Impact After the Crash (2013) User Reviews

This documentary will change lives

[proudmomma02 · 10/10 · 15 June 2013]

My family and I were invited to the screening of this movie this year. I truly do not have words to express how I felt as I sat in the auditorium watching it. Three of my children (ten year old triplets) were actors in the movie, which was one reason we were there that night. My husband and I discussed the story behind the movie with the kids before they filmed their parts and again before we watched the screening. We really didn't think they quite "got it" as they were sure to be a bit starstruck seeing themselves on the big screen. But boy, were we wrong. During the movie, my husband looked down when he heard a sniffle beside him. One of our ten year old boys was crying like a baby as he watched the events unfold on the screen. I was already moved to tears, but for a ten yr old to watch it and "get it"...this movie got its intended point across. We laughed and we cried and we all walked out a little different that night. Kudos to all those who made this movie happen!

An extraordinary film about a terrible tragedy

[peedur · 10/10 · 2 October 2017]

Completely unfamiliar with this horrifying event, I began watching it expecting a tragedy documentary which would contain information, details and public reactions to the crash.

However, I was drawn into it by the careful and concise stories related by survivors and family members of victims, which lead the viewer in a gradual and compassionate presentation of the awful event as part of a bigger picture.

The filmmaker is privileged indeed in capturing the accounts from the survivors and family members; articulate, thoughtful and emotionally grounded individuals who frankly unveil their experiences, both awful and heartbreaking. Their individual stories unfold to display not merely the impact and it's aftermath, but it's meaning understood by those individuals as it was taking place and subsequently.

The film is deeply emotional, yet unexpectedly uplifting through the separate stories as they evolved and intertwined. The strength of spirit and character of all the interviewees left me very moved. At the end of the film images and names of all of the victims who died in the crash is revealed - I admit to weeping openly. As they alphabetically go down the list the respect paid throughout the film translated those names and faces into loved and cherished individuals.

As a father, I dread to think what a brutal experience this must have been for the parents of children lost that evening. Seeing the survivors describe their recovery, I can only imagine how painful and overwhelming their path was. This community, these families, these dear friends describe the unrelenting permanence of suffering, yet it's tempered by a desire to find or await meaning, and to discover that joy persists - an experience which was much more palpable than I was expecting. A heartfelt recommendation.

Could hardly hear a word

[jackie5562 · 6/10 · 23 April 2021]

Underneath the deafening, relentless 'music' and sound effects, there are the voices of some people who were survivors of a truly awful bus crash accident, telling us about it. Wish I could have heard all of what they had to say, but the sound balance was atrocious. The 'music' was recorded at double (at least) the volume of the interviews, and was absolutely incessant, which made it really difficult to make out everything they were saying.

Other than that, it was a well put together documentary.

Incredibly Inspirational

[cutiepatootie3 · 10/10 · 27 April 2018]

I accidentally started watching this at 2 am. I couldn't stop. I am the same age as a lot of those kids and this moved me. I now need to tell everyone about it. You will cry. You will smile. But above all else this is a hard lesson learned and a story that needs to be told and told and told and told. You want to watch this.

I agree with the other reviewer

[jldivelbiss · 6/10 · 19 September 2021]

Oh my goodness, I could hardly hear what the story was about so I thankfully read it in subtitles. My goodness, the sound effects were no-joke deafening though!! It literally drowned out anything that people were saying. But like the other reviewer stated, it's a well-put together documentary outside of the sound effects.

Everyday

[jaimebollmer · 10/10 · 11 June 2018]

My father lives at the exit on 71 South where the sign sits and it is a reminder every visit... amazing job with film

Parents please show this to your teens

[scootermom37 · 10/10 · 19 January 2021]

This is a must see for all teens before they start driving. I feel that if people could see and hear the impact from victims of senseless drunk drivers, it could help save more lives. The filmmaker did an excellent job capturing the voices from the victims and their families who were involved in this accident.

I remember the big push for "don't drink and drive" in the 80's which fizzled out towards the 90's. I wish it hadn't. I think there should constantly be a push for not drinking and driving and for friends who won't let friends drink and drive (take away their keys!). If the drunk in this documentary didn't have his keys given back to him, this is one tragedy that could have been prevented.

One of the victims from this tragedy said it best when she wrote:

"I feel that destiny is a choice made by you. Destiny should not come by chance. If destiny comes by chance, you may not have a good life; you may not live the way that you want to. Your future should not be left to chance. You have the choice to improve your destiny. To meet your destiny, you must be careful to make the right choices because you may only have one chance." - Patti Nunnallee

Please choose not to drink and drive!