ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Abegail Noëlle While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

saila-41726 Love this series that is so true to the expedition journals and photographs. Some of the scenes are exactly as the original pictures and films by Hurley. It so often happens that the story is twisted and dramatized a bit too much, but not here. Super! Great performances and meticulous attention to detail is very much appreciated. The clothing is also true to the originals that the crew wore, and the men are even made to look very alike their characters. Our only critique is that at times the men seem far too clean and well-shaven. Also, they surely were not going about with their coats open and without gloves, were they...? However, at other times they seem very authentic. I could easily watch a double long version and enjoy that very much. It seems that an epic, gripping journey was cut rather short at many places and the months of struggle on ice, and weeks at sea, were not reflected enough in the short seances. However, it is understandable that that would have been tedious for most spectators. For an Endurance-journey-aficionado no length is too much. So; Top marks! I want to watch this again and again, a great great series.

roger-395 I have read quite a lot on Shackleton and Antarctic exploration more generally, and, the movie Shackleton provides a reasonably decent introduction to the man and what has been called the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration." In terms of exploration technique, Shackleton was more like Amundsen than Scott but in fact he exhibited something of both. Shackleton was burdened by his English background but liberated somewhat by his career in the Merchant Marine. Scott was an RN officer and suffered from ego and Victorian overconfidence. Shackleton originally tried to obtain a craft like Nansen's Fram, which was used in an Arctic Drift of some 3 years in the 1890s but the lack of funds forced him to obtain the ship that he eventually used; a well-made craft, suitable for use in ice but not built to withstand the crushing pressures of moving ice. Whereas a ship with a rounded hull like Fram was simply forced to the surface by ice pressure, Endurance, with its squared-off sides, was gripped by ice and easily crushed.What Shackleton accomplished is perhaps unparalleled in the annals of survival during any era. Surviving for more than a year on ice floes in tents and then navigating in small boats to an island hundreds of miles distant required more than skill and physical endurance. Shackleton was imbued with considerable luck but he also understood the capabilities of men under pressure and how best to harness human will. He was also unquestionably brave. Perhaps even more remarkable than his survival on the ice and trip to Elephant Island, was his "Boat Journey" across the "Roaring 40s" to New South Whales; after spending almost 2 years out of doors! This journey was successful not so much because of Shackleton but owing to the navigational skills of Skipper Frank Woosley, who wrote a book about it (Shackelton's Boat Journey); a remarkable book that fills in the details left out of the movie and the book about the popular 1914-1916 expedition on which the movie was based. Had Woolsey been so much as a half degree off in his calculation, Shackleton would have missed New South Wales and died somewhere in the South Atlantic.In the 1980s, several mountain climbers attempted the journey across New South Wales. These men were in excellent physical condition and had modern equipment. One man ended up with a broken leg and the trip took much longer than that required by Shackleton. The leader of the 1980s group was unable to understand how Shackleton made the trek at all without maps, compass, equipment of any kind, and in a weakened condition after more than two years of exposure to the elements and poor food.Were Shackleton and his men a breed apart? Could anyone living today survive such an experience? What humanity attained before the Industrial Revolution and mechanical power became widespread is remarkable. Humans have become dependent on all manner of technological aids and it remains to be seen if even well trained and experienced people could attain the achievements of our ancestors. Keep in mind that while Shackleton's journey was extraordinary, it was not the only story of its type. Scott's tragic run for the South Pole is incredible in its own right; although marred by Scott's egotism, ethnocentrism, and ignorance. Peary's adventures in the Arctic are rather incredible but then so were the deprivations experienced by most men who were foolish enough to risk Arctic and Antarctic exploration during that period. Perhaps the Norweigians alone can boast that their polar explorations were the best organized and equipped, staffed by qualified men who were used to the cold and willing to adapt whatever techniques that allowed them to achieve their objectives. Virtually every English expeditions was marred by disease and death while at the same time exemplary of valor and bravery.The movie is in my opinion reasonably accurate, with fine performances, and a compelling story. I never found the movie to drag and wished it was a little longer.

paulgeaf I have read about and watched documentary programs of this expedition and the hugely motivational and enigmatic Ernest Shackleton before seeing this version of it. From the very beginning there was a good, professional look and feel to this movie. A lot of time is spent on the 'background information' before the actual voyage. Don't be impatient though. The voyage begins and then you feel like you had better strap yourself to your seat as the pace and emotive content of the film comes at you like a runaway train. I cannot give enough compliments for this film. Please, if you get the chance, sit back, relax and watch a bit of history...when men were men and all that :) [smile]

bob the moo Earnest Shackleton is a lecturer and one-time adventurer who plotted a course to the North Pole but had to turn back when lives were at risk. However once the North Pole is crossed he plans a journey across the southern pole. Despite funding difficulties he sets out in 1914 on The Endeavour. Their journey to the south is dangerous but once there, their journey takes on new consequences as Shackleton's drive takes them into the ice flow where their ship is crushed by the ice and sinks. He attempts to lead his crew to safety.Brannagh always seems to dig out worthy films to star in and this retelling of history is just typical of him. The story is well told and, although it is stripped to the bones in some respects, it is on the money for the most part. The telling brings out some of the feeling of dread well but tries too hard to bring out the human drama. By cutting back to England and Shackleton's wife in particular, the story is slowed down a little – to the detriment of the expedition. At almost four hours this was bound to drag a little so it is understandable, but it could easily have been brought down in running time I felt.However the overall production looks great – gone are the days when TVM always meant low budgets and average actors. This has the feel of a blockbuster film but all the leisure and pace of a mini-series. The only problem is that the film feels very weighty, indeed this is due to the subject matter, but the worthiness of the film doesn't help lighten the pace.The acting is superb all round – you never doubt that these men are in this situation, and many of the English touches are spot on. Brannagh does another historical figure role that he does so well. In the first part he allows us to see Shackleton's drive and, perhaps, arrogance, as the cause of the events, but in part two he plays it much straighter, much more the determined leader. While this is fair and well done, I would have liked to see more of the human in him – this only comes out occasionally in the second part.Overall this is a slow paced film and it is a long one. It is a good representation of fact and is an interesting story. The production values are high and it is well acted, however those with short attention spans or a need to see things explode need not apply.