The Dyatlov Pass Incident [DVD]

How very creative to take an obscure real-life unsolved mystery then build a found-footage horror film using those authentic events as a foundation. Whoever wrote the script for this film is clearly very imaginative, and it would be fantastic to see them do similar things in the future. There are only a couple of minor issues I take with the film that stop it short of being something perfect - one is a flash-forward and rather drawn-out fake news report scene near the beginning that gives away far too much of the later plot. Secondly, the film departs somewhat from its initial strengths as a psychological horror and begins to rely on shoddy CGI combined with repetitive jump-scares. These inclusions are frustrating, but forgivable when the film as a whole is considered.The characters are obnoxious and unlikable - but only to a degree, and this is not the result of bad writing but rather an accurate portrayal of hubristic college kids. When faced with true adversity, they react in realistic manners. Overconfidence gives way to desperate rationalisation and indignant rage is expressed to conceal extreme terror. Their characters behave consistently throughout the film, and never do they behave unrealistically or in a manner that's out of character for the sake of advancing the plot. The film is definitely at its strongest during the middle third, which is when it truly excels at cultivating an atmosphere of suspenseful dread. This section alone makes the film worth watching for any psychological horror/found footage/unsolved mystery aficionado.While not necessarily a critique per se, it should be noted that (while intriguing and darkly entertaining) the scenario posited by the movie wouldn't actually solve the mystery of what happened to the original Dyatlov hiking party. Still, before anything else, this movie deserves praise for its unique setting and ambitious storytelling. So many found footage films insist on following the safe but tired haunted house paranormal investigators trope that it was genuinely refreshing to see such a novel premise - especially one based on real life lore! While this film probably wouldn't be to everyone's tastes, its appeal remains broad enough for it to be enjoyable for the majority of people who would ordinarily enjoy your typical horror/found footage flick. I would highly recommend.

This is a fantastic film. It is by a mile the best horror film I have seen a long time. The fact that is based off events that actually happened makes it a lot more scary and believable. A lot of horror films suffer from terrible acting and under developed characters, while you never get to care for them that much or learn that much about them the cast are likeable and the acting is fine. I like how they went into Russia looking to solve a mystery instead of looking for financial gain or personal glory.A lot of films like this are predictable but DPI kept me guessing until the end and sent a chill down my spine. It is very gripping and there is never a dull moment. The only points that I would make is that the ending could have been executed slightly better and I found it a bit unrealistic how many fluent English speakers there are in rural Russia but DPI is a very good film. Even if your skeptical or horror or found footage movies this is worth a watch.

Interesting film with some good acting in it telling the story of a group who set out to see if they can discover the ill fated hike by a group of accomplished russian hikers 50 years prior

I was skeptical about what this film was going to be like, as I've done so much research and 'looking into' what possibly could have happened to the real 9 hikers of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. I am glad I watched it; the concept was very interesting and followed a possible theory that's pretty dark, but plausible. I am just glad the film didn't go down the stupid theory of an avalanche. Get's you thinking about what really happened to the real hikers. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the stress of it & that the camera work made me feel like I was with them at a few moments.Anyway, I won't be going up snowy mountains anytime soon!

The first half does a reasonable job of building up a relationship with the viewer and growing a little suspense.This quickly devolves into clunky exposition (lights go out: "I can't see"), stilted acting and laughably poor CGI.The final act tries far too hard to tie *insert consipiracy theory here* in to the main narrative while shoving the 'twist' in the viewer's face so hard and often you can almost hear a narrator looping "did you get it?" for the last 5 minutes.Fun to have on in the background or as part of a B-Movie Horror night.

Loved this film! I read a book about this last year & I was fascnated by it then. The writer came to one conclusion but there are others who come up with different scenarios so it is all stll basically guess work as nobody can prove anything. I was surprised to hear it called a found footage film because the only footage was personal photographs of the hikers larkng about & having a good time, which makes the outcome of their journey all the more poignant. Apart from those photographs there was just the one that showed what looked like orbs of light which could have been anything. When I read that the film was taking 5 American students back to the scene of the disaster I thought, if this is going to be another story about 5 students going off together into the dark where they all get slashed to bts by a mad axe man I shall be really pissed off! But I am gllad to say that it wasn't anything like that as it went off on a different tack altogether. In some ways it reminds me of Cabin in the Wood because that was another film that found something really original & imaginative to say. That's where the similarties end though as they are totally diffferent films in every other respect. I was also a bit sick to find the entire film is available on Youtube for free (pause for gnashing of teeth) I was also surprised that i hadn't heard anything about this film before... but then I do practically live under a rock so maybe that's my fault :)