The
cinematography is beautiful from the moment they hit the ice[which they
it reality did] with wide lens shots and stunning overhead pull backs
done with helicopters which really give a sense of the isolation of
the team. Compared with some big movies – and this was low budget
– you really will be blown away. The musical themes [put toether
by Adrian Johnston] are lovely and intensely moving as they to compliment
both the isolation and comradely of the team beautifully.
In 1922 Shackleton went back once more to the Antarctic but died of
a heart attack at the whaling station on South Georgia before he was
able to set off for the ice. He was only 48. Clearly, the attraction
was more than fame and fortune – he was in love with the place.
Since then the whalers have gone and Antarctic is now the preserve of
scientists and a small but growing number of tourists. Latter-day Shackletons
have no great geographical questions to solve but still persist on doing
things like trying to ski across the continent. I think I'll settle
for the tourist ship myself, but it's vaguely comforting to know there
are still such people around. The ship which was named Endurance has
given it’s name to the Royal Navys Ice Patrol ship! HMS Endurance
carries a survey motor boat named James Caird and other vessels called
Eddie Shackleton and Dudley Docker [all will become apparent if you
watch the film].
The
film is hard to come by but when I was writing this review there were
plenty available on ebay.