Last Breath: The British documentary
- Lynn S. Cason
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
The British documentary "Last Breath" from 2019 focused on an underwater catastrophe involving saturation divers working in the North Sea. Co-director Alex Parkinson wasn't finished with the search and rescue story, despite the film's favorable reviews and respectable audience. "Last Breath," the director's comeback, dramatizes the crisis by exchanging real video and dialogue for a more cinematic comprehension of the participants and the stakes in this pressing circumstance. Reliving the event is quite an experience, and Parkinson does a fantastic job of bringing the emergency's intensity and emotionality back. His cast is diverse, and their impassioned performances make for a well-made film.

Chris (Finn Cole) works as a saturation diver, frequently dispatched to extreme depths for search and rescue missions, primarily managing the extensive network of cables that stretch across the ocean floor. When called for repair duties, Chris departs from his devoted girlfriend and heads to the North Sea, where he is accompanied by Duncan (Woody Harrelson), a seasoned diver nearing retirement with this final assignment. Alongside them is David (Simu Liu), an experienced diver ready to carry out his usual tasks. The trio is lowered into the depths, secured to a ship that is struggling against a fierce storm, complicating the operation as Captain Andre (Cliff Curtis) works to maintain stability, while Craig (Mark Bonnar) oversees the mission with assistance from the crew. As massive waves toss the ship, Chris and David are displaced, leading to a critical moment when Chris’s oxygen line becomes entangled in a metal gate and ultimately snaps. With only ten minutes of oxygen remaining, Chris fights against the darkness and cold, searching for a safe refuge. Meanwhile, David returns to Duncan, who is waiting for a rescue plan to be devised, prompting Craig to mobilize the crew before Chris exhausts his air supply.
“Last Breath Myflixer” is a procedural film that strives to capture the essence of humanity. The screenplay invests effort in ensuring that the audience comprehends Chris's background, particularly his relationship with his girlfriend, who loves him deeply yet constantly worries for his safety. This concern is well-founded, as Chris frequently descends into perilous depths of the ocean, working in a role that requires him to tackle technical challenges under demanding circumstances. He is accompanied by Duncan, an old friend and mentor facing his struggles, as he is being edged out of the profession due to his age, yet he is not ready to retire just yet. David, on the other hand, remains composed and focused on the task at hand, which places the three men inside a confined “bell” as they descend into the depths.
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