Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2428 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Despite a likable cast of humans, it's the canine stars who steal the show in Eight Below, a terrific live-action adventure in the time-honored Disney tradition. Based on a true story that was previously filmed (much differently) as the 1983 Japanese hit Antarctica, this above-average family film takes place in 1993 and focuses on a dog-sled guide at an Antarctic research station (Paul Walker) who is forced by a severe storm to abandon eight beloved sled dogs for the duration of a harsh Antarctic winter. Left to fend for themselves, the rugged and resourceful dogs encounter danger at every turn, surviving for nearly six months while Walker and his closest colleagues (engagingly played by Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, and American Pie's Jason Biggs) join forces to mount a daring rescue mission. Having endured similarly extreme conditions on his 1993 film Alive, director Frank Marshall brings an abundance of natural splendor (and minimum use of digital wizardry) to spectacularly arctic locations in Norway, Greenland and Canada, and Walker (star of The Fast and the Furious) lends an amiable sincerity to his compassionate role. For most viewers, however, it's the remarkable dogs (six Siberian huskies and two malamutes) who make Eight Below so thoroughly entertaining. It's not quite an instant family classic, but it comes pretty doggone close. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
Inspired by a true story and the hit Japanese film NANKYOKU MONOGATARI, Frank Marshall's (ALIVE, CONGO) EIGHT BELOW captures a rugged world of ice, snow, and threatening weather that few will ever experience in person. As a guide for a National Science Foundation Research Base in Antarctica, Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) is perfectly content to spend his time exploring the wilderness with his sled dogs and goofing around with his best buddy, cartographer Charlie Cooper (Jason Biggs). Then UCLA geologist Davis McLaren (Bruce Greenwood) arrives at the camp with plans for a risky expedition: treacherous ice fields make his target destination accessible only by dog sled so late in the season. Soon Shepard, McLaren and the sled dogs Maya, Max, Old Jack, Buck, Shorty, Dewey, Shadow, and Truman are on their way in search of McLaren's prize: a meteorite from Mercury. Unfortunately, an approaching storm forces Shepard and McLaren to return to base early. The return trip proves life-threatening, but the dogs pull through, saving both Shepard and McLaren from certain death. The storm also forces the scientists to leave the research centre earlier than planned, and there's no room on board bush pilot Katie's (Moon Bloodgood) plane for the dogs. With the promise that someone will return for them immediately, Shepard leaves his beloved dogs behind. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that the weather has made a return trip impossible. Can the dogs survive in the Antarctic wilderness on their own, or will Shepard get back in time to save them? The dogs emerge as the most intriguing characters in the story, each exhibiting a distinct personality and fierce loyalty. The other major player is the wilderness itself, a beautiful, mysterious world that is rarely depicted on film.

Customer Reviews

New Faith In Walt Disney
I have watched several films by Walt Disney and its producers and was getting slightly worried as i hadnt enjoyed many of them in a long while (ok maybe it is just my taste but i like to think i have an open mind).
Anywho i saw the trailer for this movie on another movie that i had brought (think it was Superman Returns, also an excellent movie), and watching those lovely dogs/wolves it took me back to the days of watching Due South (which i also now have on dvd) on tv so i looked straight away for a copy.
Searching for this dvd in store was quite difficult i found, cheapest i could find it was £15 second hand in Blockbuster, so i chose to be a little more patient and got it for £10 on ebay brand new.
Getting a little bored of the barrage of Second World War movies i have been watched lately i decided to watch this movie... i wasnt disappointed...

One thing i would start off by mentioning about this movie is that if you are intending on getting this for the children, i would watch it through first as there are some parts in it which made me jump!
Also as embaressing as it is for me to say (im a 22 yr old fella from the UK) some parts of this movie did bring a tear to my eye, and it does end with a very positive ending but not a completely happy ending...
I wont give the ending away but i would be very causious about the age you are allowing view this.

Id also say that if you are buying this for the cuddly dogs for the kids then i would again warn to view the movie first.

Im not going to go on about the views and acting, but all in all this movie is in my top 10 dvds in my collection of over 400 and i wouldnt consider selling it/trading it in... In other words it is a keeper!

Hope this helps, it has certainly been one of my favourate films, if not my favourate film in this particular category. E.g. Family action.

5 out of 5!!!

8 Stars
Terrific film! I saw this on a transatlantic flight on the tiny seatback player, and was entranced. Last night I watched it again with my wife and enjoyed it as much again.

It was shot in Canada, Norway and Greenland, and the photography is superb. Frankly, it's hard to find fault with this film, as it radiates so much goodwill. The acting talent was well picked and balanced. This one is a keeper.

The most amazing film in a long while!
This has to be one of the most amazing film i have ever watched! it is brilliant , i must of cryed about 8time's..and im talking actual sobbing! it is truly a magical film for all the family! Even people who arnt so keen on dog's,will finish watching this film with red puffy eye's . The story line is so heart-touching , i really cant explain how good this film is, you will seriously need to watch this! I watched this film last night and i really want to watch it again THATS how good it is .. it made me laugh , cry , and at times i was on the edged of my seat! The only problem with this film is...i now want a husky , as the husky's in this film touched my heart.