The Yukon Assignment (2018) User Reviews

Refreshingly frank and honest

[thekarmicnomad · 6/10 · 12 September 2021]

A father and son take an unassisted kayak trip down the Yukon.

This is just two men on a trip.

It is not an adventurer trying to prove the damages of climate change, or a celebrity following the path of an historic character. It is just two very ordinary men going on a trip in a remote area of the world.

This makes this film a little different:

Production is basic, there are no pickup-shots or HD drone shots.

I actually found this refreshing and it made the documentary more immersive.

As there is no subtext the "story" of the expedition is simple too. So don't expect any staged encounters or moving speeches.

Just two very reserved, very busy, very British men who have taken some time out to goon an adventure together.

This is very honest and feels very real - which can make it seem dull in comparison to other such documentaries - but I really enjoyed it.

The scenery is fantastic and there is enough to keep things interesting.

Charming expedition film focusing on father son relationships

[stretchy18 · 8/10 · 23 November 2017]

It's not often a film/documentary delivers such a warm feeling leaving the cinema.

There are no spoiler warnings required, a son and father take the opportunity of a lifetime to canoe 500 miles through the Yukon.

Engagingly British, funny and thoughtful.

No abseiling down cliffs, jumping from helicopters and definitely no drinking each other p1ss, a real antidote to the Bear Grylls wham bam thank you mam outdoor nonsense

Highly recommended

Three great characters, a father, a son and the Yukon. Enjoyable, and ethical.

[landithyrm · 8/10 · 1 October 2018]

This is thoroughly enjoyable and frequently funny. It doesn't mess with stagey music and false dramas. It is an honest account of a demanding journey by canoe in the stunning Yukon, and a significant part of that journey is in the time the father-son duo spend together. Glad to hear in the Q and A after the film that they left nothing behind but footprints.

Really refreshing

[mrjdarcher · 10/10 · 13 January 2020]

A film that makes one want to get up and go.

Came across this by accident on amazon prime. At first i thought it was a very low budget film, but soon you are engulfed with the majestic of the Yukon. Came away from watching it wanting to do the same, but then not wanting to face all the dangers and deadly challenges that faced them. This is a low budget film, filmed by one individual which makes it even more impressive. No support crew or back up following them along their journey, just a father, a son a few bears, wolves, caribou and the Yukon.

Holiday Photos That Are Not Yours

[kxtncr · 4/10 · 4 January 2022]

It's a wholesome film without pretence and devoid of subtext. I'm genuinely happy they got to experience the Yukon together. Their adventure as father and son is without doubt the best thing about this film. It just wasn't gripping and views of the wilderness alone were not enough to keep me engaged.

It sort of felt like looking at photos and video footage of a family friends holiday. It quickly became boring and repetitive.

The production was lacking and the soundtrack is relentlessly bad.

All the best, all the same.

An Inspiring Film

[david-88275 · 10/10 · 22 January 2020]

Imagine sorting out everything you need to take for a 500 mile, unsupported, adventure through the Yukon wilderness in a canoe. Then add on all the camera kit, lenses, batteries, chargers and storage needed to film it. And then go and do it with no external backup at all.

Chris and Niall have created a fantastic documentary about real adventure, relationships, the meaning of life and the beauty of the natural world, and done it all without a backup crew, cameramen, audio guys, makeup, helicopters, safety teams and the rest of the usual support.

Roll over Bear Grills and your "Oh look, I'm at least 200m from the hotel now and there's a bear a mile away from me... ooooh". This is an honest, heart-warming adventure with no false tension and drama. It's reality TV in its most pure form: Two men, all their kit - including Niall's pillow - all their cameras and all their determination bundled up into one great adventure film.

Two men on a camping trip

[nzxbk · 4/10 · 7 January 2022]

This is not a documentary, this is not an adventure, this is 2 men filming themselves paddling downriver on the Yukon and occasionally seeing a bear. I've seen quite many adventure documentaries, this isn't want. The scenery is nice and all but this is not a movie experience, this is something you watch as background noise while doing other stuff.

"Wait a minute, look, Isn't that Lionel Messi and Spike Milligan?"

[calorne · 10/10 · 15 January 2020]

Said the ebullient bear to the lackadaisical caribou

A family treat

[stephaniepiper · 9/10 · 31 May 2019]

Sublime, candid, and funny. A treat to watch and wilderness to inspire!

Delightful film with plenty of epic scenery and humour

[lisachamberlain-08335 · 10/10 · 9 October 2018]

Really enjoyed this film as it follows a father and son duo in the wilds of the Yukon. Their relationship and conversation is at times hilarious and heart-warming and you will leave feeling inspired to perhaps take on a similar adventure with your own nearest and dearest. The Yukon scenery is genuinely stunning and the film is beautifully produced to showcase this.

Beautiful film

[david-57323 · 10/10 · 13 March 2019]

This is a very beautifully shot and edited film. Worth a view on the big screen, just to get the enormity of the views.

Heart-Warming Bonding meets Northern Wilderness

[mikedelue · 9/10 · 2 July 2019]

What a wonderful film for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Whether you come to it for the story of bonding between father and son or the stunning vistas of the Yukon Territory you will not be disappointed. Both Chris and Niall are wonderful on camera and the filming manages to be both skillful while maintaining the sense of raw adventure that grounds the experience.

Absolutely loved this film

[mccartenjayne · 10/10 · 11 April 2019]

Just loved it. It was like being there. Watched it at the Dukes, Lancaster last night. Seeing a dad and son together doing this was just brilliant. A gentle film which really touched me. My dad would have loved to have watched this with me 💔 and I said to my husband (who also loved it) that I could imagine him doing this with our son (11 yrs old). You just never ever get chance to be with your parents as an adult friend do you - is good to escape the 'noise' of day to day life and do something amazing. Felt humbled and inspired to watch it. Thanks.

Wonderful film

[RosieD1 · 10/10 · 17 June 2019]

Really captivating and totally honest film about the adventure of father and son, and their relationship on this expedition. Fantastic scenery, music, mix of ups and downs, and amusing times along the way as well. Inspires me to want to get out for some adventure, however small! Loved it.

Inspiring

[cmoakes-51914 · 10/10 · 13 December 2018]

This film shot during their journey is a great inspiration to show you how important it is to reconnect with your family, and makes you want to go off on an adventure

Charming and heartwarming documentary

[markhannon-22425 · 9/10 · 3 October 2018]

I loved this film. Honest and simple storytelling, nicely paced, plenty of awe-inspiring scenery, and quirky gentle English humour. I got a real sense of the isolation of the place, and how the father/son relationship was so closely bonded by that. Highly recommend it.

Touching, funny, gentle, beautiful

[drjuliegray · 10/10 · 17 January 2019]

Just been to see this. Wow. We loved it. Just to be clear my husband is your target audience (almost 40, about to be a Dad, outdoorsy, would love the trip) whereas Just been to see this. Wow. We loved it. Just to be clear my husband is more this film's target audience (almost 40, about to be a Dad, outdoorsy, would love the trip) whereas I am not. But I LOVED the film. Chris and his Dad's mutual quiet admiration for each other really shone through, and both were so humble and natural they were just a pleasure to watch. The relationship was genuine without being saccharine and I am surprised to have laughed so much as well. The scenery was really well represented by the variety of camera techniques, loved the paddlecam shot where we were plunged into the water! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this film, though I'm 8+ months pregnant so really felt for Annie at home! The little screen in our local cinema was sold out so they're putting on a second screening, and we'll be buying the DVD in due course (due in June). Also, the collapsible bucket storyline is inspired.

Loved it!

[leannepapas · 10/10 · 24 July 2019]

This was a beautiful heart warming story; I loved the meandering conversation between Chris and Niall, and found Niall to be really quite amusing. The scenery was stunning and the journey inspirational. We watched it as a family and all loved it.

Inspiring, beautiful and funny!

[ewapnercarter · 10/10 · 12 March 2019]

Jaw dropping scenery and incredible brushes with nature throughout an exciting canoeing adventure taken on by father and son team Chris and Niall. We particularly loved Niall's wit and hilarious diary entries along the way. Definitely thought provoking- what adventures could we all be thinking about undertaking with our families?

A must see adventure film!

[georgiesweet · 10/10 · 17 May 2019]

An inspiring father and son film that has the power to fuel your adventurous side. You'll want to set off on your own travels after seeing it. Amazing footage, funny and inspiring, what more can you want.

Beautiful Picture

[bjbeth · 10/10 · 8 June 2019]

I watched this with my 8 year old son and it was very inspiring and thought-provoking. It makes you very aware of how important our relationships are 😍 Really beautiful film which both of us enjoyed so much.

a beautiful film

[helendelingpole · 10/10 · 16 June 2019]

A really beautiful film, gentle, honest and engaging. The breathtaking scenery acts as a stunning backdrop to this father and son adventure.

Awe-inspiring father and son adventure.

[tonylittlejohns · 10/10 · 16 June 2019]

I loved this film and sat enthralled for the whole 86 minutes! What an incredible achievement and experience for a father and son; canoeing 500 miles through the Canadian wilderness on an unsupported expedition. And they managed to film it at the same time! Brilliant viewing and highly recommended.

Great British documentary that captures a very real, very watchable father-son relationship

[jraeburnward · 10/10 · 18 December 2017]

The best thing about this documentary is how real it feels. All too often the impact of a heartwarming documentary is curbed by presence of the director and the story they impose.

Here, the director's deft touch and stand-off approach help preserve the truth at heart of this documentary, resulting in a much more satisfying, relatable and ultimately moving experience.

Great film!

[catriona_hoon · 10/10 · 2 February 2019]

This is a really lovely film, follows father and son in a completely new environment for them getting to know each other on a more intimate level. Beautifully made with amazing landscape shots throughout the film. Highly recommend for all ages.