The Last Place on Earth 

Based on the book 'Scott and Amundsen' by Roland Huntford, "The Last Place on Earth" is an exploration of the rivalry between Captain Robert F. Scott and Ronald Amundsen as they attempt to reach the South Pole.

Stars:

Martin Shaw, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Stephen Moore

Cast

Series cast summary:
Martin Shaw	...	Captain R. F. Scott 7 episodes, 1985
Sverre Anker Ousdal	...	Roald Amundsen 7 episodes, 1985
Stephen Moore	...	Dr. 'Bill' Wilson 7 episodes, 1985
Ståle Bjørnhaug	...	Olav Bjaaland 6 episodes, 1985
Tom Georgeson	...	P.O. Lashly 6 episodes, 1985
Hugh Grant	...	Cherry Garrard 6 episodes, 1985
Michael Maloney	...	Lt. 'Teddy' Evans 6 episodes, 1985
Richard Morant	...	Capt. 'Titus' Oates 6 episodes, 1985
Sylvester McCoy	...	Lt. 'Birdie' Bowers 6 episodes, 1985
Robin Soans	...	Surgeon Atkinson 6 episodes, 1985
Tom Gerrard	...	P.O. Keohane 5 episodes, 1985
Jan Hårstad	...	Helmer Hanssen 5 episodes, 1985
Erik Hivju	...	Sverre Hassel 5 episodes, 1985
Ivar Nørve	...	Oscar Wisting 5 episodes, 1985
Daragh O'Malley	...	P.O. Crean 5 episodes, 1985
Paul Rothery	...	'Silas' Wright 5 episodes, 1985
Pat Roach	...	P.O. Evans 5 episodes, 1985
Susan Wooldridge	...	Kathleen Bruce - Mrs. Scott / ... 4 episodes, 1985
Jon Eikemo	...	Adolf Lindström 4 episodes, 1985
Bill Nighy	...	Cecil Meares 4 episodes, 1985
Sven Nordin	...	Gran 4 episodes, 1985
Jirí Stanislav	...	Dimitri 4 episodes, 1985
Hans Ola Sørlie	...	Jorgen Stubberud 4 episodes, 1985
Max von Sydow	...	Fridtjof Nansen 3 episodes, 1985
Lawrence Douglas	...	Bernard Day 3 episodes, 1985
Per Theodor Haugen	...	Leon Amundsen 3 episodes, 1985
Alexander Knox	...	Sir Clements Markham 3 episodes, 1985
Toralv Maurstad	...	Hjalmar Johansen 3 episodes, 1985
Peter Jeffrey	...	Lord Curzon 3 episodes, 1985
Nils Ole Oftebro	...	Lt. Nilsen 3 episodes, 1985
Sue Robinson	...	Mrs. Ory Wilson 3 episodes, 1985
Bjørn Skagestad	...	Kristian Prestrud 3 episodes, 1985
Robin Summers	...	P.O. Clissold 3 episodes, 1985
Erik Bye	...	Andreas Beck 2 episodes, 1985
Cliff Burnett	...	Reg Skelton 2 episodes, 1985
Brian Dennehy	...	Frederick Cook 2 episodes, 1985
Julian Fox	...	Lt. Campbell 2 episodes, 1985
Astrid Folstad	...	Betty 2 episodes, 1985
Anthony Hyde	...	Dr. Simpson 2 episodes, 1985
Terry Kingley	...	Griffith Taylor 2 episodes, 1985
Jane Laurie	...	Hilda Evans 2 episodes, 1985
Peter Sands	...	Lt. Pennell 2 episodes, 1985
Nickolas Grace	...	Lord Howard De Walden 2 episodes, 1985
Richard Todd	...	Mr. Barnes 2 episodes, 1985
Richard Wilson	...	Scott Keltie 2 episodes, 1985

Storyline

Scott vs. Amundsen. It wasn't meant to be a race, but race it becomes, as the world awaits news of the first to reach the Pole. What follows is a tale of heroism, foolhardiness, selflessness and self-delusion, in a land where victory must be secondary to survival.

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Plot Keywords:

amundsen | south pole | weather | antarctica | tv mini series | 

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Taglines:

Scott and Amundsen both wanted to be first to the Pole. One of them was. The other became a hero.

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This mini-series was the subject of savage attacks in the British right-wing press, even before it had begun transmission. It was claimed that it had depicted Captain Robert Falcon Scott, usually regarded as a national hero, as an irresponsible fool whose poor decisions had cost his own life and the lives of his men. The left-wing politics of writer Trevor Griffiths were roundly attacked in these reports. However, the series itself was generally well-received.

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Goofs

In the series, Amundsen visits Dr Frederick Cook in Leavenworth Prison shortly after the publication of Scott's journal. In reality, the meeting took place more than a decade later, in 1926, when Cook was serving a sentence for his part in an alleged oil fraud.

User Reviews

So was Scott a Hero?

This series was a superb production based on Roland Huntford's book. For many years Scott was portrayed as a hero, who died on his return from the Pole. In Death he overshadowed Amundsen's achievement of being first to the pole. Huntford's book and this production, set out to dispell the legend of Scott the Hero.

The start of the series, gives an insight into the direction the whole production goes. It shows Amundsen staying with Eskimos, while Scott is facing the prospect of a court marshall. There can be little doubt in reality that the British Expedition was no match for the experienced collection of Norwegian Explorers. If it had been a sporting event, it would have been classed as a thrashing. After all Amundsens was halfway back to his base when Scott reached the Pole.

The different ideas of the two men is made clear. Amundsen knows he must be first to the pole. He can't afford to be second. He has told his country and government that he is headed for the north pole. He knows that no chances can be taken in a place as unforgiving as the Antartic. Scott however believes that the pole is his by rights, this is probably due to the mentality of the British at that period of time when they had the largest empire the world had seen. He takes only enough supplies to make it there and back, and when he falls behind schedule he starves to death.

It portrays Scotts rivalry with Shakelton, and why Scott pushed on to the Pole, as he felt he had to do better than Shakelton. For many years Scott was considered the Greater Hero. Nowadays it is reversed with Shakelton's concern for his men, is looked on more favourable, thans Scott's reckless actions to push on to the prize.

For all of Scott's mistakes, the show does not go into the bad luck that Scott suffered at the Hands of the weather. Yes, it does snow in the Antartic all the time, but the temperature in the March that year was well below the average for that time of year. Would Scott had made it back in more favourable conditions, we'll never know, but Amundsen knew it was not a place to take chances.

In summing up, this was a superb production, with good acting, directing and setting. I recommend anyone who enjoyed this to read the book as well. Also to read Scott's diary, as it is a masterpiece. Maybe he was more suited to writing than to exploring.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1985 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Last Place on Earth

Filming Locations:

Greenland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Independent Television, Renegade Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

396 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1