Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86136 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-04-09
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Box set, Closed-captioned, Colour, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 200 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Shackleton is not a biopic of the great Anglo-Irish explorer but a dramatisation of the failed trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-16. As written and directed by Charles (Longtitude) Sturridge the production, filmed on real ice floes in Greenland, stays remarkably close to the facts, capturing the look of the surviving expedition photos of Frank Hurley (collected in the book South With Endurance) with great fidelity. Kenneth Branagh makes no attempt at an authentic accent but otherwise gives a powerful impression of a most commanding personality. When the expedition ship Endurance became locked in the Antarctic ice Shackleton vowed to bring every man home alive, and against virtually impossible odds, including a 700-mile journey in an open boat through some of the worst seas in the world, he did just that. This superlative mini-series realises the story with production values and cinematography which would not disgrace a big-budget feature (Hurley's own 1919 documentary film can be seen on video in South). Intense physical drama, strong performances and Adrian Johnston's fine score combine here to deeply moving effect, marred only a little by a rushed conclusion. With Roland Huntford, author of the definitive Shackleton biography, as production advisor, this easily stands as the benchmark for all future comparable films. --Gary S Dalkin

Customer Reviews

A very moving adventure tale, that is not to be missed
Some people probably think that a film of ice and snow is boring but Shackleton is definately not. Great acting makes it a very moving film,the action keeps you on the edge of your seat and the script brings you close to tears. This adventure film is definately a film to watch, if you want to experience a whole new (frozen) land.

gripping,well portrayed,a must see video
this must be one of the best productions i have ever had the pleasure of watching, never having written a review like this before, i am moved to do so on this occasion, and just beg you to see it, it is well cast,well written, produced,directed etc, etc, a very worthy offering of how it must have been for those 28 men, dogs and the cat, a truly great tribute to these fine men has been captured for us all to re-live on celluloid, it truly is a classic of our time, it underlines a favourite expression of mine "the magic of celluloid" = you are transported back to pre first world war, the threat of which looms over the world, sir ernest, is earnestly (pardon the frivolity) seeking funding for another shot at exploring antartica, the flavour and emotions of the times are vividly recorded, and you are entranced by the whole thing, hardly wanting to pause for breath, in case you miss a syllable, or a fleeting action.highly commended, please dont deprive yourself of a truly compelling 4 hours viewing, like a good book, you wont put it down, finally i must thank all concerned in this production, the memories will linger for many a year, believe me. a.g.

An excellent adaptation
This is a faithful and compelling dramatisation of Shackleton's 1914 southern expedition. Branagh is convincing in the title role, and the characterisations of Crean, Orde-Lees and McNeish are especially insightful and finely portrayed. The pace of the story is a little hurried towards the end, and the details of the rescue of the crew of the Endurance from Elephant Island after Shackleton's crossing of South Georgia have essentially been omitted, but this does not detract from an otherwise splendid adaptation of an inspirational tale of triumph in the face of adversity.