For those of us in the Midwest who have been socked multiple times by the recent winter storms, “Society of the Snow” is a particularly good choice – especially because we are currently surrounded by snow.

The film is a somber, reflective true story of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 that crashed in the Andes mountains in October 1972. I’m old enough to remember it, but, for viewers who are unfamiliar with this tragedy, it will be surprisingly compelling and, in fact, uplifting in its treatment of those who died and thereby provided sustenance for those who survived.

‘Society of the Snow’ (IMDb)

This is an adaptation of Pablo Vierci’s book about the tragedy that befell a team of rugby players who, along with some members of their family and friends, were traveling to Chile.

Most of those who were killed died instantly when the plane crashed into the mountains. Those who survived – with little food and no idea where a search party might arrive, if ever – were forced to turn to cannibalism to stay alive for weeks and weeks.

We get to know some of the survivors through brief flashbacks, conversations and their interactions as they work together to continue to eke out an existence through severe weather, an avalanche and inadequate clothing. Leaders begin to emerge as those who remain alive try to think beyond the moment to find items in suitcases and to convince others that they might be able to live if they work together.

The crash itself is horrifying to see, and the cinematography throughout is astonishing and convincing.

The last half hour, which I will not ruin for you, reduced me to tears. The film’s perspective takes a reverent approach to those who lost their lives, and it’s incredibly moving.

It’s a humans-against-nature story that deserves to be told. It will make you wonder how you would react if you were tested to the limits that these survivors faced.

3 1/2 stars

Running time: Two hours and 25 minutes.

Rated: R for scenes of death, cannibalism and foul language.

Streaming on Netflix.

Watch the trailer here.