Society of the Snow: the shocking true story of the 1970s Andes disaster as this 'must-see' film hits Netflix

Netflix has released a must-see film that tells the true story of the plane crash in the Andes in the 1970s.

Society of the Snow, directed by JA Bayona, premieres today on the streaming giant and is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes this weekend and is Spain's official Oscar entry.

It is an adaptation of Pablo Vierci's 2009 book, which contained accounts from the 16 survivors.

The film, which has left viewers in tears, is based on the events of October 13, 1972, when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 took off from Montevideo, Uruguay, bound for Santiago, Chile.

The plane, which was carrying 42 passengers, began its descent too early and crashed into a mountain, severing both wings and tail before sliding off a glacier and landing in the snow.

NETFLIX FILM: The film, which left viewers in tears, is based on the events of October 13, 1972, when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 took off from Montevideo, Uruguay, bound for Santiago, Chile

NETFLIX FILM: The film is an adaptation of Pablo Vierci's 2009 book, which contained accounts from the 16 survivors

The disaster claimed a total of 26 lives and those who managed to cheat death were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive. It took 72 days for rescue and search operations to find them.

The harrowing story was recorded at the actual crash site, approximately 10,000 feet above sea level.

The area is known as the Valley of Tears and temperatures can reach -40°C.

Before production, Bayona visited the crash site. “It was amazing to visit the Valley of Tears – in the same place and at the same time of year as the crash,” the director told Netflix.

'It's a fascinating and terrifying place… But the extreme cold, the lack of oxygen and the constant exhaustion allowed us to understand what the main characters went through.'

“Shooting some of the scenes was an unforgettable experience,” he said.

The film is told through the story of rugby player Numa Turcatti, played by Enzo Vogrincic.

The 25-year-old was the last survivor of the crash to die and spent his birthday buried under snow in the fuselage after the avalanche hit them the night before.

Towards the end of his life, Numa stopped eating and weighed 3.92 stone (55 pounds) at the time of his death.

Fans are excited about the film adaptation of the true story as they posted their reviews of the film on X, formerly Twitter.

One wrote: 'YES Bayona's latest film, Society Of The Snow, deserves to be among the best good films of the year.'

A second wrote: 'Watching the society of snow on Netflix. been waiting for it to be released. so far.. the sfx/practical effects are really good. as insane'.

Another added: 'Two movie reviews I've seen recently: Boys in the Boat and Society of the Snow. Both are based on true events. BitB literally had me on the edge of my seat during the last race.

REAL DISASTER: Both wings of the plane were cut off, along with its tail, before it slid off a glacier and crashed into the snow. Of the 45 passengers, 16 survived

NETFLIX FILM: The gripping story was shot at the actual crash site, approximately 10,000 feet above sea level

NETFLIX FILM: The area of ​​the crash is known as the Valley of Tears and temperatures can reach -40 degrees Celsius

NETFLIX FILM: The disaster claimed a total of 26 lives and those who managed to cheat death were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive

'And the SotS was so intense but with great performances. Snow will be on Netflix in a few days!'

Another commented: 'Intense, gripping and often terrifying, SOCIETY OF THE SNOW is an incredible story about survival, determination and the human spirit.

'It will get more attention when it appears on Netflix, but it's worth seeing the production on the big screen. Brutal, but life-affirming stuff.'

While another simply wrote: 'society of snow made me cry' and another added: 'amazing story'.

Another explained it as 'a feat of willpower, teamwork, faith and a complete understanding of the elements. Heartbreaking and yet fascinating'.