PodBill
Just what I expected
Lollivan
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
1bilbo
This is a really good film.The story is pretty accurate and the characters are played splendidly by people who could actually act.The scenery is breathtaking – no CGI here and it shows! Real backdrops to go with the real actors. The music by Vaughn Williams ads to the sense of horror as these brave explorers venture to the "Worst place on earth" only to find the bitter disappointment when they get there.One is left with a real sense of "Was it worth it" as the team are picked off one-by-one by the dreadful conditions; yet still carry on with determination.Watch it in a warm room!
Tim Kidner
Whilst more recent documentaries might be more accurate and better told, technically, this just-after-the-war Technicolor British 'Pride' docu- drama is both stirring and patriotic.With one of the best cinematographers that ever lived behind the camera, the great, late Jack Cardiff, the snowy wastes (actually filmed in Norway) are a far cry from the cheeky, monochromatic East End comedies of other Ealing's.The much-loved John Mills plays and narrates as Captain Scott, whilst there's rousing support from the familiar faces of Kenneth Moore, John Gregson and James Robertson Justice. The stiff upper lip is never far away as bravely, first Scott rallies for funds to pay for the trip and then undertaking it.There's humour, comradeship, sadness and glorious spectacle in this and I'm sure the at-times dastardly and enthusiastic playing was more for cinematic appeal than the original trek must have been. When it was originally shown, the film must have seemed like a breath of fresh air, being so different to what was normally in the cinema. Location shooting being expensive, abroad more so and in such a hostile environment, a real achievement.We all know the outcome but it's the journey getting there and this film, very well made and entertaining to watch, does the memory of Scott and his endeavours, proud.
MartinHafer
This film stars John Mills and is about the Scott expedition to the South Pole shortly before WWI. It shows the preparations and actual expedition--mostly shot in Norway, as going to Antarctica would have been prohibitively expensive and difficult.Although "Scott of the Antarctic" is a very well made film (after all, it's from Ealing Studios!), it suffers from two major problems. First, for the viewer to really get into the film and enjoy it, you need to buy into the notion that going to the South Pole is actually worth doing and is not a complete waste of time and lives. I hate to be a downer, but I clearly fall into that category and feel that people who attempted things like this were brave but also rather foolish--especially since the film shows many mistakes Scott made in planning the expedition. Sorry but I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way. Second, anyone who knows history knows of the fate of Scott and his expedition--and so the film is extremely anticlimactic and you know it's just a matter of time until they all become human popsicles. For me, it was just a waiting game. Plus, their competition had already made it to the Pole before Scott-- making the entire expedition a waste of time and human lives.If you can ignore all this, then yes, it is a very good film. Unusual for its time, the movie was shot in color and extensively followed the actual logs of events. The acting is lovely, as is the music and direction. All in all, it's full of all the glory and pomp you'd want in a movie that appears to glorify the British Empire and the 'can do' spirit. But, when you think about it, it's a great example of the 'can't do' spirit--and is, perhaps, a bit of a metaphor for the British Empire circa 1948.
Maddyclassicfilms
Scott Of The Antarctic is directed by Charles Frend and is a superb account of the ill fated Polar trek in 1912 which claimed the lives of four men,most notably the legendary Captain Scott. The film stars John Mills, James Robertson Justice, Derek Bond, Diana Churchill and Kenneth More.Beginning in 1908 Captain R.F Scott(John Mills)tries to put together a polar team and raise funds for a scientific trip to the Antarctic.He is accompanied by his close friend Dr.E.A Wilson(Harold Warrender),Captain L.E.G Oates(Derek Bond)who would gain fame by being the man who stepped out of the tent to try and give his companions a bigger chance at survival,Lt.H.R Bowers(Reginald Beckwith),Taff Evans(James Robertson Justice)and a young Kenneth More as Lt.Teddy Evans.There's also fine support from Diana Churchill as Scott's faithful encouraging wife Kathleen and Anne Firth as Wilson's loving wife Oriana.With breathtaking photography and use of colour by Jack Cardiff and strong performances this is a moving and fairly accurate account of the expedition we will never forget.It shows the harsh weather they faced,the ill preparation and bad luck which dogged the last leg of the trek.Taking us back to a time where men like this were heroes and the whole world was behind their endeavour,wishing them the best of luck.Based on Scott's diaries and letters as well as accounts from the survivors, this gripping film is as close to being there as you can actually get.The cast are superb,especially John playing the charming,driven and determined leader, who's valour and courage moved many after his diaries were made public.This is one you won't regret seeing and it's without a doubt one of the best films Ealing Studios ever produced.
