Customer Reviews

South - Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition [VHS]

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The excellent Milestone DVD transfer of "South--Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance expedition" is a must for students and collectors of early documentary film and photography.

Frank Hurley (1885-1962), an Australian, was one of the greatest expedition photographers of the early 20th century--tough, resourceful, energetic and, in his early career at least, creative and innovative. He had not long accompanied Mawson's 1911-13 expedition to Antarctica when he received Shackleton's invitation to join his 1914 attempt to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. Hurley dropped what he was doing on an expedition in northern Australia and sailed to Buenos Aires, arriving just a few days before Shackleton's ship, "Endurance". Hurley's subsequent film showing Shackleton's superhuman effort to save his crew when the expedition failed was one of its few successes.

The rest of Hurley's career deserves a quick once-over to properly locate him in the photographic pantheon. In 1917 Hurley enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as an official photographer. One of his most creative and controversial First World War still pictures was a composite of an Australian infantry attack at Zonnebeke, Belgium, printed 6.5 by 4.5 metres from 12 different plates. His later activity included photographing an expedition to Papua, and filming the cavalry charge in Charles Chauvel's 1940 movie, "Forty Thousand Horsemen". In the early years of the Second World War, he headed the Australian Department of Information Cinematographic and Photographic Unit in the Middle East (as boss of those "whippersnappers", Damien Parer and George Silk--representing a new generation of photographic innovators who were starting to leave Hurley behind). In 1943 Hurley became director of the British Army Features and Propaganda Films Unit, making films such as "Siege of Tobruk".

The documentary on the 1914-1916 Shackleton expedition, showing the ship, "Endurance", crushed and sinking after being trapped in pack ice for eight months, is the work of Hurley at the height of his powers, achieved under extraordinary difficulties. The DVD transfer has been made from a 35mm print restored by the British Film Institute National Film & Television Archive. Its audio options include a modern voice-over commentary, and a well-chosen piano accompaniment. I hope we see more such classic documentary DVD releases.

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.

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.

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.

South is a wonderful video featuring real motion footage from Frank Hurley's cameras on the expedition. Even though there is no sound they added words and nice piano music in the backround. The video features everything from pictures of their departure, to picture of the dogs on deck, to pictures of the ship being crushed, falling apart, and its final sinking. This film shows the truth of what really happened. I highly recomend this film.

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.

With regard to Paulette and Todd's queries; I believe the film they are seeking is called "Endurance-The Shackleton Expedition". I saw this film in a Seattle theatre about 2 months ago. It does contain original footage and is narrated; about 90 minutes in length.I would imagine that it will soon be available on VHS/DVD inasmuch as it's first run should be over.It's an amazing story of perseverence under the most difficult of conditions and a must see for the entire family(although children under 12 or so might be bored).

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.

South: Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition is almost, but not quite the video I was looking for. Having seen a different film of the Shackleton Expedition, which included Hurley's original footage also, I was hoping that this would be the same film available on video. Unfortunately, it is not- it contains a slightly different set of footage (more on the animals, less on the expedition), and it was not narrated. It suffers on both counts. That said, I am very glad that at least some of the Hurley footage is available in VHS format.

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.