Shackleton
Shackleton
August 1914. While the rest of England is preparing for war, explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is preparing to go to Antarctica. He intends to cross the largely unexplored continent via the South Pole and become the first person to do so. His expedition is a perilous and eventful one, one that will go down in the annals of human endeavour, survival, resourcefulness and endurance.
grantss reviewedMay 10, 2025
A bit dry but interesting and edifying nevertheless. 7/10
August 1914. While the rest of England is preparing for war, explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is preparing to go to Antarctica. He intends to cross the largely unexplored continent via the South Pole and become the first person to do so. His expedition is a perilous and eventful one, one that will go down in the annals of human endeavour, survival, resourcefulness and endurance.
I watched this because I wanted to know more about the famous Shackleton expedition. It was a good thing that I came to this wanting a history lesson rather than entertainment as it is a bit dry and unengaging. Kenneth Branagh seems ideal for Shackleton, on paper, but on screen comes across as quite stuffy and unengaging.
The mini-series does quite accurately capture the details, trials and tribulations of the expedition, making it good from an historical perspective. Definitely no glamorising or embellishing of what the Shackleton and his men went through. The series is strangely bereft of tension though, despite the constant threat of disaster and tragedy, further limiting the engagement.
Overall, interesting and edifying as a history lesson but don’t expect to be greatly entertained.