I consider myself to a be a smart person. I’m always trying to learn new things. I tell people that I know a little about a lot of things. I guess that is why I do well on Jeopardy.
I love to watch documentaries and read stories about a variety of subjects. It’s good to keep your mind active, and learning new things is a part of that.
I don’t remember how I learned about the nine Russian hikers that died mysterious in the wilderness. It might have been on a paranormal show of some sort, because the hikers each sustained horrific injuries, including missing an eye and another, a tongue. Those are not normal injuries one would expect from an expedition gone wrong. You’d expect broken bones for the most part.
These unfortunate hikers came up in a conversation with my husband not too long ago. I don’t recall what we were talking about, but I do remember talking to him about it. He never heard of them before.
To my surprise, not long after that conversation I had with my husband, I was asked if I’d be interested in reviewing a documentary called An Unknown Compelling Force. The film has to do with those hikers. That’s crazy! Maybe if I talk to my husband about what we’ll do with all the money we’ll win in the lottery, it will happen? Ha Ha.
The documentary is based on the TRUE STORY of the missing hikers. That’s what makes this film even more interesting.
Normally I write my own synopsis of movies I review. Sometimes the official synopsis is much better and more detailed than something I would be able to write.
An Unknown Compelling Force is the true story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, known as Russia’s greatest unsolved mystery. In 1959 a group of student hikers were attempting a difficult winter expedition in the remote Ural Mountains of Russia when an unknown event lead to the mysterious deaths of all nine. When the team failed to report back, search parties lead by the Soviet Government and fellow students uncovered the grizzly remains of the hikers. Found a mile from their shredded tent, they seemingly fled into the freezing temperatures without their winter clothes or boots. Adding to the mystery, many of the bodies had suffered brutal and inexplicable injuries, and some even showed traces of radiation.
The case was closed by investigators at the time, stating that the hikers died from “An Unknown Compelling Force.” For more than 60 years the story has been shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories, suggesting everything from UFO’s, murder to a Soviet Government cover-up. British adventure filmmaker Liam Le Guillou travels under the radar to Russia in search of answers. Braving the dangerous conditions and hundreds of kilometers in sub-polar conditions, the documentary team attempts to reach the very location of the incident, a place the locals call “The Dead Mountain.”
This documentary film interviews Russian investigators, a former Moscow Times journalist, and friends of the hikers. To uncover the truth, the film also speaks to experts in the U.S. including a former FBI Agent and the former Marin County Coroner to finally reveal the stunning truth of The Dyatlov Pass Incident.
I never knew about the radiation. I knew about the horrific conditions the bodies were found in, but the radiation part was new to me.
I like how some of the questions have received some reasonable answers, thanks to research and this film, such in the case of the radiation. Their answer seems very plausible.
I think filmmaker Liam Le Guillou deserves some kind of an award for braving the elements (including temperatures far below zero) to find out the truth once and for all as to what happened to those young hikers.
Although there are still many questions surrounding their deaths, this film does a great job at digging to the bottom of every theory to rule out what could have happened to them.
I like that the film gives you the background on each of the hikers, as well as known photos. I think that personalizes the film even more – because you genuinely what to know what killed them (or what did they die from).
This is an incredibly fascinating film.
If you are into mysteries (especially true ones), or if you love to learn abut subjects you might not otherwise learn about, then you should definitely check out the documentary, An Unknown Compelling Force. Look for it on digital. I know it can be rented on Amazon Prime video. Look for it on other digital platforms.
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Maryann D. says
An Unknown Compelling Force does sound like an interesting film to view. I do prefer documentaries based on true events.