Vajont
On October 9th, 1963, at 10:39 pm, 260 million cubic meters of rock fell down from Mount Toc to the artificial lake formed by the Vajont dam, the higher dam in the world. The landslide formed a 250-meters wave and 50 million cubic meters of water completely destroied all the below towns, killing more than 2000 people. Planned by engineer Semenza, Vajont dam (263 meters) had to carry the electricity in all the houses of the country. Tina Merlin, a journalist from 'L'Unitá', tried for years to denounce the danger to build a dam near the Mount Toc and expecially to denounce all the omissions by the corrupted politicians and workers in charge of the dam construction. They preferred to trust in old geologist Dal Piaz instead to hear engineer Semenza young son's alarming analysis. No one seemed to understand the high danger until that October fatal night.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film reenacts the tragic Vajont Dam disaster of 1963, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 2,000 people. It focuses on the human element, exploring the events leading up to the catastrophic landslide that overwhelmed the dam and the subsequent destruction of the valley below. The narrative highlights the negligence and hubris that contributed to the disaster.
Critical Reception
Vajont received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics acknowledging its powerful and emotionally charged portrayal of a real-life tragedy. While some praised its historical accuracy and visual impact, others found its dramatic structure occasionally uneven. Audience reception was generally sympathetic to the film's subject matter and its attempt to memorialize the victims.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its dramatic re-enactment of a significant historical tragedy.
- Acknowledged for its visual presentation of the disaster's scale.
- Some critics noted pacing issues or a slightly melodramatic tone.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews and their consensus is not readily available for this film.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in the Vajont valley and surrounding areas, aiming for authenticity in its depiction of the disaster's impact.
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