Rating: 
Summary: Took the Journey
Review: From Nov. 29 to Dec. 12 I had the pleasure of following Sir Ernest Shackleton's Journey while on board a Russian research vessel in the Antarctic. This video was seen by me before the trip and during the journey. To witness the hardships they endured while we were tracing the actual route was an experience never to be duplicated. The film verbage was difficult to read and the music could be a bit annoying but the content of the film was powerful. The twin daughters of Hurley were on board and they remarked that more footage of animals was requested to help sell the film in a market where such footage was rare. Sir Ernest's cousin and Bakewell's daughter were also on board to give us their perspectives. How grateful I am that this footage exists with all its content. Perhaps landing in a blizzard at Elephant Island, 6-8 foot swells in the Weddell sea and reaching Gritviken on Dec. 5 gives one a different perspective on how tough these men really were and how important a man's attitude towards life was. We who were layered in polar fleece who watched the film on a warm ship marvel at their survival in 1914-1916. Perhaps viewing the film outside in a blizzard or a very cold day can give one a different perspective of what these men endured. It is a precious piece of history.
Rating: 
Summary: After Picturing it in my mind...a let down
Review: I too became a Shackleton junky for a while. Reading Caroline Alexander's book first, continuing on to "South," and then buying and reading Lansing's excellent pictorial tribute to this amazing adventure. The exhibit at the NY Museum of History was wonderful too. So, with tempered excitement, I watched the video. The "old-time" movie style was appreciated at first, but I found myself telling fellow viewers, unaware of the whole story, all the wonderful details and stories in between. Most disappointing is how the film is turned into a timid early "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," with many pictures of wildlife, and few of the dangers and hardships that the men faced. For example, the film spends a great deal of time showing the men's fondness of the dogs, but never mentions the desparation that caused them to slaughter and eat their pets. I realize that the editors had to piece together the story from films that may have primarily included "quaint" images of seals and penguins (that at the time were cutting-edge biological science), but viewers who see this as their first exposure to Shackleton's adventure will walk away thinking that the long time spent was a grand National Geographic adventure with a few inconveniences along the way. Especially the end when Shackleton reaches South Georgia Island and, as we hold our breath for the crew's recovery, the film launches into an animal tribute. Maybe my expectations were too high, but my disappointment was just as elevated.
Rating:
Summary: SOUTH
Review: I was disappointed in this video. I expected the original film footage of the expedition, but the "tinny" piano in the background and the subtitles were distracting. I think I would have enjoyed this video much more had it been narrated. That the film survived the expedition and the rescue is remarkable. A better showcase for this extradorinary film would be beneficial.
Rating: 
Summary: A grand failure of an expedition.
Review: I was recently lucky enough to see this restored film on thesilver screen, thanks to a theater chain that specializes in classicmovies. In my opinion, the film is worthy of seeing for the historical aspect alone. Also, the supplies, equipment, and the type of vessel available at the time of the expedition are faithfully recorded here. While there is no attempt to lay blame for failure or poor planning, mainly because the filming was funded by Shackleton, I think this is also due to the era in which it was made. Today, we would see only the down side. The Endurance and her crew only came within sight of Antarctica, but never actually got there, let alone the South Pole. By contrast, at the time when the expedition was made Shackleton was a hero for just making the attempt. In addition, nobody died, which has to count for something. Shackleton also made a perilous journey of hundreds of miles in an open boat trying to get the help needed to save his stranded men, which I think qualifies him as a hero despite the failed attempt to get to the South Pole. The film lingers on Antarctic sea life, which at the time was probably still mysterious an exotic to the average citizen. The images are solid scientific data, and helped make the most of the curtailed mission. Some of the footage was tinted blue or yellow, after the style of the day, to enhance the feel of the cold Antarctic or the warmth of the sun. You should see the silent version at least once.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing film footage of an amzing story.
Review: If you've read any books on the "Endurance", it's quite wonderful to actually see the Hurley film. It's one thing to read about this great adventure, it's another to actually see it. I would recommend this to anyone interested in this era.
Rating:
Summary: So what WAS the title Paulette Struckman was seeking?
Review: In her own review of "South," Paulette Struckman mentions another Shackleton movie using original footage but narrated. I believe that's the film I've been seeking. Did she ever find it? Does anyone else know that title? It's not "South," and it must have been released in the early 1990s. Please help. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: The book's better, but this was good.
Review: My husband, my father and I all read the book and then watched this video. It's amazing to have video at all from over 80 years ago. I did get some of the feel for what it must have been like in the pictures, but there wasn't much from after the Endurance sank, and that is the really gripping part of the story. The reasons are probably hardship related, but that part of the story was sort of skimmed over. Still, it was remarkable to see the footage at all. The stuff from South Georgia was particularly interesting and amazing. But I have to say, I'm glad I read the book first. My five kids (aged 4 to 11) did sit through it, so that's some kind of vote for the cinematography.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but I preferred the book!
Review: My review mirrors the experience of another commentator, Lisa Flaherty, (Review January 12, 2000). Like her I had moved from Alexander, to Shackelton, to Lansing,and recently attended a wonderful exhibition of the Endurance expedition at the Field Museum here in Chicago. It was there that I first became aware of the 35mm footage and the fact that color slides were also taken by Hurley. I bought this video at Museum's store and was disappointed. The 35 mm film ends abruptly after the demise of the Endurance and there is a good deal of "filler" which has been described by several other reviewers as reminiscent of early National Geographic footage. I do love historical film and it was interesting to see members of the Endurance struggling to free the ship, evacuate the dogs, and the like. But, for me, the still photographs carry the greatest weight and I could have done without this purchase.
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Summary: I feel lucky this footage from the expedtion was available.
Review: Not your typical follow-the-plot-to-the-climax kind of movie, this is a documentary filming of what was to be the first traverse of the Antartic continent in 1915, but which turned into a desperate struggle to survive on the ice pack when their ship became stuck and sank. How fantastic it was that Sir Shackleton thought to have Frank Hurley join him on this expedition because his camera work in such terrible conditions lets the viewer feel what the 28 men endured. I had read Caroline Alexander's book, "Endurance" first, and thought that this story would make a great movie so I went looking. Well, no drama could take the place of the actual footage from the expedition seen in this documentary. It is spellbinding. Lack of the men's voices (it is the 1910's after all) and lack of narration is no impediment, the pictures tell the story well enough, and the piano soundtrack just adds to the feeling of time gone by. Truly an achievement, both the ultimate survival of all of the men, and the recording of it on this tape.
Rating:
Summary: A Rare Cinematographic Documentary of a Legendary Journey
Review: So spoiled are we in these days of cinematographic special effects that we cannot sometimes appreciate and recognize a landmark piece of film footage when we see it. This rare film documentary has been reproduced in original form, and in keeping it so, much credit goes to Brenda Hudson and the British Film Institute. To have portions of Shackleton's legendary journey on film speaks volumes about the brilliance of Shackleton's entrepreneurial mindset, in understanding the marketing/financial effect such a film would have upon his return. One must be reminded that the Endurance crew hauled and sailed this very film many tough miles, even as they starved, froze, lost hope and even went mad. Frank Hurley was a photography genius and a fearless soul, and he kept the cameras rolling as long as possible. Here is actual film of Ernest Shackleton the man - for that reason alone the film is priceless. The footage of the Endurance being crushed in the ice while sled dogs look on...well, it is an eerie experience to watch that pivotal event on film. The footage ends after the Endurance is crushed, because Shackleton attempted to move the men and camp shortly thereafter and they had to travel light. So the moving camera and film equipment, plus most of the glass still photo plates, were purposely thrown into the water to sink - so that Hurley wouldn't be tempted to go back for them. He kept only a small camera thereafter. I can only imagine his thoughts regarding that sacrifice. All the more precious this film becomes, then, for the extra care taken to carry it along. Hurley added the "national geographic" wildlife parts later, and even those sections, though somewhat unrelated to the essential film, reveal the fascination with Antarctic life of the times. I'd suggest turning down (way down) the volume when viewing the film, for although the background music is reminiscent of the times, it simply is not commensurate with the caliber of the film. This is an amazing film, by any standard.
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