Not many film genres are as powerful as survival. Stories of individuals that survive tragedy have been made into unforgettable movies. Whether it’s redemptive prisoners, Holocaust survivors or space scavengers, the genre has produced strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite survival movies which deserve to be appreciated.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
Hope is something that I’ve often found hard finding. As far as I remember, I’ve never been a hopeful person. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began failing classes in school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with pressure posed by high school studies, I experienced intense anxiety. During a painful time, it was impossible for me to see a bright light at the end of the pitch-black tunnel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the importance of hope allowing people to survive a catastrophic situation as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Ever since its release in 1994, Frank Darabont’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest survival movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Darabont captured a pair of prisoners forming a long-lasting friendship to survive a prison facing despair. Darabont has an aptitude for demonstrating emotions through voice-over narration, and his strengths as a filmmaker are evident in “The Shawshank Redemption”. For instance, the scene in which Red narrates his harrowing memories of the time when Andy escapes the prison causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tim Robbins, who embodies a commemorated prisoner with a strong will to survive a disastrous situation. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” the greatest survival movie ever made is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of hope which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a commemorated classic about hopeless inmates that question whether they should get busy living or get busy dying seeking survival in a terrifying prison, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a captivating genre that has produced unforgettable movies which are worthy of celebration.
2. The Pianist
The Holocaust is a subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He took great pride in teaching students about a genocide. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie honoured a Jewish pianist that survived WWII. With the most personal film of his career, Polanski captured a real-life Jewish pianist that survived warfare. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the best moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a Jewish pianist that survived tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. 90 years after a Jewish pianist managed to survive ghettos in WWII, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate producing movies audiences value.
3. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a friend taking interest in slavery. He sought to educate people in my school about a time he came to celebrate. My friend believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture a historical tragedy that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve seen have captured slaves with a strong drive to survive a time that was grave as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning movie captured a real-life slave’s survival. McQueen beautifully used production-design to capture slaves facing a decline. For instance, the scene in which Solomon discovers that he bas been deceived by friends that sell him into slavery causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who embodies a slave in American history. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a survival classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after Solomon Northup miraculously survived slavery, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has made movies that inspire people to overcome adversity.
4. Jaws
Sharks are scary creatures that have always terrified me. As far as I can remember, I’ve been afraid of sharks causing disaster. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters that posed damage. I always had a nerve-wracking feeling that something dangerous was lurking in the seas that would end up eating me. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws first began when I watched “Jaws”. Ever since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest survival films ever made. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for creating tension in movies through close-ups of characters, and “Jaws” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s face witnessing sharks on the beach causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” a survival classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1970’s, it has aged beautifully. The film delivers a meaningful message about crisis which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as sharks with sharp jaws, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre that has deserves a round of applause producing movies without flaws.
5. Cast Away
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my life changed when my family experienced a bombing causing damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s strong drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. As someone haunted by a bombing that left my family cast away, I adored “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured a man stranded on an island facing tragedy. Zemeckis uses silence to capture a man stranded on an island in a harrowing experience. For instance, the scene in which Chuck Noland faces silence after he lands on the island after the plane crash causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a sympathetic survivor. Ultimately, what makes “Cast Away” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival resonating with everyone. A captivating portrait of men surviving on islands that are cast away, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
6. A Quiet Place
Imagine living in a world of utter silence. You cannot speak, engage in a conversation or let out a scream. Silence is the only possible tool for survival. This is the intriguing premise of John Krainski’s magnificent movie “A Quiet Place”. Released in 2018, John Krasinski’s movie captured a family living in a world of silence. Unlike most movies in the survival genre which are driven by sounds, what makes “A Quiet Place” stand out is its strong use of silence. Krasinski effectively uses sequences of silence to build unbearable tension. Assisted by Emily Blunt who is exceptional in the lead role, Krasinski created a silently spectacular survival movie. A powerful portrait of painful hardships that families face struggling to survive in a quiet place, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies audiences embrace.
7. The Revenant
Hugh Glass is a legendary frontiersman that survived catastrophe. During the 19th Century, Glass was attacked by a grizzly bear that caused tragedy. Through a sheer miracle, Glass survived the worst disaster imaginable. In 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu honoured the frontiersman with strong commitment to survive in his film “The Revenant”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Revenant” stand out is its visuals. Inarritu uses breathtaking visuals to capture a frontiersman seeking to survive catastrophe. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is exceptional in the lead role, Inarritu honours a commemorated fur trader that survived calamity centuries ago. As strong as Hugh Glass’ desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre that has made movies audiences consider special.
8. The Martian
Few books ever written about survival have earned the recognition of The Martian. Since its publication in 2011, Andy Weir’s book has become a literary classic. In 2015, Ridley Scott celebrated the book about space survival in his movie “The Martian”. Unlike most movies in the survival genre, what makes “The Martian” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Scott effectively uses humour to capture a brave astronaut seeking to survive a disastrous planet. It’s refreshing to come across humour in a genre that has always followed a serious tone. Assisted by Matt Damon who is fantastic in the lead role, Scott created a powerful space survival epic. As strong as Mark Whatney’s desire to survive a doomed planet, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has managed to get a huge following by making memorable movies which are impossible to forget.
9. Life of Pi
One of the most common characteristics of the survival genre is themes of hope. The genre has often captured lives of characters with hope to survive disastrous situations. Hope that allows characters to survive situations which terrify is beautifully explored in “Life of Pi”. Released in 2012, Ang Lee’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about survival. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Life of Pi” stand out is its depiction of animal-human bonds. Ang Lee uses stunning CGI to capture the powerful bond between an Indian boy and tiger stranded in seas. Assisted by Suraj Sharma who is amazing in the lead role, Lee honoured legendary literature. As strong as Pi’s bond with Richard Parker, it’s a soul-stirring reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences treasure.
10. Adrift
When it comes to inspiring heroes that survived catastrophe in American history, it’s worth discussing Tami Aschcraft. In 1983, Tami encountered a hurricane tragedy. A courageous woman, Ashcraft survived for 41 days on the Pacific Ocean. In 2018, Baltasar Kormakur honoured the woman that was adrift on the Pacific Ocean in his film “Adrift”. Kormakur used handheld camerawork to capture survival. Assisted by Shailene Woodley who is exceptional in the lead role, Kormakur honoured a survivor. Although “Adrift” falls short of the finest survival movies, it showcased the genre’s appeal. Nearly 40 years after a courageous woman miraculously survived hurricane tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 