We’ll never tire of witnessing people overcome the odds and survive the most dire circumstances. Just look at the worldwide coverage of the Chilean miners’ rescue. But it prompts us to ask: How we would cope in the same situation?

It’s the same question people posed to themselves eight years ago when Aron Ralston’s tale of survival made headlines across the globe.

Ralston was the 28-year-old mountain climber who ventured off alone to Utah’s remote Canyonlands National Park as he’d done countless times before. Only this time the hike proved life changing when a loose boulder crushed his arm and trapped him in an isolated canyon.

Over five days later, having cut his own arm off with a blunt pen knife, descended a 65ft wall and hiked eight miles before he met another human being, Ralston was finally rescued.

What happened during those 127 hours in the wilderness intrigued millions, including the Trainspotting director Danny Boyle.

The result is 127 Hours, which has already garnered a raft of award nominations including three Golden Globes, one of which is for James Franco’s performance as Ralston.

Boyle was aware that he was about to attempt something that sounded impossible.

“We were going to make an action movie in which the hero can’t move,” laughs Boyle, 54.

The film’s visceral grasp, which grabs audiences the moment the opening credits roll, is testament to both Boyle’s imaginative skills and Franco’s remarkable talent.

We see Ralston flying through the colourful desert on his mountain bike, scrambling over red rocks and leaping with abandon into pure blue pools.

Then the world stops for Aron and from that moment you’re with him through every emotionally charged second – every fantasy, dream, memory and regret – as he moves from the depths of despair to reach a recommitment to life.