beauty of that island (someone remarks "it's like landing on the moon"), resulting in absolutely stunning photography (and immediately wanting to add this island to my "bucket list" of places to visit). But also this: there is a reason why the island is called "the most active volcano in the world", as this type of eruption apparently happens with regularity (as in: also in 2016, also in 2013, etc.). It is telling that after the 2019 eruption, the island was closed permanently to visitors, Along the way, we get lots of talking heads, including tourists who survived, first responders, etc.

"The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari" had a brief US theatrical release, and started streaming on Netflix this weekend, where I caught it. In and of itself there is nothing "revolutionary" about this disaster documentary, but watching the footage of this far flung location, literally at the end of the world, makes this worthwhile. Of course don't take my word for it, so I readily encourage you to check it out and draw your own conclusion.

This documentary tells the sad and tragic story of the eruption of the Whakaari volcano that killed 22 people and injured countless others.

This documentary is mesmerizing and devastating. Well crafted in its narrative, with stories from victims and rescuers.

The helicopter pilots that went to the island to rescue people when the government called it a no fly zone and would not send in others. These men are true heroes. Absolutely remarkable human beings.

This documentary is a must watch. It is horrific to even think about what these people went through, the pain and suffering from steam burns is beyond description.

The real footage taken and audio are haunting and terrifying.

This is a must watch.

I appreciate these victims willing to go on camera and share their story. It would be incredibly difficult to recount their experience.

To those who have left a review saying there isnt enough camera footage and what footage we do have is blurry - what is wrong with you? This is not a Hollywood film with perfect scenes for your enjoyment.

I personally found the footage and the audio to be terrifying.

The helicopter pilots who went out of their way and did everything they did to help, are absolute hero's.

Whist hard to watch, I highly recommend watching it so you understand what happened that day. And come away appreciating your own life and the force of nature.