Reviews

My wife and I watched this in the mid-Eighties when it was broadcast here in the United States. I seem to remember it being shown on BBC's Masterpiece Theatre, which we were addicted to at the time...

This is a gripping movie and the characters are well-developed. Shot (as I remember) in Norway, the 'polar' scenes are very believable as are the costumes and props.

Anyone who is interested in this genre and period of history really owes it to themselves to read the book from which the movie was made: "The Last Place on Earth", by Roland Huntford. I loaned out my copy and it was never returned, but this is a very large, very well-written, can't-put-it-down book.

There is no spoiler to share: Everyone who knows anything about history knows that Scott lost the 'race', but while some (mainly Scott-supporters) may say that Huntford is biased in his telling of the race to the Pole between Amundson and Scott, the book and the movie draw the same conclusion and I believe the viewer will as well: Scott was a well-intentioned fool and has been glorified as the quintessential British Explorer/Martyr for all these years simply because his recovered diaries spin a better story. Amundson was not good at self-promotion.

I have been telling people how great this movie is for over twenty years. It has never been re-broadcast, so buying the movie is the only way to see it.

For another perspective on a TRUE British hero, people should read the book "Shackleton" by the same author.