South: Amazon.ca: Ernest Shackleton, Captain F. Worsley, Lieutenant J. Stenhouse, Captain L. Hussey, Dr. McIlroy, Mr. Wordie, Dr. Macklin, Captain Frank Wild, Tom Crean, Mr. James, Mr. Clark (II), Mr. Greenstreet, Frank Hurley: DVD

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When Frank Hurley loaded his cameras onto the Endurance in August 1914, ready to set sail with Ernest Shackleton's Trans-Antarctic expedition, he had no idea of what he would end up filming. This silent movie, released in 1919, contains Hurley's record of the expedition, and of what happened when the ship became stuck in the ice, leaving the explorers with little hope of rescue. Of course, we know that they were eventually saved, almost two years after setting sail, thanks to an astonishing 800-mile voyage by Shackleton and a handful of men in a tiny boat, but this film shows the resilience of these stranded men, even when rescue seemed impossible. The opening title card describes what follows as a tale of British pluck, and it's remarkable to see how the explorers maintained their good spirits even when things were at their bleakest: training dogs, learning to ski, and continuing their scientific research. Hurley even filmed the moment when the ship, crushed by the ice, finally sank: a few seconds of film that are agonizing to watch even now. And when the ordeal ended, when lesser men might be resting and recovering, Hurley took the time to film the wildlife of South Georgia and the whaling station to which the exhausted men were taken. This freshly restored print is in wonderful condition and allows us to see, for the first time since the film's release, an incredible adventure brought to life. --Simon Leake

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South is the extraordinary chronicle of one of history's greatest epics of courage and leadership. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton embarked on an expedition to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. Before it could reach shore, the explorer's ship, Endurance, was trapped in an ice pack, held frozen in a sea of icebergs for eight months and finally crushed. After five months adrift on ice floes, the crew embarked on a perilous sea voyage to rocky, windswept Elephant Island. From there, Shackleton led five of his men on a miraculous 850-mile journey across unimaginably dangerous seas in a small open boat to get help from a whaling station in South Georgia. The explorer made three failed rescue attempts for the rest of the crew before finally succeeding--nearly two years after first setting sail. Frank Hurley, a veteran cinematographer and member of the Endurance crew, shot this beautiful and moving film as their incredible adventure unfolded.

Endurance-The Shackleton Expedition May 1 2002

By Dan Moore

Format:VHS Tape

With regard to Paulette and Todd's queries; I believe the film they are seeking is called "Endurance-The Shackleton Expedition". I saw this film in a Seattle theatre about 2 months ago. It does contain original footage and is narrated; about 90 minutes in length.I would imagine that it will soon be available on VHS/DVD inasmuch as it's first run should be over.It's an amazing story of perseverence under the most difficult of conditions and a must see for the entire family(although children under 12 or so might be bored).

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So what WAS the title Paulette Struckman was seeking? Mar 29 2002

By Todd

Format:DVD

In her own review of "South," Paulette Struckman mentions another Shackleton movie using original footage but narrated. I believe that's the film I've been seeking. Did she ever find it? Does anyone else know that title? It's not "South," and it must have been released in the early 1990s. Please help. Thanks!

South:Shackleton and the Endurance Nov 9 2001

By An 11-year old viewer

South is a wonderful video featuring real motion footage from Frank Hurley's cameras on the expedition. Even though there is no sound they added words and nice piano music in the backround. The video features everything from pictures of their departure, to picture of the dogs on deck, to pictures of the ship being crushed, falling apart, and its final sinking. This film shows the truth of what really happened. I highly recomend this film.

SOUTH

I was disappointed in this video. I expected the original film footage of the expedition, but the "tinny" piano in the background and the subtitles were distracting. Read more

Published on July 4 2001

Interesting, but I preferred the book!

My review mirrors the experience of another commentator, Lisa Flaherty, (Review January 12, 2000). Like her I had moved from Alexander, to Shackelton, to Lansing,and recently... Read more

Published on Oct 30 2000 by Matthew J. Lambert

A milestone documentary for film history buffs

The excellent Milestone DVD transfer of "South--Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance expedition" is a must for students and collectors of early documentary film and... Read more

Published on Sep 19 2000 by Grant A Thompson

A grand failure of an expedition.

I was recently lucky enough to see this restored film on thesilver screen, thanks to a theater chain that specializes in classicmovies. Read more

Published on April 30 2000 by Mark Savary

A Rare Cinematographic Documentary of a Legendary Journey

So spoiled are we in these days of cinematographic special effects that we cannot sometimes appreciate and recognize a landmark piece of film footage when we see it. Read more

Published on Feb 7 2000 by Carole-Terese Naser

After Picturing it in my mind...a let down

I too became a Shackleton junky for a while. Reading Caroline Alexander's book first, continuing on to "South," and then buying and reading Lansing's excellent pictorial... Read more

Published on Jan 13 2000 by Lisa A. Flaherty

The book's better, but this was good.

My husband, my father and I all read the book and then watched this video. It's amazing to have video at all from over 80 years ago. Read more

Published on Jan 4 2000 by Karen Pitts

good, not great

While impressive, this video could have been better edited. the music gets numbing after awhile, and the grainy footage while inspiring gets to you in this great length. Read more

Published on Dec 26 1999 by brian monihan

Took the Journey

From Nov. 29 to Dec. 12 I had the pleasure of following Sir Ernest Shackleton's Journey while on board a Russian research vessel in the Antarctic. Read more

Published on Dec 18 1999 by Caryl Dawson

South

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