Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

Izzy Adkins The movie is surprisingly subdued in its pacing, its characterizations, and its go-for-broke sensibilities.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

hfc-1 The subtext of the film, sponsored by Morgan Stanley, Tyco and other corps, is heroic individualism, the tiresome leitmotif of half a millenium of western history. Roland Huntford, familiar to polar buffs, natters on endlessly about Shackelton's leadership qualities, and the suits at Morgan Stanley probably have everyone attending Shackleton leadership seminars. But Shackleton and the film transcend all that infinitely. As the film points out, Shackleton reversed course morally as the expedition foundered in the ice, from achieving the original heroic feat of crossing Antarctica, to getting the party out alive, to surviving. Of course a less resilient party, less skilled and resourceful, would not have survived, Shackleton or no; he picked them after all. The moral is that their (particularly Shackleton's life-long) quest for adventure and heroic deeds (the spirit of the age) was not fulfilled as planned, but he/they were magnificently successful in overcoming obstacles fate placed in their way, thrived on it, completely satisfied. The sense of deliverance on the final, harrowing leg across South Georgia, and his statement, the last words in the film, about having read the text of god, say it all.

Mr. Leslie Howard Spaiser This film is unbelievable because it puts together the remains of actual original footage and photos with carefully and sensitively delivered narratives and modern color shots to create an almost impossible whole. The success of this movie is that these pieces all come together to give you an almost total experience. At first the pace and material seem somewhat slow perhaps even a bit boring. But this is even better because without changing format, the content builds until you are shaking your head and grimacing in disbelief. I did not know the story of Shakleton - so I was even more awe struck. How could any people have endured this? When you leave the theater you have indeed been on the expedition yourself and you are glad to be alive.L. Spaiser

rjdurbin I have read several books about Shackleton's amazing expedition to Antarctica. I first became aware of the story from a PBS documentary several years ago, and being amazed by the story of survival and endurance, sought out books for more of the story. As a teacher I have used parts of this story as examples of leadership, enduring hardship, teamwork, loyalty, service, and hope. Being so familiar with this story, I wasn't sure what would be new in the film, but there was plenty there for me to enjoy and still learn about. I found it interesting that the descendants of survivors consistently said that their relatives, as is common from many trying circumstances, rarely talked about the events. It was also great to see the pictures I have seen over and over again put into a format where I could see them on a big screen. Even more amazing is the surviving film footage from the expedition. The preservation of this footage is wonderful, and in conjunction with the newly filmed footage of the unchanged antarctic landscape, gives you a better understanding of the wilderness these men were up against. Shackelton is portrayed as the excellent leader that he was, but is not presented as an infallible genius. He was a man who demonstrated amazing qualities in difficult circumstances, and he was a man who understood the burden of his leadership and the importance for getting his men home safely. If you've never heard of Shackleton, you are in the same boat (pun intended), as my wife, who was completely new to Shackleton's story. She loved the film as well, and was fascinated by the story. So if you are well aware of the story, or totally new to it, I highly recommend this story of survival and endurance.

andrea-45 While I am in complete agreement with the two prior reviewers as to the excellence of this documentary, there is a special treat contained therein for Shackleton buffs. Those who know of Hurley's doctoring of the negative of the James Caird *leaving* Elephant Island (on the great 800-mile journey), making it appear to be instead an approaching lifeboat in "the Rescue," may be floored as I was to see the photo in its original, untouched form - showing *two* boats, with the Stancomb Wills beside it. (It was actually the Caird which was scratched out and the Wills which remained in the doctored version.) When I asked the director about it, he said he had been able to obtain what was, to his knowledge, the only undamaged print of the original in existence. It is an unprecedented treat to be able to see this image as the men, hoping for rescue on that barren piece of ice-swept rock, originally saw it.