I won't need to give you much background information on this documentary. You've probably heard of the Thai soccer team that was trapped in a cave for over two weeks. The boys, who were all between 11 and 16 years old, and their coach became trapped by flash flooding while exploring a local cave system in June 2018.
They were finally rescued on July 10th, 2018, after an international team of cave divers and support personnel led by British diver Rick Stanton and John Volanthen managed to get them all out safely.
TRUE STORY
‘The Rescue' tells the story of the rescue operation through interviews and never-before-seen footage. The film also uses animation to show the enormity of the cave system and the challenges that posed for the rescuers.
The documentary keeps audiences on the edge of their seats as it examines the high-risk world of cave diving and the amazing bravery of the rescue workers attempting to save the kids.
WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?
Following a near-suicidal dive into the cave's farthest reaches, Rick Stanton, a volunteer cave diver, found himself face to face with members of the Wild Boar soccer team. His enthusiasm for finding the kids alive faded quickly. “The whole journey back,” Stanton says, “all I was thinking was ‘What on earth are we going to do now?’
Finding the boys was a Herculean challenge, but saving them before the waters inundated the caves would be a million to one shot.
The most fascinating part of this documentary is the challenge of extracting the boys from the cave. Only a handful of the worlds top divers had the skill and experience to reach the boys, but how to get them out safely?
IS ‘THE RESCUE' WORTH WATCHING?
I won't spoil your viewing by telling you how it was done, only to say the rescuers did not expect all the boys to make it out alive. Thankfully, due to the determination of a bunch of eccentric cave diving enthusiasts, all the kids were reunited with their families.
Rick Stanton explained how gratifying it was to apply his unique skills toward such a vital goal. “Well, I think I hold a sort of great pride in what we did. You could say justification for the dedication I put forward into a ridiculous minority sport that no one ever took seriously.”
This documentary goes beyond the media circus surrounding the Tham Luang cave rescue to reveal the human side of the heroes who risked their lives to bring the boys home. A roller coaster ride that is 100% worth watching – stream it on Disney+ now.
