Dominion3 "The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary
Antarctic Expedition" documents the adventure of 28 men trapped by
pack ice for 10 months.
By Katie Leff
Daily Bruin Contributor
When a boat is christened the Endurance, it’s just begging
to be put to the test.
In 1914 the opportunity to challenge the expectations resulting
from this lofty title presented itself in the form of a treacherous
expedition to the Antarctic. Led by Sir Ernest Shackleton of
England and manned by 27 other men including Australian
photographer and cinematographer Frank Hurley, the Endurance set
sail from Plymouth, England on Aug. 8, 1914.
Their story has since been discovered by filmmaker George Butler
and brought to life on screen. “The Endurance:
Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition” was first
released in San Francisco to much acclaim, and made its Los Angeles
debut on Friday, Nov. 16.
The film chronicles the journey Butler would later compare to
some of the greatest works of literature ever written.
“It’s the greatest story ever told. It’s up
there with “˜The Iliad’ and “˜The
Odyssey.'”
After only six months at sea, in January 1915, the Endurance
became encumbered by pack ice only one day’s sail away from
their coveted destination. The boat was trapped, leaving the crew
with the formidable task of either waiting for warmer weather that
would melt the ice, or attempting to saw through their frozen
confines. They would remain there for 10 months.
To keep a close watch on the crew’s morale, Shackleton
organized soccer games, nights of theatrical entertainment and
other distractions. They were ensnared in the ice for 10 months,
and Shackleton kept a close watch on their health, both mental and
physical, at all times. Would the crew have survived without
Shackleton? Not likely.
The situation is put in perspective by Butler.
“If you take for example in 1996, nine people died on Mt.
Everest in one night, and in 1914, Shackleton and 27 other men
survived for 635 days in the Antarctic with temperatures of 60
below and 100 mph winds. They all survived; it’s not
common,” Butler said.
After reading a book by Caroline Alexander on this expedition to
the Antarctic titled “The Endurance,” the interest of
John Vanco, co-President of Cowboy Pictures, was piqued, prompting
him to learn more.
“I couldn’t get enough of it,” said Vanco.
Vanco went on to nurture his interest in this phenomenal story
of faith, dedication and survival, and eventually teamed up with
George Butler, who produced and directed the film.
Using live-action footage and photographs taken by Frank Hurley,
who was on the expedition, Butler brings the story of the Endurance
to life.
“I based my film on a book by Caroline Alexander. She had
found the photographs. It was my job to bring them to life,”
said Butler.
Hurley’s images have seen the screen before in a
documentary made in 1919, but according to Vanco, the impact is
incomparable to that generated by the film seen today by modern
audiences.
“Hurley’s original images are amazing, but it was
very disappointing in a lot of ways. It’s a 1919 silent
documentary so the narrative style and the tools he had to work
with didn’t make for the greatest viewing experience. It
wasn’t as compelling as it could have been,” said
Vanco.
Butler rectifies this problem by making the trek back up to the
Antarctic three times and returning with live shots of a modern
Antarctica. “The trick was to establish at the beginning of
the movie a conceit which you could get from old footage to new
footage seamlessly. We were able to assemble a film that had
tremendous forward motion without being jumpy,” said
Butler.
According to Butler, it is the original footage that allows a
sense of truth to resonate with the audience. When asked if the
film would have had the same impact without the inclusion of the
original photographs and live action footage, Butler replied
definitively, “Not a chance.”
Interviews with descendants of the members of the crew are also
included in the film.
“I felt that the relatives, or the descendants, of
Shackleton’s men gave the story a ring of absolute
authenticity,” said Butler.
It is Butler’s sense that this film will be especially
poignant in light of the events taking hold of our country
today.
“I think that this is a story that has tremendous
resonance now, especially after Sept. 11 because it’s a story
of leadership and courage. I think people will be ready for a story
like that … it is one of the best documented major expeditions
ever,” Butler said.
As a result of the archive photos, original film footage and the
available written material, one of the greatest survival stories
ever told is brought to life on screen.
According to John Vanco, “It’s interesting to be
involved in a film that has such a wide appeal. It’s exciting
because it’s the kind of thing that anybody can fall in love
with. It’s not something that’s just pointed towards a
certain kind of person.”
Thus far, the film has been well received.
“Normally films open at a certain point and then they drop
off. We’ve actually gone up in the fourth and fifth weeks.
That’s the most that you can hope for as a
distributor,” said Vanco.
According to Butler, the film has great potential to be a
success among the college-aged audience.
“Not many students know about Shackleton and the
expedition, but that’s changing fast,” Butler said.
“It’s turning into a kind of “Rocky Horror
Picture Show” deal where people turn into Shackleton
freaks.”