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SALT LAKE CITY — It was a news story in 2009 that's been hard to forget — the tragic rescue attempt at the Nutty Putty Cave in Utah County. Now a young Utah filmmaker is telling the story in a movie titled "The Last Descent."
Isaac Halasima, who used to work at KSL TV News, says he was always impressed with what he had heard about the story. He hopes his movie will celebrate love and a life well-lived, rather than loss.
On Thanksgiving weekend 2009, teams of rescuers worked to pry John Jones, a medical student in his second year at the University of Virginia, out of the Nutty Putty Cave. Born in St. George, he and his wife, Emily — who was pregnant — and their daughter had traveled home to see his parents for the holiday.
The rescuers squeezed through narrow passageways. They could see Jones' feet. His head was down, his body plugged a narrow tunnel 10 to 14 inches wide.
Sgt. Eldon Packer of the Utah County Sheriff's Office said at the time, "Where he is trapped, he is on a bend, so there's no way to really get a hold on him to be able to pull directly straight back."
After nearly 28 hours, Jones died. His body remains in the now sealed cave.
Seven years later, this story is now a feature film. Halasima wrote, directed and edited "The Last Descent."
"(I wanted to) take this amazing person that I know I definitely could relate to and see if we can put a twist on it that makes it inspiring,” he said.
He does it by first focusing on the love story of John and Emily. The actors call them remarkable people. Alexis Johnson, who plays Emily, says their relationship began by emails, then phone calls, then a meeting. Emily took Johnson to every location in the film. She was impressed. "Just her unwavering faith and fortitude and perseverance in such a tragic time."
Chadwick Hopson plays John Jones and knew from reading the script that John was unusually good. "John, from the first moment you meet him on screen and everything you hear about him, he's the best of everyone, combined."
Johnson added, "I think it was Mother Teresa who said, ‘a life not lived for others is not a life.' John lived for other people and that's a unique quality to have. And we all kind of want to remember that."
The film was shot entirely in Utah, with exteriors at the Nutty Putty cave site and interiors on sets. But it was still claustrophobic for Chadwick.
"We were fitting the cave, the week of pre-production, before shooting. They were like, 'oh, yea, go ahead, throw the top on.' And they did and that moment where it closed, I went ‘oh, man. …’”
Both Halasima and Landon Henneman — who plays the lead rescuer — explored the cave as young teens with church groups. "I've actually been in the Nutty Putty cave, though, because I grew up here."
As many as 5,000 people a year made it a recreation destination. Henneman's character, Aaron, is a composite of several real-life members of the search team. At one point, he and John realize they both served Latter-day Saint missions — Spanish–speaking — and in a touching scene, they sing a hymn together.
Henneman is also grateful for John's wife, Emily, who shared her story. "It's just amazing to see a person who goes through something so hard, revisit it and share it and help us tell the best story."
The real Emily hopes audiences will come to know the real John Jones. "The spiritual side of things. John was just so solid. I think a lot of us felt that way. We looked to him because he was such an example of faith and strength that way," she said.
John’s father, Leon Jones, says the family believes they will be reunited. “There is an incredible hope out there for us. We know that we’ll be together as a family again with John. And that makes me feel really happy when I can remember that.”
When asked if he's worried the tragedy will keep people from seeing the film, Halasima said yes, but you have to be willing to take risks. "If you want to use art for what art was meant to be, which is creating feelings and changing lives and helping people remember what it's like to be human, then I think you should tackle the hard thing. You should go with it, because if it works, people won’t forget it.”
John Jones' family has been supportive of this film and released a statement: "John will always be remembered for his genuine love of his family and friends, passion for adventure, goofy sense of humor and unwavering faith. The heroic acts of the men and woman who worked tirelessly to free him will never be forgotten. We hope those who view the movie are inspired to live and love selflessly, and are comforted knowing that hope can be found in the wake of tragedy."
"The Last Descent" opens in Utah theaters Friday.
