Search - NOVA: Shackleton's Voyage Of Endurance on DVD

Incredible Struggle of Human Endurance

B. Merritt | WWW.FILMREVIEWSTEW.COM, Pacific Grove, California | 03/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The voyage of the Endurance, a tough little ship designed to carry Commander Shackleton and his crew to the little-explored continent of Antarctica, is a story mired by the events that were unfolding around the world (most notably, World War I).

The filming of this documentary was phenomenal. The fact that professional film-grade stock and still photos survived are a testament to the will of the men who made it back to civilization. They seemed to know instinctively how important it was to save the photographs and images.

For those who aren't familiar with the history of the Endurance, it was the fated ship that tried to make it to Antarctica with sled dogs and supplies in an attempt to make it to the South Pole. They never made it. And this story might never have been told had it not been for the simple fact that the men survived 22 months in some of the most desolate and body-numbing cold imaginable. And not one man (not ONE!) died. Most, if not all, of the men's survival can be directly attributed to Commander Shackleton, a man of vigor and unwavering optimism. His skill, knowledge, and leadership led to the rescue of every single member of the party.

From crossing the worst seas on the planet in a rescue skiff, to spending long hours listening to the ice pack break up under their tents, this harrowing tale is something every school child needs to have knowledge of. Not because they were explorers and tried to make it to the South Pole; but because they didn't make it, and came away with something much more valuable: the understanding of the importance of life."

A powerful story of survival and leadership

Derrik Mantel | Maplewood, MN USA | 03/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This version of the saga of Shackleton aired on PBS. Since then several other commercialized stories for IMAX (as a 40 minute movie) and A&E (for a mini-series) have been released.

For time following its release this version was not available on DVD except to educational institutions for some reason. I searched Amazon off and on for three years before it became available at which time I purchased it without a second thought.

This version is the original NOVA documentary. IT IS SPECTACULAR.

It is well done. It interviews descendants of the expedition and historians as it tells this amazing tale. It also uses actual photos and video from the expedition while quoting the diaries and journal of the crew.

There are numerous leadership lessons to be gleaned from this film. In fact, some of my graduate school colleagues used the Shackleton story as a case study in leadership and group dynamics.

Anyone, young or old, will be inspired by and enjoy the insights presented in this story... not to mention be in awe of the expedition's men in their own right for what they "Endured."
"