Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
On October 12, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying the Old Christian rugby team crashed in the Andes while flying to Chile for a friendly match. Of the 45 people on board, 16 survived after 70 days at 3,600 meters, in extreme cold, without food or water.
Carlos Páez, then 18 years old, returns to the Valley of Tears with his children, grandchildren and son-in-law. Through his memories, the film recounts the crash, the failed search, the avalanche, the decision to survive and the final expedition led by Fernando Parrado and Roberto Canesa.
The journey also revisits the role of faith, family and the companions who did not survive.
At the crash site, Carlos reflects on the place where he lived the most difficult days of his life and where, in the end, life prevailed.
Documentary: The Valley of Tears (2017)
Directed by: Fernando Laureiro
Production: Fernando Laureiro
#documentary #freedocumentary #andesplanecrash #andescrash #carlospaez #carlitospaez #valleyoftears #andessurvivors #1972andescrash #survivalstory #uruguay #chile #oldchristians #fernandoparrado #robertocanesa #planecrashsurvivor #survivaldocumentary #historydocumentary
On October 12, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying the Old Christian rugby team crashed in the Andes while flying to Chile for a friendly match. Of the 45 people on board, 16 survived after 70 days at 3,600 meters, in extreme cold, without food or water.
Carlos Páez, then 18 years old, returns to the Valley of Tears with his children, grandchildren and son-in-law. Through his memories, the film recounts the crash, the failed search, the avalanche, the decision to survive and the final expedition led by Fernando Parrado and Roberto Canesa.
The journey also revisits the role of faith, family and the companions who did not survive.
At the crash site, Carlos reflects on the place where he lived the most difficult days of his life and where, in the end, life prevailed.
Documentary: The Valley of Tears (2017)
Directed by: Fernando Laureiro
Production: Fernando Laureiro
#documentary #freedocumentary #andesplanecrash #andescrash #carlospaez #carlitospaez #valleyoftears #andessurvivors #1972andescrash #survivalstory #uruguay #chile #oldchristians #fernandoparrado #robertocanesa #planecrashsurvivor #survivaldocumentary #historydocumentary
