“The Last Descent” DVD (reviewed by Trudy Thompson)

Review
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Title: The Last Descent
Rating: PG
Publisher/Distributor: Excel Entertainment
Genre: Biographical DVD
Year Made: 2016
Feature Running Time: 105 Minutes
Binding: DVD or Blue Ray
ISBN: N/A
Price: $16.99- $24.99

Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association For Mormon Letters

Excel Entertainment has given us previous Mormon-themed films such as God’s Army, The Work & The Glory series, 17 Miracles, Pride & Prejudice, etc. Once again, they have created and delivered an outstanding new film that not only tells a gripping and true story, but also a story of love, faith, dignity, hope, composure, and steadfastness.

Many in Utah are familiar with the Nutty Putty Cave in Utah County. It was first discovered and explored in 1960. It has long been a destination for beginning cavers, and many a teenage boy gathered friends and went exploring within those walls. Even entire Scout troops were brought there by their leaders to teach them the fine points of caving. It was long considered a “safe” cave, and up to 10,000 people a year visited the 1,400 feet of chutes and tunnels in the cave. People stood in line sometimes for hours in order to enter the popular spot. It was given the name ” Nutty Putty” by its founder, Dale Green, because of the soft. brown, “nutty putty” clay in the cave.

There have been five high profile rescues in 10 years from the cave, and it was briefly closed in 2004 after two people got stuck in the cave within one week of each other. Then, in 2009, due to the popularity of the spot, it was closed for a short period of time to create an online reservation system.

The cave had only been open for six months when a young medical student by the name of John Jones decided to enter it with his brother Josh, and several of their friends. John had flown to Utah with his wife and 13 month old daughter to spend Thanksgiving with his family. John was anxious to go caving; something he had grown up doing with his brother and father, but which he had not done in several years. The decision was made by this small band of eleven young men to enter the cave together two days before Thanksgiving.

Thus begins the poignant, moving, sad at times, uplifting at other times, unforgettable story of 26 year old John Jones.

Upon entering the cave, with all the proper gear, the group decided to split up in search of a narrow but navigable passage called the Birth Canal. It was during this search that John found himself in a tunnel unable to turn around. So he kept going, likely thinking he was in the canal. He saw a fissure that dropped nearly straight down, appearing to widen out at the bottom, thereby giving him a place to turn around. Tragically, John was wrong, and he became stuck in a 10 inch wide side of the crevice, nearly totally upside down.

It is at this point in the movie when the true story of John Jones becomes both gripping and moving. John’s
brother Josh finds him and attempts to free him, but without luck. Josh leaves the cave and immediately summons rescue personnel. Multiple attempts are made to free John and many rescue methods are discussed and tried.

Rescue and emergency personnel devise a pulley system to bring John up and out of the cave. They feverishly work to attach the pulleys within the walls of the cave and experiment with it to see if it can hold and carry his weight.

For those who do not know the outcome of this story, I hesitate to give away the ending of the movie. Suffice it to say that there were many touching and memorable scenes in this gripping story.

I was moved by the fact that so many people came together to rescue John the 27 hours he was stuck in the cave. In addition to rescuers who worked around the clock, members of the community arrived with food for the rescuers and family members, and who offered support and prayers for those who took turns going down to rescue John.

There was one particular scene in which I struggled to maintain my composer. When one of the rescuers reaches a spot nearby to the trapped man, John starts asking him about his faith. The rescuer doesn’t say much, but only indicates that he is not really active in any church. As they talk, John struggles to stay awake and to keep breathing. Suddenly, the rescuer starts to sing the well known hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and John joins in. Then, other rescuers higher up in the cave, even one at the entrance, join in singing. Everyone was focused on the main and all encompassing goal of protecting and rescuing John, and keeping him positive and hopeful.

The most memorable scene, one that is etched in my memory forever, is the one where John’s wife Emily comes to the site to maintain a vigil for her trapped husband. Communication equipment is lowered to him, whereby they can communicate. She kneels above ground at the entrance to the cave, and speaks of her love for him, reminds him of their baby daughter, and of their unborn son due in few months. She encourages him to stay strong, and promises him they will get him out.

Do not be afraid to see this movie because you are afraid it will be sad and discouraging. There are many powerful and uplifting messages contained in this well portrayed story. While I would prefer that my young grandchildren not see this until they are older, older children and all adults will be left feeling that they can live a little better, be stronger in their faith, provide service to those around them, and, most importantly, they will want to re-evaluate their priorities in life. They will realize that in the hustle and bustle of work, education,and earning a living, people, especially our loved ones, must and should always come first. How can you go wrong with a powerful message like that?