Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable!
Review: The Endurance is an unbelievable story of human spirit triumph and tragedy. The footage and photographs taken from the crews photographer give you a real sense of isolation and desperation. See this documentary as soon as you can. This story would make an incredible motion picture!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: The fate of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition is so unbelievable that in some ways many people are likely to shunt the memory of it into more remote corners of history than it deserves. Caroline Alexander's book of the same title rekindled interest in this adventure and gave it the spotlight that it deserved. George Butler's visual adaptation of Alexander's book is equally worthy.By any standard, the ordeal of Shackleton and his crew gives vivid illustration of true leadership, perservance and yes, endurance. Their goal of crossing the Antarctic from coast to coast was shattered before they ever landed on the continent. The awareness of that failure might have doomed most men to quick death, however the crew of the Endurance found ways to survive the more than two years that ensued from the day their ship became trapped in pack ice, until they were rescued from a frigid and harsh island. That these men were able to survive under the conditions that beset them is a tribute to each of them and the way the worked together from Shackleton on down. The motion picture film and still photographs taken by Frank Hurley, the expedition photographer, make this documentary even more engrossing. These images are augmented by family interviews and dramatic recreations that lend poignancy to this epic. From start to finish this is a film that will keep you engrossed! So engrossing that you might find yourself adding another log to the fire or going to check the thermostat even in the warmest of weather.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: The fate of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition is so unbelievable that in some ways many people are likely to shunt the memory of it into more remote corners of history than it deserves. Caroline Alexander's book of the same title rekindled interest in this adventure and gave it the spotlight that it deserved. George Butler's visual adaptation of Alexander's book is equally worthy. By any standard, the ordeal of Shackleton and his crew gives vivid illustration of true leadership, perservance and yes, endurance. Their goal of crossing the Antarctic from coast to coast was shattered before they ever landed on the continent. The awareness of that failure might have doomed most men to quick death, however the crew of the Endurance found ways to survive the more than two years that ensued from the day their ship became trapped in pack ice, until they were rescued from a frigid and harsh island. That these men were able to survive under the conditions that beset them is a tribute to each of them and the way the worked together from Shackleton on down. The motion picture film and still photographs taken by Frank Hurley, the expedition photographer, make this documentary even more engrossing. These images are augmented by family interviews and dramatic recreations that lend poignancy to this epic. From start to finish this is a film that will keep you engrossed! So engrossing that you might find yourself adding another log to the fire or going to check the thermostat even in the warmest of weather.
Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST SURVIVAL STORY EVER TOLD...
Review: This is an exemplary documentary, based upon author Caroline Alexander's critically acclaimed, best selling book of the doomed 1914 Antarctic expedition led by Sir Edward Shackleton. Effectively narrated by Liam Neeson, the film tells the story of this star-crossed expedition which set sail upon the ironically named ship, "The Endurance". Shackleton and his crew set out to attempt the first expedition across the vast, still uncharted, icy regions of the Antarctic continent. Unfortunately, the ship became locked in an icy vise created by polar floes not long after it set sail, which eventually encased and crushed the ship it held in its grasp. This forced the crew out on the ice to survive an adventure that was to last them over a year and a half. Only the courage and determination of Shackleton and his crew enabled them all to survive their harrowing experience, escaping the icy death that was the expected outcome of their dire situation. Told through the incorporation and use of expedition photographer Frank Hurley's archival silent film footage and stills, which miraculously survived, as well as modern day film and photographs, a rich in situ backdrop is provided for this gripping story of survival. The film is also augmented by interviews with elderly relatives of the survivors. The makers of this documentary also ground the story in the historical context of the day, enriching this story further. All in all, this is an exemplary documentary and one which those who are interested in explorations will enjoy, as will those who enjoy films in which the human spirit triumphs.
Rating:
Summary: Triumph of the Human Spirit
Review: This is easily the best documentary I've seen since "Crumb" and "Hoop Dreams". The phrase "triumph of the human spirit" gets thrown around so often these days that it has lost its meaning, but I can't think of any other words to describe this incredible documentary. Even though the story is rather simple and we already know how it ends, I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. It's unfathomable what these men had to endure during the 2 years, and it's absolutely amazing that even one of them, let alone all, managed to survive. The breathtaking original footages and still photographs are extremely crisp and it's hard to believe that this was shot nearly 9 decades ago. And while the lack of original materials during the later stages of their ordeals is a little disappointing, we can hardly blame them for that. The narration by Liam Neeson is excellent as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Good not great. But a great one does exist.
Review: This version is good, no question. It accurately portrays the story of the Endurance. But if you are a true fan of this wonderful adventure, you must see the original Nova version. David Ogden Stiers narration is magnificent. His intonation and phrasing perfectly reflect the mood of the adventure and places you amid the expedition. Interviews with descendants are plentiful and seem almost as effective as if they were the participants themselves. Expert interviewees add insight into the natural forces that were in constant combat with the expedition. Last and not least, the soundtrack is a subject lesson in matching mood and music. I'm lucky enough to have a poor VHS recording of the original Nova production. I would buy a DVD of it in a heartbeat if Amazon could find it.
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous documentary
Review: When I saw The Endurance, I had no knowledge of Shackleton's expidition. The documentary not only held my interest, but did a superb job of conveying the thoughts and experiences of the crew with their journal readings and footage. My unfamiliarity with the story of The Endurance may have caused the documentary to have a bigger impact with me than it otherwise might have. If you are unfamiliar with this story, I would encourage you to see this before doing anything else. What you learn will surprise you.
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