The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition (2001)
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Theatrical Release: Sep 21, 2001 Limited
Box Office: $2,071,494
Synopsis: In August 1914, seasoned British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton embarks on his third excursion into Antarctic territory, planning to cross the Antarctic continent on foot--something no other explorer has attempted before. Only a day's journey from his final destination, Shackleton's... In August 1914, seasoned British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton embarks on his third excursion into Antarctic territory, planning to cross the Antarctic continent on foot--something no other explorer has attempted before. Only a day's journey from his final destination, Shackleton's ship, The Endurance, is trapped in pack-ice, where she will remain frozen for the next ten months, all throughout the harsh Antarctic winter. With dwindling rations, blizzards, boredom, and illness to contend with, and only each other and their faithful sled dogs for company, the crew grows restless, and Shackleton has his hands full trying to keep the peace on board. A turning point occurs when ice floes finally threaten to crush the ship, and the men are forced to take to the lifeboats. Now Shackleton, abandoning any remaining notions of completing the mission, decides instead to bring back his crew alive at any cost, even though the nearest outpost of civilization is on an island 800 miles away. Historic film clips of The Endurance shot by expedition photographer Frank Hurley, new color footage of the eerily beautiful Antarctic landscape, as well as commentary by surviving family members and narration by Liam Neeson all combine to make watching this documentary a gripping experience. [More]
Genre: Education/General Interest
Starring: Roland Huntford, John Blackborow, Peter Wordie, Marie Crean O'Brien, Julian Ayer
DVD Info
Release:
Sep 2, 2003
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 2.40
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
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Reviews
The interesting and almost unbelievable subject matter legitimizes the legend of Ernest Shackleton, even if it is a little slow in the process.
And what a story it is, an adventure filled with harrowing close calls, death defying weather, and the indomitable will to survive.
The key to making this work is to keep the suspense building, which Butler does admirably.
Fascinatingly evokes not just the gruelling, first-person details of this particular polar expedition, but the waning moments of the entire spirit of romantic, white-European Boy's Own adventurism.
Beautifully blends interviews with scholars and descendants of that crew, still photos and movie film from the trip and re-creations of the events of the voyage.
The tale is so damn compelling, you could do a documentary hosted by Ben Stein in boring teacher mode and the audience would still be gnawing on their fingernails.
The great strength of this documentary is that when it's all over, you half feel you've been to the South Pole, too.
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by: Tsunami 2/24/02
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