Shackleton (TV 2002)

The true story of Shackleton's 1914 Endurance expedition to the the South Pole and his epic struggle to lead his 28 man crew to safety after his ship was crushed in the pack ice.

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writer:

Charles Sturridge

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, John Grillo, Paul Humpoletz

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth Branagh	...	Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton
John Grillo	...	Franks
Paul Humpoletz	...	Man in Audience (as Paul Humpeletz)
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Emily Shackleton
Eve Best	...	Eleanor Shackleton
Mark Tandy	...	Frank Shackleton
Cicely Delaney	...	Cecily Shackleton
Christian Young	...	Raymond Shackleton
Embeth Davidtz	...	Rosalind Chetwynd
Gino Melvazzi	...	Head Waiter
Danny Webb	...	Perris
Lorcan Cranitch	...	Frank Wild
Michael Culkin	...	Jack Morgan
Mark McGann	...	Tom Crean
Abby Ford	...	Marcie

Storyline

The true story of Shackleton's 1914 Endurance expedition to the the South Pole and his epic struggle to lead his 28 man crew to safety after his ship was crushed in the pack ice.

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Plot Keywords:

ice | endurance | south pole | penguin | ship stuck in ice | 

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Taglines:

On the brink of death - courage was his only weapon.

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK Australia

Language:

English Norwegian German

Release Date:

7 April 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shacketon la odisea de la Antartida

Filming Locations:

Greenland

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

206 min 206 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene in which Shakleton threatens to throw his gloves overboard if the crewman doesn't take them is based on a true incident. In actuality it was Frank Hurley who wouldn't take them.

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Goofs

When the men start hauling their boats over the ice, we see the name "J. Caird" clearly painted on one of them. A few minutes later Shackleton announces he has decided to name the boats and unveils the painted names for the first time.

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Quotes

Sir Ernest Shackleton: First let me say that if war is declared, any man who wishes to leave the expedition to serve his country is free to do so. It is clear to me where our first duty lies, and this morning I telegraphed the First Lord of the Admiralty and put our ship, and every one of us, at his disposal. We now await his decision. I hope you will forgive me, but I particularly asked that if he saw fit to employ us in the service of our country, that might he allow us to stay together, erhaps aboard a destroyer. ...

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Connections

Version of Icebound in the Antarctic (1982)

User Reviews

Unbelievable.

NOTE: Contains brief plot summary!

If this was a fictional story you watched in the cinema, you would leave thinking how unrealistic it was. You would know, after all, that keeping twenty-eight men alive in the wastelands of Antarctica, stranded and starving, is an impossible task, particularly set at the beginning of the twentieth century with the limited technology available. However, this is fact. This story did happen. And this is one of the most accurate films depicting the story of the "Endurance" expedition that you could hope for.

The story of Shackleton has passed on into legend. His attempt to cross the Antarctic continent on foot ended in disaster; his ship, the Endurance, crushed by the ice fields, leaving its crew on the ice sheet. Determined to survive, and displaying all the valour and courage he had demonstrated in his previous expedition (the "Nimrod", in which he turned back less than 100 miles from the pole in order to save the lives of his men), he began an incredible journey to the uninhabited Elephant Island, before having to contemplate a trip to South Georgia: a trip of 800 miles in a lifeboat...

This wonderful two-part adventure is accurate to almost every detail. A lot of research went into this film, consulting books, articles, experts, and even the diaries of the men themselves. And it doesn't make the mistake of solely confining itself to the story of Shackleton's heroism; indeed, the first two hours concentrates largely on the effort Sir Ernest put into forming the expedition, and the many obstacles that stood in his path - financially and emotionally.

Directed by award-winning Charles Sturridge, the casting is superb, particularly in the case of the protagonist, who - it must be said - looks a little like Shackleton himself. Well done, Celestia Fox! From Kenneth Branagh, a resourceful and irresistible Ernest Shackleton, down to to ex-Coronation Street's Ian Mercer as the simple Holdness, every character is brought into the 21st century with as much life as they had on the frozen shores of Elephant Island, thanks partly to a bombastic score of Adrian Johnston's invention.

There are only a couple of criticisms that one could make; for example, there continue to be references back to England, but there is no reunion at the end of the film between Shackleton and Emily, which could have been a way of saying "I'm back". I feel, however, that this continues to give "Shackleton" more character, as Sir Ernest only felt comfortable when exploring; never when at home with his family.

Another slight flaw is that there is next to no mention of the fate of the Aurora expedition, the crew assigned the task of aiding Shackleton to the other side of the continent (had the expedition gone to plan, of course!) However, this does not really relate to Shackleton himself, and indeed Sir Ernest seemed to forget about them until his men were brought over from Elephant Island.

Really, there is nothing major wrong with this film. It fully deserves 10 out of 10, and despite the DVD having no extras whatsoever, it is still worth the £15 for the pure entertainment you are given for the most enjoyable four hours of the small screen.