Shackleton (2002) (TV)

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writer:

Charles Sturridge (writer)

Release Date:

7 April 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Antarctic Expedition | Cat | Endurance | Frostbite | Mistress

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

206 min (2 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Norwegian | German

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:T | USA:Approved | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | UK:PG (part 1) | UK:15 (part 2)

Filming Locations:

Greenland

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

The port of Hafnarfjörur in Iceland doubled for the port of Buenos Aires. The Icelandic scenery was later replaced digitally with an Argentinean one.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Shackleton lifts up the binoculars to watch the Endurance being crushed by ice, a cameraman operating a camera is reflected in the lenses of the binoculars.

Quotes:

Sir Ernest Shackleton: Yes, well, uh, thank you for seeing me, and, uh, perhaps you will be able to give some thought to the possibility of becoming a sponsor.
Janet Stancombe Wills: Sir Ernest, my contribution towards your exciting adventure is over there on the desk. Please. I'm not the sort of woman to waste a man's time.
Sir Ernest Shackleton: Miss Stancombe Wills, I don't know how to thank you.
Janet Stancombe Wills: By succeeding, of course. And perhaps by addressing me in future as Janet.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2002) (TV)

Authenticity reigns

Screened in two parts, each of two hours this made-for-television film is a must see for anyone wanting to know more about the voyage of the Endurance in 1914 and Sir Ernest Shackleton's attempt to be the first to journey directly across the Antarctic continent.

This drama was very polished in all respects, right down to the authenticity of the camera angle that the expedition's photographer Frank Hurley used when we was on the trip. Branagh is probably the best choice to play Shackleton and he supported by an able cast, who it has to be said, do not get to share very much of his limelight. But then this is a very remarkable story about a very remarkable leader of men and the sheer power of the courage displayed, together with the stunning visuals makes up for the lengthy first half, based mostly in Britain.

This is a powerful drama with a fine supporting cast. Overlong in places but for their patience, the viewer is rewarded with detailed authenticity and first class entertainment.