An Unknown Compelling Force movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: An Unknown Compelling Force

RATING: Documentary (R for children due to gruesome images & descriptions of deaths)

LENGTH: 1 hour 46 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

If you are fascinated by mysterious true stories, you’ll be intrigued to learn about this baffling story about 9 students who were found dead for unknown reasons in the Russian wilderness

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 UFOs, 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.

THINGS I LIKED:

In order to make some of the static images appear more interesting, there are animated snowflakes blowing across the frame.
Some of the Russians speak English pretty well, but there are subtitles when people being interviewed don’t speak English.
All of the theories are presented. Some are debunked, while others remain uncontested.
You get to learn about each of the hikers and their background story, reminding you that these were real people and not just names on death records.
There are a lot of creative transitions between scenes.
One of the hikers in the group got sick and had to return back without finishing the trip. It was touching that he wanted to be buried with his friend when he died only a few years ago. He passed away before ever finding out what really happened to his friends.
It’s impressive to see all of the research and angles the director explored to make this film and try to get to the bottom of this mystery. You really do feel his passion as he uncovers one lead to the next. He puts himself in very dangerous situations in an attempt to discover the truth and he really did leave no stone unturned.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Sometimes, it’s hard to understand what’s being said due to the thick Russian accents of some of the people being interviewed.
The ending is frustrating.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This is not appropriate for children to watch because of some gruesome images and descriptions shown of the dead bodies and violence.
Kids will generally be bored.

THEMES:

Passion
Determination
Truth
Conspiracy theories
Fact vs. fiction
Friendship
Man vs. Nature
Culture and customs

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a very serious documentary.

INTERESTING LINES:

“I don’t like ‘We don’t know’ as an answer.” – Director Liam Le Guillou
“If you want to know the real story, you have to get out and talk to people.” – Director Liam Le Guillou
“Have you ever fallen down the rabbit-hole of an internet mystery so hard that you dropped everything and set off around the world to find the truth? Neither had I, until I discovered the Dyatlov PassIncident, and it changed my life forever.” – Director Liam Le Guillou