The Dyatlov Pass Incident [DVD]

How very creative to take an obscure real-life unsolved mystery then build a found-footage horror film using those authentic events as a foundation. Whoever wrote the script for this film is clearly very imaginative, and it would be fantastic to see them do similar things in the future. There are only a couple of minor issues I take with the film that stop it short of being something perfect - one is a flash-forward and rather drawn-out fake news report scene near the beginning that gives away far too much of the later plot. Secondly, the film departs somewhat from its initial strengths as a psychological horror and begins to rely on shoddy CGI combined with repetitive jump-scares. These inclusions are frustrating, but forgivable when the film as a whole is considered.The characters are obnoxious and unlikable - but only to a degree, and this is not the result of bad writing but rather an accurate portrayal of hubristic college kids. When faced with true adversity, they react in realistic manners. Overconfidence gives way to desperate rationalisation and indignant rage is expressed to conceal extreme terror. Their characters behave consistently throughout the film, and never do they behave unrealistically or in a manner that's out of character for the sake of advancing the plot. The film is definitely at its strongest during the middle third, which is when it truly excels at cultivating an atmosphere of suspenseful dread. This section alone makes the film worth watching for any psychological horror/found footage/unsolved mystery aficionado.While not necessarily a critique per se, it should be noted that (while intriguing and darkly entertaining) the scenario posited by the movie wouldn't actually solve the mystery of what happened to the original Dyatlov hiking party. Still, before anything else, this movie deserves praise for its unique setting and ambitious storytelling. So many found footage films insist on following the safe but tired haunted house paranormal investigators trope that it was genuinely refreshing to see such a novel premise - especially one based on real life lore! While this film probably wouldn't be to everyone's tastes, its appeal remains broad enough for it to be enjoyable for the majority of people who would ordinarily enjoy your typical horror/found footage flick. I would highly recommend.

Loved this film! I read a book about this last year & I was fascnated by it then. The writer came to one conclusion but there are others who come up with different scenarios so it is all stll basically guess work as nobody can prove anything. I was surprised to hear it called a found footage film because the only footage was personal photographs of the hikers larkng about & having a good time, which makes the outcome of their journey all the more poignant. Apart from those photographs there was just the one that showed what looked like orbs of light which could have been anything. When I read that the film was taking 5 American students back to the scene of the disaster I thought, if this is going to be another story about 5 students going off together into the dark where they all get slashed to bts by a mad axe man I shall be really pissed off! But I am gllad to say that it wasn't anything like that as it went off on a different tack altogether. In some ways it reminds me of Cabin in the Wood because that was another film that found something really original & imaginative to say. That's where the similarties end though as they are totally diffferent films in every other respect. I was also a bit sick to find the entire film is available on Youtube for free (pause for gnashing of teeth) I was also surprised that i hadn't heard anything about this film before... but then I do practically live under a rock so maybe that's my fault :)

For those people who already know about this strange and totally engrossing true-life mystery no explanantion is needed here, but for those who do not l would reccomend a look at the many vids on Youtube to get at the 'facts' as reported at the time in the Russian and world Press and the one or two fascinating pod cast debates also on youtube exploring the mystery and the current theories as to what exactly did happen to the tragic 9 ski-hikers up there in the Ural Mountains in February 1959.Having come at this film with a well-informed, fascinated interest in the subject l was expecting to be a little let-down by this kind of film (as usual) - and this coupled to my over 50 years old loathing of teenagers in peril with sex and screaming as the bye-line,I sat down in the dark with my popcorn and partner and waited to fall asleep or chuck said pop-corn at the tv within the first 10 minutes...But no!I found myself only slightly edgy in those first 10 minutes but the film immediately offered us the reasons why this new group of younglings were headed to the 'Mountain of the Dead' and it allowed the true story to be the thrust of the film-so l settled down.Everything about the film was about the Dyatlov Incident and gave us the real 'facts' blow for blow- which was a relief.The film also allowed itself to develop certain conspiracy theories and not rule out any of them!The actors were pretty good-especially their American accents (they were mostly Young English actors!)and they served the plot well.I was not expecting to be entertained, informed AND given a great Twist at the end- which invoked a good after-film conversation with the partner - so a good evening was actually had- all in all well worth it.