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Shackleton is not a biopic of the great Anglo-Irish explorer but a dramatization of the failed trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-1916. As written and directed by Charles Sturridge (Longitude), the production, filmed on real ice floes in Greenland, stays remarkably close to the facts, capturing the look of the surviving expedition photos by Frank Hurley (collected in the book South with Endurance) with great fidelity. Kenneth Branagh makes no attempt at an authentic accent but otherwise gives a powerful impression of a most commanding personality. When the expedition ship Endurance became locked in the Antarctic ice, Shackleton vowed to bring every man home alive, and against virtually impossible odds, including a 700-mile journey in an open boat through some of the worst seas in the world, he did just that. This superlative miniseries realizes the story with production values and cinematography that would not disgrace a big-budget feature (South, Hurley's 1919 silent movie featuring some motion-picture footage from the expedition, is also available on video). Intense physical drama, strong performances, and Adrian Johnston's fine score combine here to deeply moving effect, marred only a little by a rushed conclusion. With Roland Huntford, author of the definitive Shackleton biography, as production advisor, this easily stands as the benchmark for all future comparable films. --Gary S. Dalkin
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spectacular achievement,
By
This review is from: Shackleton (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (DVD)
Amazing portrayal of a magnificent failure: the story of survival is remarkable to witness. Branagh is extremely convincing as Shakleton and shows how Shakleton was a superb leader of men.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing,
By
This review is from: Shackleton (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (DVD)
To devote fully half of this very long movie to the lead-up to the voyage is a waste. Yes, it's somewhat interesting to see how Shackleton cajoled his way into raising funds, but it means the main attraction - the mind-boggling survival story - feels rushed. The special effects look very low-budget - the precarious return trip in the lifeboat through roiling seas often looks more like a brisk sail. And the last-ditch blind slide down the mountain by three frost-bitten, starving, weary men is portrayed as if they were having fun. If you'd never read any of the written accounts of the Shackleton story, you'd be left thinking, "what's the big deal?".But the DVD extras are good.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maverick Brit Explorer,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shackleton (VHS Tape)
Excellent 4-pt. drama describing Shackleton's attempt to cross Antartica and his British expedition's close brush with disaster. In the first two parts he definitely appears more a fool than courageous, particularly when he chooses to ignore the advice of Argentianian whalers who tell him the ice is the thickest it has ever been at that time of the year. We are perhaps expected to believe that the assumption of risk of this kind leads to scientific advancement. These two sections are of strong historic interest for various reasons: the beginnings of World War I, how to finance such an expedition & how the expedition was approved despite the more immediate concerns of war;the Royal Geographic Society, various British and Scottish philanthropists, including King George V. Shackleton was apparently also a womanizer, having both a wife and mistress, (perhaps) in this case a good indicator of the man's adventuresome spirit. The adventure story really gets started in parts 3 and 4 and reveals more of Shackleton as a leader of men, who promises them numerous times that "you are not going to die" despite what appear to be considerable odds to the contrary, and eventually makes good on his promise despite a harrowing 800-mile boat journey to the nearest whaling station. The men end up killing their animals for food, but they do not resort to cannibalism.BR>For pure excitement, the last 2 sections are far superior to the first two, but the whole story hangs together well, revealing him to be in the end worth his salt as a leader and then some,and not just some giddy dreamer. Shackleton was knighted for his leadership and bravery..
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