Shackleton - The Greatest Survival Story of All Time (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw this film when it was broadcast on UK TV around Christmas 2001. It is a wonderfully acted and hugely evocative historic account of an amazing adventure story. Essentially a British period drama with some fine actors who are eminently believable in their roles. The Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branagh stars as Shackleton with Lorcan Cranitch and Mark McGann as his loyal lieutenants Frank Wild and Tom Crean.
The first part of the film may drag a little for those eager to get to the ice and the true adventure, but it sets a historical basis for what is to follow. How Shackleton is up against the odds even before his ship has sailed and the planning for an expedition that may not actually happen is a story in itself about Shackleton's self-belief and his intention not to fail those who have put their faith in him.
Once the story gets to the Antarctic, the frozen south and the pack ice, it inspires feelings of "How did they make that look so real, without actually doing it?". The atmosphere of being lost in the middle of endless pack ice is portrayed very realistically and the human emotions of those caught up in this drama are believable.
For those who do not already know the story, I would recommend reading it first in one of the many books available. For me this is one of, if not the most amazing stories of all time. It is like three incredible adventures back to back.
I won't spoil the full story for the uninitiated, but in the first adventure Shackleton's crew are stranded in the Antarctic pack ice for the winter, not a totally unexpected state of affairs in itself, but certainly not good news. This slowly turns to disaster as the ice crushes the ship leaving the crew stranded on crumbling ice, miles (hundreds of miles) from land with no way of summoning help. They manage to get to dry land eventually on Elephant Island.
Elephant Island is a respite, but no place to hang around. The second adventure then starts when Shackleton and five others have to cross 800 miles of the stormiest ocean in the world at on of the worst times of year in a 20-foot lifeboat.
This accomplished, they find themselves on the wrong side of a mountainous island having to cross peaks, ice fields and glaciers that no one had ever done before hand to reach a whaling station where from where rescue could be called. With no equipment and already exhausted, three of the men strive onwards and make it.
None of the 28 crew of the ship, the Endurance are lost against incredible odds.
A fabulous story, that is gripping for the Antarctic buff, history buff and any one who just enjoys a good tale.

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Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Longmonths of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour andrecognition in case of success." -Ernest ShackletonThe 27 men who joined hisexpedition found that Ernest Shackleton was true to his word. They had drifted with thepack ice of the Weddell Sea for ten months, their ship-- the Endurance-- had sunk, andthey were castaways in one of the most hostile environments on earth, hundreds of milesfrom land. And so, with his dream of becoming the first man to cross Antarctica longabandoned, Shackleton set his mind to a far greater challenge: bringing his crew safelyhome.Based on the detailed diaries and first-person accounts of expedition members,SHACKLETON tells the true story of their extraordinary ordeal, and the death-defying,800-mile journey in an open boat across the world's worst seas that made their rescuepossible. Written and directed by Charles Sturridge (Longitude, Brideshead Revisited),SHACKLETON stars Kenneth Branagh (Henry V, Hamlet) as the legendary explorer.

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Coco Chanel (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Coco CHANEL became a courageous, confident, fiesty and brave young woman when she was orphaned after her monther died and her father left her and younger sister at a convent in France. This is a very interesting story, well directed, filmed in beautiful France which demonstrates how CoCo faced each and every hardship in her life with grace and confidence, giving her continued hope for her future. Above all the negative, jealous people, CoCo maintained her focus, her infamous style and her dignity.
A must-see for anyone interested in how CoCo Chanel started in fashion, and for young women to view ways of overcoming hardships in life.

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Academy Award winning actress Shirley MacLaine stars as Coco Chanel in this critically acclaimed film that charts the rise of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. From her humble childhood and early days as a young dressmaker's assistant, to her passionate love affair with a dashing Englishman and ultimate success as a pioneering fashion icon, Coco Chanel is the story of a glamorous woman who was hard to love and harder to ignore. Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominated, Coco Chanel is a must-see film for every lover of fashion and romance.

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Invictus (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Rugby has never been well publicized in the US. Soccer, although not a ranking sport, receives far more publicity. Therefore, it was knowledge-expanding and stirring to observe the underdog South Africa team's road to a 1995 Rugby cup victory.
The accompanying plot, of course, was the work of Nelson Mandela in using this victory and its team preparation to try to unify South Africa. From our own trip in 1994, when the country was just opening up, we had an idea that there was much unrest and volatility. The nation was still racially divided, although the Apartheid enforced by a distinct white minority had just ended.
Mandela has never received credit for the job he did in keeping South Africa's peace, while trying to encourage foreign investment. He saw that merely seizing white-owned businesses and infrastructure would only be looting of a fixed amount of wealth. No growth could result from the types of activities that were occurring in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where white minorities had been ousted from power.
As the new President of South Africa, representing an overwhelming black majority, Mandela took a long term view of what was needed. He alienated a considerable portion of his own party to implement his program of racial reconciliation.
The movie provides an exceptional, well integrated blend of sports and far-seeing political strategy.
Some critics have heaped praise on Invictus, claiming that this represents director Clint Eastwood's work "at the top of his game." Other critics have carped about what they see as "trite" dialog. Perhaps if Mandela had been ranting against his racist predecessors and, even more, against the US, they would have enjoyed the dialog more. One critic claimed that too much artistic license was taken in portraying actual events of Mandela's interaction with the rugby team and its captain. These objections seem trivial.
Others have predicted that Morgan Freeman, in his role of Mandela, is a strong Oscar candidate. I hope that Invictus receives a potful of other rewards as well.
With all the negative, tragic outcomes of recent history and, of course, today's events, it was refreshing and stirring to see the rugby success of the South Africa team. More to the point, it represented a hopeful outcome for the nation as a whole.

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What does Nelson Mandela do after becoming president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives oppressors who jailed him 27 years for his fight against apartheid and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby field. Clint Eastwood (named 2009's Best Director by the National Board of Review) directs an uplifting film about a team and a people inspired to greatness. Morgan Freeman (NBR's Best Actor Award winner and Oscar nominee for this role) is Mandela, who asks the national rugby team captain (Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Matt Damon) and his squad to do the impossible and win the World Cup. Prepare to be moved--and thrilled.

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