27. South; movie review

 

SOUTH

Cert U

81 mins

BBFC advice: Contains no material likely to harm or offend

A hundred years ago, man had a deep respect for the power of Mother Nature.

Conquering the elements to discover uncharted places or climbing the world's highest mountains prompted international celebrations.

Even those who failed in their campaigns such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, were feted because people recognised the courage they had shown.

Nowadays, journeys to the South Pole are common place. There are even permanent stations there. In 1914, when Shackleton's expedition set out, only Amundsen and Scott had reached it - just three years earlier.

Scott's team died as they returned.

Shackleton aimed to cross Antarctica but his ship, The Endurance, became frozen in ice which eventually crushed and sunk it. They then faced the near-impossible mission to save themselves.

Official photographer, Frank Hurley, recorded the expedition from the flag-waving departure in Argentina to the triumphant return to Chile.

His silent film introduces the key members of Shackleton's crew and shows them going about their tasks and downtime during their two years together.

His captions make it plain how hard they worked during that time.

I struggle to imagine what it must have been like to be in the audience when Hurley first showed his movie in 1919.

They would have been seeing dramatic images of frozen landscapes and icebergs for the first time.

They would also have marvelled (as I did) at the way the 70 dogs were befriended and trained for the conditions (it is never said what happened to them when the expedition failed but I feared the worst).

Hurley's film is of considerable historic importance and is also gripping even for those who know how the Shackleton story ends.

For the 100th anniversary of Shackleton's passing, it has been digitally remastered by the BFI with its original toned and tinted colours with an evocative new score, composed by Neil Brand.

Reasons to watch: A record of one of history's epic voyages

Reasons to avoid: It is a silent film

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Shackleton’s first Antarctica expedition was with Robert Falcon Scott – on the ‘Discovery’ Expedition of 1901-1904. Shackleton was sent home on medical grounds (heart problems, reputedly) and didn’t finish the expedition.

The final word. Frank Worsley: “With cheerful Australian profanity [Hurley] perambulates alone aloft & everywhere, in the most dangerous & slippery places he can find, content & happy at all times but cursing so if he can get a good or novel picture." Bowers Museum

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