Rating: 
Summary: Incredible life-Incredible mini-series!!
Review: I recently watched this film when it premiered on A&E in April and I was amazed by both the real man's life and the care the production crew took to bring that life to the screen. I saw the biography on the real man and I was really impressed on how accurate the movie was to the real expedition that Ernest Shackleton took in 1914. I shouldn't be surprised though for the star of the film has always been associated with great productions. I have long been an admirer of Kenneth Branagh, whether he does Shakespearean drama or modern film, he never disappoints. This film was certainly no expection, his performance was worthy of an Emmy as were all the performances. While watching this film I was filled with excitement and anticipation of what would happen next, not to mention COLD!! even though I was safe in my living room. I can't recommend any Branagh movie high enough being an avid admirer of his work, but this movie is truly spectacular and rates 10 stars, not just five ones.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible life-Incredible mini-series!!
Review: I recently watched this film when it premiered on A&E in April and I was amazed by both the real man's life and the care the production crew took to bring that life to the screen. I saw the biography on the real man and I was really impressed on how accurate the movie was to the real expedition that Ernest Shackleton took in 1914. I shouldn't be surprised though for the star of the film has always been associated with great productions. I have long been an admirer of Kenneth Branagh, whether he does Shakespearean drama or modern film, he never disappoints. This film was certainly no expection, his performance was worthy of an Emmy as were all the performances. While watching this film I was filled with excitement and anticipation of what would happen next, not to mention COLD!! even though I was safe in my living room. I can't recommend any Branagh movie high enough being an avid admirer of his work, but this movie is truly spectacular and rates 10 stars, not just five ones.
Rating:
Summary: The most amazing Antarctic adventure ever
Review: I saw this film when it was broadcast on UK TV around Christmas 2001. It is a wonderfully acted and hugely evocative historic account of an amazing adventure story. Essentially a British period drama with some fine actors who are eminently believable in their roles. The Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branagh stars as Shackleton with Lorcan Cranitch and Mark McGann as his loyal lieutenants Frank Wild and Tom Crean. The first part of the film may drag a little for those eager to get to the ice and the true adventure, but it sets a historical basis for what is to follow. How Shackleton is up against the odds even before his ship has sailed and the planning for an expedition that may not actually happen is a story in itself about Shackleton's self-belief and his intention not to fail those who have put their faith in him. Once the story gets to the Antarctic, the frozen south and the pack ice, it inspires feelings of "How did they make that look so real, without actually doing it?". The atmosphere of being lost in the middle of endless pack ice is portrayed very realistically and the human emotions of those caught up in this drama are believable. For those who do not already know the story, I would recommend reading it first in one of the many books available. For me this is one of, if not the most amazing stories of all time. It is like three incredible adventures back to back. I won't spoil the full story for the uninitiated, but in the first adventure Shackleton's crew are stranded in the Antarctic pack ice for the winter, not a totally unexpected state of affairs in itself, but certainly not good news. This slowly turns to disaster as the ice crushes the ship leaving the crew stranded on crumbling ice, miles (hundreds of miles) from land with no way of summoning help. They manage to get to dry land eventually on Elephant Island. Elephant Island is a respite, but no place to hang around. The second adventure then starts when Shackleton and five others have to cross 800 miles of the stormiest ocean in the world at on of the worst times of year in a 20-foot lifeboat. This accomplished, they find themselves on the wrong side of a mountainous island having to cross peaks, ice fields and glaciers that no one had ever done before hand to reach a whaling station where from where rescue could be called. With no equipment and already exhausted, three of the men strive onwards and make it. None of the 28 crew of the ship, the Endurance are lost against incredible odds. A fabulous story, that is gripping for the Antarctic buff, history buff and any one who just enjoys a good tale.
Rating:
Summary: this is a work of art
Review: i saw this when it was on A&E and i have to say that it was astounding. the visual effects were amazying, but more to the fact was the acting. Kenneth Branagh was superub as Shackleton. he made you beleive that you were right there with him in that icy hell, and that he would keep you alive at all cost. i recomend this to anyone who wants a real-life adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: A great set for the person who likes to learn
Review: I thoroughly appreciated the documentary about polar exploration which is pretty much worth the cost of the DVD set by itself. The making-of featurette is more interesting that most I have seen. The main dramatization was at times long, dark and subdued but in a way entirely appropriate to the story and the setting. A great value for those who are seeking an educational experience more than entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: A great set for the person who likes to learn
Review: I thoroughly appreciated the documentary about polar exploration which is pretty much worth the cost of the DVD set by itself. The making-of featurette is more interesting that most I have seen. The main dramatization was at times long, dark and subdued but in a way entirely appropriate to the story and the setting. A great value for those who are seeking an educational experience more than entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Value and Riveting to watch
Review: I watched the IMAX version before this and although thoroughly enjoyed it, agree with others that the IMAX version is a bit too short. I then watched the 3 DVD collector's set and sat riveted to my seat for almost 5 hours watching both the film and the history of Antarctic Exploration extras. So, if you want the IMAX version, which is short and sort of sweet to the point, then here it is. On the other hand, if you want to really get a feel for the whole adventure and become part of it, then get the 3 DVD box set. I will watch both again and again. Just an unbelievable story whichever version you watch and for a such an unbelievably cheap price. Just the history of Antarctic Exploration at 100 minutes would have been worth the price, so absolutely no regrets whatsoever.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't do much justice to the real story...
Review: Kenneth Branagh has never been one of my favorites. I recently learned he was passed over for the lead in "Amadeus." Whew... was that a narrow escape! But now our luck has run out. Branagh is great in Shakespeare and anything else that needs to be overacted, but casting him as Ernest Shackleton, one of the most straightforward and believably human figures of all time, is cinematographical malpractice. Most of the other performances are equally wooden and rehearsed. I watched the thing on DVD, with the sound blasting through my stereo speakers, and even then I couldn't escape the made-for-TV feel of this film. The dialogues are predictable, most attempts at humor stupid. Above all, the sense of adventure and mind-boggling danger of Shackleton's expedition just fails to come to the surface here. Any of the documentaries put out by PBS are far more dramatic -- the story is so interesting in itself, it doesn't even need to be acted.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't do much justice to the real story...
Review: Kenneth Branagh has never been one of my favorites. I recently learned he was passed over for the lead in "Amadeus." Whew... was that a narrow escape! But now our luck has run out. Branagh is great in Shakespeare and anything else that needs to be overacted, but casting him as Ernest Shackleton, one of the most straightforward and believably human figures of all time, is cinematographical malpractice. Most of the other performances are equally wooden and rehearsed. I watched the thing on DVD, with the sound blasting through my stereo speakers, and even then I couldn't escape the made-for-TV feel of this film. The dialogues are predictable, most attempts at humor stupid. Above all, the sense of adventure and mind-boggling danger of Shackleton's expedition just fails to come to the surface here. Any of the documentaries put out by PBS are far more dramatic -- the story is so interesting in itself, it doesn't even need to be acted.
Rating: 
Summary: Good father-son viewing
Review: My five year old and I watched Branagh's portrayal of Shackleton right after seeing the Discovery documentary, which is much better; even so, this was a good order to see them in. After talking through the facts about the expedition, we were able to see how actors in a movie did it, and that was valuable for my son. I agree with other reviewers' comments that this looked like a TV movie and that the ending was rushed; moreover, important details of the expedition's ordeal were left out to show scenes in London that were meant to be ironic. Scenes you'll probably want to skip for little ones: the shooting of the ship's cat and the expedition's dogs, and most especially the (rather drawn-out) toe amputation scene. All in all, though, a good learning experience.
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