It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Sir Ernest Shackleton (Kenneth Branagh) is a celebrated explorer. He's planning for an expedition to journey across Antarctica. He recruits a crew, new equipment, and gathers funds for the trip. He has an affair with Rosalind Chetwynd. In 1914, war breaks out but he is still given the go-ahead for his expedition. His ship Endurance becomes trapped in the ice and crushed. He leads his crew to Elephant Island and eventually makes a desperate dash to the whaling stations on South Georgia Island.One would expect an intense man-against-nature thriller. This is a two part mini-series and the man-against-nature comes in the second part. The first part deals with his London life and his struggles to set up the expedition. It's very informative and more compelling than expected. The nature epic is compelling but something is missing. I couldn't figure it out until I realized their breathe aren't showing. It's obviously not cold enough during the shoot. It may be historically accurate with the summer temperatures but it doesn't elevate the danger level. In general, this is informative but it lacks the intensity.

There doesn't seem to have been any efforts spent in making this movie in the least bit realistic. Where are the breath clouds coming from their mouths in that atmosphere we are supposed to believe is the coldest on earth? They prance around in the cold just as chipper as squirrels wearing clothing that would be inadequate during a NY city winter. Also, their faces show no ruddy redness from being on the verge of frostbite supposedly constantly. The movie drags on with grim determination, like it's namesake. Having read Pierre Breton's book on the Arctic explorations to find a northwest passage, I was hoping for a movie that would take a more balanced look back at such monumental follies such as the Shackleton expedition, which could be so much more compelling when cast in a less pedestrian, predictable light.

I have read about and watched documentary programs of this expedition and the hugely motivational and enigmatic Ernest Shackleton before seeing this version of it. From the very beginning there was a good, professional look and feel to this movie. A lot of time is spent on the 'background information' before the actual voyage. Don't be impatient though. The voyage begins and then you feel like you had better strap yourself to your seat as the pace and emotive content of the film comes at you like a runaway train. I cannot give enough compliments for this film. Please, if you get the chance, sit back, relax and watch a bit of history...when men were men and all that :) [smile]

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.