National Geographic's recently-released breathtaking rescue documentary The Rescue caught the world's attention in 2021 with the story of a soccer team trapped deep in a flooded cave - and fighting the clock to make it out alive. The stakes are high, the recovery mission is daring, and it is based on a true story, making it the quintessential dramatic rescue documentary.
In a similar vein are the stories of diver Chris Lemons in peril below the surface of the North Sea, two climbers aiming to reach the summit of the Siula Grande in the Andes, and even the doomed Apollo 13 space mission. These incredible stories of human resilience, unity, and altruism combined with drama-filled rescues are perfect viewing for real-life excitement.
Apollo 13: To The Edge And Back (1994)
Although quite dated, this documentary is the most exhaustive film about Apollo 13 and the crews' amazing outer space survival story yet. It features interviews with the original crew and family as well as footage and audio from 1970. It's matter-of-fact and gives a wide-ranging of the events of the accident that changed space travel forever. It also highlights the creative liberties taken during the filming of the 1995 movie Apollo 13. This is informative and very serviceable documentation of the titular space disaster.
Desperate Days In Blue John Canyon (2004)
This film documents the incredible true story behind 127 Hours. It tells the tale of Aron Ralston who famously survived an accident on Blue John Canyon by cutting off his own arm. It's an unbelievable story told here in an intimate and unusual way - Ralston goes back to the canyon for the first time after the event and although a little dated, this is an of human endurance that needs to be seen. It's highly personal because the audience hears directly from Ralston as well as some of his family , and his return to the scene of the event that changed his life forever is both moving and inspiring.
The Summit (2012)
This documentary surrounds the tragic and mysterious 2008 K2 disaster and doesn't have such a happy ending. Many of the rescue operations that took place during the span of the event were unsuccessful, and 11 people died as a result. It's a mixture of interviews with the survivors and reenactments, as well as actual footage from the incident. It's extremely comprehensive with a feature-length runtime and features stunning cinematography. It captures perfectly the terror and perplexing circumstances of the disaster and at times is positively chilling. The differing s of the survivors beg the question - what really happened at K2 on those fateful days?
Sea Watch 3 (2019)
This niche documentary was made by two filmmakers onboard Sea Watch 3 when captain Carola Rackete decided to change the course of European migration politics by rescuing and taking responsibility for a group of Libyan migrants found on a rubber boat in the Mediterranean sea. This is a brilliant and unique film, featuring heart-wrenching and candid interviews from the migrants themselves in which the watcher is given a glimpse into the horrors they escaped from, as well as fly-on-the-wall footage onboard the ship. It's a little rough and ready, but tells a stunning story of unity and bravery and absolutely can't be missed.
Touching The Void (2003)
This is the incredible story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates as they aim to reach the summit of the Siula Grande in the Andes. A dramatic accident and bad weather on their descent leaves Yates with an impossible decision - cut the rope to save himself or die in solidarity with the injured Simpson.
Against all odds, Simpson survived the fall into the 30m crevice and had kept himself alive by drinking melted snow. The story is told through interviews and intense reenactments and is must-see viewing, often called one of the greatest mountaineering documentaries of all time.
Surviving 9/11 (2021)
Surviving 9/11 is an experimental and intimate look at the final survivor's rescue from the rubble following the 2001 terror attacks. Genelle Guzman-McMillan was found alive in the wreckage and narrates this short but beautifully realized film. It was made exclusively for Occulus and can be viewed in stunning 3D on the headset. Interspersed with film of Genelle discussing her experience are 360° landscapes of New York City, then and now. It's incredibly moving and brings home the reality that so many individual lives were lost; people with stories, dreams, and families. This is simplicity at its most impactful.
Sea of Shadows (2019)
Sea of Shadows is an enthralling and topical look into the rescue mission to save the elusive vaquita whale. It follows ionate activists, the Mexican Navy, and undercover investigators as they attempt to protect the whales from going extinct under threat from the Mexican cartels and Chinese mafia that demolish the habitat of the vaquita in their pursuit of totoaba fish.
The film follows the rescue mission as it happens, seeing real-time interviews with locals, and there is a thrilling chase scene as the operation chases a cartel boat and rescues a whale. It's a little impersonal, but overall an exhilarating and in-depth exploration of both the environmental ramifications and the morality of poaching.
Stacey Dooley Investigates: Mums Selling Their Kids For Sex (2017)
Stacey Dooley presents this 35-minute documentary detailing the real-time rescues of Filipino child sex trafficking victims whose mothers exploit them both via webcam and in-person in exchange for cash. This is a gritty look into the secret HSI operations aiming to arrest the parents carrying out these crimes, and Dooley lends a typically candid and genuine quality that makes this short film not only nail-biting to watch but also illuminates the reality of the horrors these children are exposed to. This is heart-wrenching but unforgettable viewing as the audience gets a glimpse into the efficient investigation and subsequent rescues fly-on-the-wall style.
Last Breath (2019)
This powerful, nail-bitingly tense film documents accident and subsequent rescue that befell diver Chris Lemons while he and his colleagues worked 100m below the surface of the North Sea. The film includes firsthand s from the crew involved as well as actual footage from the event. It is highly informative as well as emotionally hard-hitting and it mirrors well the claustrophobia of being trapped underwater, at times very difficult to watch. It's a heartfelt film about teamwork, endurance, and mortality that makes way for a dramatic third act reveal that will ensure there's not a dry eye in the house. Tense but poignant, and rich in emotional depth.
The Rescue (2021)
This feature-length film comprehensively documents the rescue of twelve boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. The interviews with the American military Thai Navy, and the volunteer cave-divers tell a highly detailed story of the rescue efforts whilst packing the surprising emotional punch that makes this documentary both touching and inspiring. The unity, co-operation, and risk required to save the kids is truly stirring, and while the minutiae of the actual rescue is fascinating, the true heart of the film is the altruistic cave-divers who risked their lives to save the twelve and did so, against all odds. It achieves the perfect balance of information and profundity.
