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Avalanche
Movie

Avalanche

1974 • Unknown

Woke Score
1.4
out of 10

Plot

Young climbers try to scale alpine peak and are trapped by avalanche.

Overall Series Review

Avalanche is a classic 1978 disaster film featuring a predictable but ultimately non-political narrative focused entirely on a cataclysmic natural event and the human flaws that enable it. The plot centers on a wealthy, negligent resort owner, David Shelby, whose greed leads to the disaster, and his relationships with his ex-wife, Caroline, and an environmental photographer. The characters are defined by traditional archetypes of the 1970s disaster genre—the corrupt capitalist, the separated couple, the voice of reason—and their survival instincts. The film avoids all contemporary political and cultural debates, focusing instead on man's hubris against the forces of nature and the immediate consequences of personal moral failure. There is zero evidence of modern intersectional analysis, civilizational self-hatred, or queer theory, resulting in extremely low scores across every category.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The film does not focus on race, gender, or any immutable characteristic to define virtue or vice. The villain is the wealthy, white male resort owner, but his villainy is a result of classic capitalistic greed and poor judgment, not a lecture on 'whiteness' or systemic oppression. Casting reflects the colorblind approach typical of a 1970s Hollywood production, prioritizing star power over forced diversity.

Oikophobia2/10

The central critique is aimed squarely at the individual greed of the resort owner, David Shelby, who cuts corners and ignores warnings. This is a standard 1970s trope of man vs. nature and corporate misconduct, not a hostility toward Western civilization, home, or ancestors. The narrative does not demonize institutions like family or nation; it demonizes individual negligence.

Feminism2/10

The primary female character, Caroline, is portrayed as an independent-minded photographer who is separating from her husband. Her character is a voice of emotional reason who seeks a fulfilling connection. The dynamic is a traditional love triangle and relationship drama; there are no 'Mary Sue' or 'Girl Boss' tropes, and there is no anti-natalist or anti-family messaging. The dynamic is complementarian in its focus on relationship vitality, typical of the era.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative adheres strictly to the normative structure of the era. All sexual relationships presented are between a man and a woman. Sexual identity is entirely private and not a source of public commentary or plot focus. There is no presence of gender ideology or deconstruction of the nuclear family.

Anti-Theism1/10

The catastrophic event is an act of nature precipitated by human negligence, which is a secular cause. The film contains no religious characters, no critique of Christianity, and no overt moral lecturing on religious matters. The morality of the film is objective, punishing the character whose actions were reckless and immoral with the destruction of his creation and life.