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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition Stars: narrated by Liam Neeson Director: George Butler Scriptwriters: Caroline Alexander and Joseph Dorman Cowboy Booking International Running Time: 90 minutes Rating: G for general audiences Web site: www.cowboyBI.com (Note: voted Best Documentary for 2001 by the National Board of Review) When people sit around campfires and discuss heroic deeds, invariably, Sir Ernest Shackleton's name will come up. He did what few expedition leaders can claim: he brought back all 28 of his men alive. This is near miraculous, and then can be added the footnote of the photographer who brought back negatives and movie footage to finish the tale. Centuries from now people can stand in awe of the sailing vessel Endurance slowly listing as ice relentlessly crushes her hull and sends her to the bottom of the sea. What a hopeless and helpless feeling that must have been for the crew and for Shackleton. In 1914, exploration was big business. The poles were popular, especially the South Pole. Sir Ernest Shackleton decided to try it using the ship Endurance as transport. Frank Hurley came along for pictures, because even then, this was a source of income for future expeditions. Unfortunately, the ship became ice bound when the weather turned adverse. The decision eventually came to abandon ship and thought of rescue was remote. Imagine another decision: what is more important to you at this moment in 60 degree below zero weather? Carrying food or carrying camera and film? Photographer Frank Hurley didn't hesitate, he brought the camera and film. Shackleton and his men traveled over hundreds of miles of open sea to an island whaling station. However, they landed on the wrong side of the island, so Shackleton and two others crossed the island (mountain range and all) in 36 hours without sleep to complete the crew's rescue. Altogether, the men were considered "lost" for almost two years. An amazing documentary, adapted from scriptwriter Caroline Alexander's book, details all this and contains Frank Hurley's photographs as well. Be forewarned: you will feel chilly for days after viewing this film and food never looked so good. Copyright 2002 Marie Asner 1/13/2002
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