Alive (1993 Film) - Reception

Reception

The film received generally good reviews, with a 68% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some focused their criticism on the physical characteristics of the cast, arguing that it should have been chosen mainly from actors of Southern European ancestries (i.e. Spanish and Italian, according to the demographic composition of Uruguay), instead of Northern European. However, it should be noted that several of the survivors actually were Uruguayans of Northern and Central European descent (British, Irish, French, German, Croatian, etc.) such as Roy Harley, Bobby François and the Strauchs. In this regard, the passengers were representative of the generally privileged clientele of their school, rather than of Uruguayan society as a whole.

David Ansen of Newsweek said that, while, "Piers Paul Read's acclaimed book ... paid special attention to the social structure that evolved among the group ... Marshall ... downplays the fascinating sociological details—and the ambiguities of character—in favor of action, heroism and a vague religiosity that's sprinkled over the story like powdered sugar."

Others, such as Ray Green, praised the tactful nature of the film stating that, "despite the potential for lurid sensationalism, Marshall manages to keep his and the film's dignity by steering an effectively downbeat course through some grim goings on thanks in no small manner to the almost allegorical ring of Shanley's stylized dialogue." Green continues by describing the film as, "thrilling and engrossing as it is at times, Alive is more than an action film—in its own way it is also a drama of ideas, and of the human spirit as well."

Roger Ebert wrote "There are some stories you simply can't tell. The story of the Andes survivors may be one of them." He also questioned the realism of how normal the actors' bodies looked after portraying two months of near starvation.