In 2003, trapped in a Utah canyon by a fallen boulder, a solitary hiker freed himself with an amputation that became famous around the world. So what's it like to watch a Hollywood director turn your ordeal into entertainment? Weird and beautiful, that's what. ARON RALSTON reports from the set of 127 Hours. PLUS: James Franco on how he portrayed the outer limits of human endurance.
It's a classic dinner-party question:
Who would play you in the movie of your life? But I never thought I'd find myself on a couch next to James Franco in a suite at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, showing him how to cut off his arm.
It's January 2010, and Danny Boyle—the British director of Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, and, now, 127 Hours, the film about my six-day entrapment in a Utah slot canyon—has brought me to meet James for the first time. The actor unpacks his lunch while Danny's partner on the film, producer Christian Colson, prepares a VHS deck to show a video: my last will and testament, actually, an hourlong diary I recorded from April 26 to May 1, 2003, while an 800-pound boulder kept my right hand crushed and pinned. James wolfs down a walnut-and-spinach salad, chased with a Diet Coke. He's already shedding weight to portray my starvation, I realize, as we settle in to watch.
Immediately, a 27-year-old version of me fills the screen. "It's 3:05 on Sunday," my ghost says. "This marks my 24-hour mark of being stuck in Blue John Canyon above the Big Drop. My name is Aron Ralston …"
I've seen this tape before, and while it reminds me that I'd accepted my own imminent death, the footage has never distressed me. For others, though—especially my mom—the emotional impact is intense, even disturbing. Occasionally I glance over at James as he intently absorbs my goodbyes, thank-yous, and death-watch updates. When I explain on the tape that I've resorted to drinking my own urine, and then add in disgust, "It's no Slurpee," the face of Gucci laughs at my pitch-black humor.
Sporadically, Danny pauses the video as James interrupts with questions.
"Where did your bones break?" he asks.
Comments
Absolutely amazing, wonderful account by Aron as he describes the filming of his incredible story. It has deeply affected me from the first moment I learned of his ordeal. And now, through his book and the movie, I can understand those horrifying hours and all that he went through. Aron is my hero ... I doubt if there are many human beings who would have the courage to endure what he actually lived! When I see him on TV now, he continues to amaze me with his charm, wisdom, and love of family.
Flag ThisAron Ralston's amazing survival story and his reliving it through the filming of 127 hours are truly inspiring. I have followed this story since it first happened, and recall reading Aron's first hand account in Outside magazine in 2004. I recently saw the film with my family and thought it was terrific. As I have hiked through this part of the country at one time, I realize what a unique and special landscape it is. Aron's devotion to protecting this area should serve as an example to us all.
Flag ThisUndoubtedly one of those reads that once you start, it's hard to put down. Thanks, Aron, for being as humble as you've been in retelling your story. It's an amazing one and despite the expense of losing an arm, in many ways it seems like you refound yourself. And James' portrayal of Aron was also very commendable: http://online.jpfreek.com/2010/11/21/127-hours/
Flag Thisfirst read it in the Outside magazine in 2004. truly inspirational !
Flag Thisi feel so bad for him. he is so brave and he seems like such a great man. he was trapped under the boulders for so long. Aron is like a hero for everyone and i am sure so many people feel so sorry for him. i know i feel really really sorry for that young amazing man. i am very thankful that he is still living. i love that man! he is like a family member to me.i sure hope his arm feels better soon! Aron is the best! Aron, you rock! you have so much courage and strength for who you are! -Amanda
Flag Thisi feel so bad for him. he is so brave and he seems like such a great man. he was trapped under the boulders for so long. Aron is like a hero for everyone and i am sure so many people feel so sorry for him. i know i feel really really sorry for that young amazing man. i am very thankful that he is still living. i love that man! he is like a family member to me.i sure hope his arm feels better soon! Aron is the best! Aron, you rock! you have so much courage and strength for who you are! -Amanda
Flag ThisWhat I really want to know is how this changed his young life.. Do you care more about your family? How about the people you meet in general? This movie actually mad me a little bit mad. Selfish person -
Flag ThisInspirational? Brave for sure. ..
Flag ThisI have watched the movie like 10 times now. I am so amazed by the amount of courage that it took for him to do what he actually did especially under the circumstances. You have to remember that by the time he actually figured out how to get past the breaking of his own bones that he was in really bad shape. He was so dehydrated and starved. Sleep deprived and so on. Hardly the shape that anyone should be in to do an amputation.He really did show an amazing amount of inner strength 2 do it.
Flag ThisExcellent film!Difficult to watch~knowing the inevitable.I had very little knowledge of this story prior to just renting the dvd.It definately turned my "nurse"stomach~i can assure you of that!But,it also evoked so much emotion in me as well...by the time he hit that 1st big,filthy puddle~i too, was a puddle!I got my 15y.o. daughter and her friends to watch it tonite and they loved it!Thank you Aron and to all who had apart in helping you tell your story(over&over again!) God bless!
Flag ThisHi Aron! So like I just saw the movie for the first time tonight. Your story is incredible! Did you ever start thinking about God or how Jesus bled for you? I'm sure that even if I had not prayed for years I would have started praying then! How did this experience effect your relationship with Jesus? It made me really appreciate that I have arms and legs and that God is so good to us! What an incredible testimony you have!
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