Some things I liked some I did not.

Excellent, a Must See

Brilliant and touching

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I saw "Shackleton" on A&E around 2002-03 and taped it because I thought it was so good, watched it again on Thanksgiving 2005, then it disappeared somewhere. I tried finding the DVD online, never could find one until FINALLY, about 2 weeks ago, I saw that Amazon had it for like $10. I immediately ordered the DVD and am waiting for a rainy, lazy weekend to watch it. It may be a while before I can view this fantastic adventure story again but at least I have the DVD in my possession--finally.I love Kenneth Branaugh, the man can't give a bad performance, and his portrayal of explorer Ernest Shackleton is among his best. The movie goes into great detail about how Shackleton managed to talk the British government into funding an expedition to Antarctica. He had already been down there before, but now he wanted to cross the continent pole to pole. He managed to get the money despite the fact that Britain needed it for the Great War, which had just started that year (1914). So Shackleton, on a ship named Endurance and a crew of men and dogs, set out for the South Pole. What starts out as a grand adventure turns into a struggle for survival in the middle of the frozen nowhere w/hardly any communication to the outside world. You just shake your head and wonder "Why did these guys even decide to do this and how are they going to get out it?" You have to watch this great movie to find out!

I've had the honor to sail past many of Shackleton's ill fated placed in Antartica, visit his grave on South Georgia, his ship in Dundee and now also own a bottle of the reconstructed Shackleton whisky so maybe a bit prejudiced if it comes to all things Shackleton. Nevertheless, I do think this is really a good movie and underrated. The way it's put together and played makes you feel the enthusiasm of putting the whole adventure together and the cold of the Antarctic. I've been in the Antarctic and, it can be bloody cold there indeed, and that was only summer time ! I strongly suggest you watch this movie. It's an interesting story that is being told, it's a true story that is being told, it's an amazing story that is being told. It's not about being a hero, it's about survival in harsh conditions, keeping spirits up, keeping a group together and motivated. Well written, well played, well depicted, marvelous.

I've read a lot of very good comments on this movie, but I have one more to add.A lot of people are complaining about the length of the movie, but I believe that it adds to the quality of the movie. Rather than just a two hour "short flick" about the year-plus long voyage, it drags out for 4 hours, and rather slowly at times. I have to believe that this mirrors the ordeal that these men went through and adds to the viewer's already deep plunge into the frozen ice world.This is by far one of the best TV movies I have ever seen. Kenneth does another fabulous job in a quality role, and to comment on someone else's observation about the film's lack of personalizing Shackleton in the second half, I also believe that to be a good choice and an accurate one. If you're leading an expedition and are dead set on keeping everyone alive, you cannot let your own emotions get involved in your decision-making, else you die with everyone else.I give this movie a 10 because I can find no obvious flaws or anything that takes away from the experience.

Earnest Shackleton is a lecturer and one-time adventurer who plotted a course to the North Pole but had to turn back when lives were at risk. However once the North Pole is crossed he plans a journey across the southern pole. Despite funding difficulties he sets out in 1914 on The Endeavour. Their journey to the south is dangerous but once there, their journey takes on new consequences as Shackleton's drive takes them into the ice flow where their ship is crushed by the ice and sinks. He attempts to lead his crew to safety.Brannagh always seems to dig out worthy films to star in and this retelling of history is just typical of him. The story is well told and, although it is stripped to the bones in some respects, it is on the money for the most part. The telling brings out some of the feeling of dread well but tries too hard to bring out the human drama. By cutting back to England and Shackleton's wife in particular, the story is slowed down a little – to the detriment of the expedition. At almost four hours this was bound to drag a little so it is understandable, but it could easily have been brought down in running time I felt.However the overall production looks great – gone are the days when TVM always meant low budgets and average actors. This has the feel of a blockbuster film but all the leisure and pace of a mini-series. The only problem is that the film feels very weighty, indeed this is due to the subject matter, but the worthiness of the film doesn't help lighten the pace.The acting is superb all round – you never doubt that these men are in this situation, and many of the English touches are spot on. Brannagh does another historical figure role that he does so well. In the first part he allows us to see Shackleton's drive and, perhaps, arrogance, as the cause of the events, but in part two he plays it much straighter, much more the determined leader. While this is fair and well done, I would have liked to see more of the human in him – this only comes out occasionally in the second part.Overall this is a slow paced film and it is a long one. It is a good representation of fact and is an interesting story. The production values are high and it is well acted, however those with short attention spans or a need to see things explode need not apply.