It was mostly filmed on location at Somerset County, Pennsylvania and some scenes were shot on the actual Quecreek Mine.

The film tells the real story of nine miners trapped underground and the attempts to rescue them.

Disney reportedly paid "$1.35 million ($150,000 to each miner) for the television and book rights.

[3] Anita Gates from The New York Times wrote: "The film captures the elation of the rescue and of renewed hope along the way but doesn't begin to convey the drama of the actual events in Quecreek, Pa. And this was a story in which the news coverage could make a person cry.

"[2] Walter Chaw of Film Freak Central wrote: "Tweaking emotions is a fragile pastime, and there's a thin line between "tribute" and "mawkish.