Diving Into the Unknown (2016) User Reviews

Not a very technical document

[halle-5 · 8/10 · 14 March 2016]

I enjoyed this documentary very much, but that was partly because I knew so much about the incident beforehand, having read about it in the news and diving forums. If I would have seen only the documentary, as a diver I would have wanted more details, technical data, analysis of the accident etc.

On the other hand, people who don't know diving terminology could find the lingo difficult to understand. Most used terms are not explained and neither are many of the reasons why cave diving in those depths is so dangerous. Maybe the English subtitles are easier to understand if diving slang is not used. Can't tell because I haven't seen those.

This is not a very detailed analysis of the events, but more a story about friendship and the psychological effects of the accident on the fellow divers.

The dead bodies can be seen briefly, but there are no close-ups which would make the footage graphic. In my opinion the most graphic parts of the documentary are the discussions held when planning for the recovery dive. What is the condition of the bodies, what equipment should be recovered etc.

Delve into it

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 7 February 2018]

We get to really experience something here. Friends who will go beyond anything one can imagine to recover the bodies of the people who have been lost. And the setup to the whole thing is important. You need to know what they are doing, and what they are letting themselves into. So while we still get maps and explanations during the movie, the beginning sets up something big.

Seeing the men (and woman) going underwater is incredible. It takes quite a toll on your body. But it also is exhausting ... so you can imagine how they feel. It's really draining and I don't think it will inspire too many people to do similar things. But it shows what people/human kind can achieve when there is a huge will and a force that drives you on ...

The depths of human endurance and courage....

[s3276169 · 7/10 · 29 September 2019]

I used to dive but never went cave diving and not without good reason. As this documentary shows, its an extremely dangerous sport. You have to be a certain type of very calm person with nerves of steel and certain physical attributes, to pull it off. That said, as the team admit and sadly as this story shows, you may still meet your end.

The focus of this film is the story not the technicalities of diving. That said, when you see how deep these people go and the cave systems they navigate you can but be impressed by their courage and determination. Many of us would find the extreme depths, length of dive and the sense of claustrophobia, overwhelming.

In short, if you like diving this is really pretty addictive viewing. It has a simple style but really this is all that's needed. The story tells itself and shows not just how pursuit of a passion shapes us as people but also how friendships bind people together.

7/10.

What it is to face your worst nightmare, overcome your fear and keep extraordinary peace of mind

[anayas80-495-39403 · 10/10 · 6 October 2016]

To put simply, Brotherhood and Friendship goes a few layers deeper in this sport than any other that I have known. What it is to face the elements of technical diving, especially underwater cave diving, is beyond lot of normal dwelling people's imagination and that is captured well in this simplistic documentary. It is a horrible experience to all involved and of course, great losses to the victims' families and their circle of friends. But these guys, despite the odds, went about their way of honouring what it all meant for them and for that it truly is a great tribute.

If you ask me, it has given me a bit of inspiration that someday I will become a technical diver and be good at it. There is this crazy in-explainable thing about it. Expedition, exploration of uncharted territory is what one will see from outside but inside the minds of these courageous professionals it's different world. Psychologically, the peace of mind, calmness and stillness achieved to be able to successfully carry out such dives and recovery operation is testament to some of the best and most valuable qualities of human being.

There are no frills and no bells and whistles. Go in with open mind and keep your calm. This is probably one of the best documentaries I have watched in long time.

very encouraging and educational in the same time.

[torchiam-192-639252 · 9/10 · 15 June 2021]

This is not a technical documentary about cave dive.but on the other hand,it teachs you a lot of how it is like to be a strong diver by portraying real divers on site while facing critical situations.

If you want to learn cave dive,get lessons,read manuals.if you want some real field experience of being a tech diver,look no further,this one is really good.