Shackleton (2002) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Hier liegt der magnetische Pol
und hier, das auf unserer Heimfahrt
gegen Nord entdeckte neue Land.
Danke.
Hier einen kleinen Adelie Pinguin
bei Besichtigugn eines Hundes.
Danke.
Und hier zwei Kaiser Pinguine bei derselben Beschaeftigung.
Danke, danke.
Nur ein Englaender koennte so
stolz sein auf sein Versagen.
Sie wollten den Suedpol erreichen, und
Thanks.
Haben sie versagt, und jetzt kommen sie her
What does Versagen mean?
Failure.
He say
I know what he's saying.
Thank you for your question.
You're right, sir, we failed.
We failed to reach the South Pole.
I turned back.
I chose life over death for myself and for my friends,
which is why I am here to tell you about it tonight.
But others follow in our footsteps:
Captain Scott, taking our route,
the Norwegian, Amundsen, from the Bay of Wales.
And if they should fail, then I will try again
because I believe it is in our nature to explore,
to reach out into the unknown.
The only true failure would be not to explore at all.
Danke.
Thanks.
Your German sounded almost perfect tonight.
Really?
I think they just don't want to be lectured
by an Englishman anymore.
The manager says The Daily Chronicle have telephoned
three times this evening.
They're on the line now.
Yes.
Thank you.
Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Yes.
I see.
What date exactly?
And Scott-where is he?
Well, it is truly extraordinary news
and I would offer him my heartiest congratulations.
Yes, you can quote me.
Thank you, good-bye.
Amundsen is back in Tasmania.
He says he reached the South Pole
on December 14, last year.
Looks like my career as a lecturer is over.
What about Scott?
No sign of him.
What's all that noise?
Oh, something Mike used to make us sing in Ireland
when we were children.
A temperance song, if you can believe it.
Um, Frank's here.
But don't worry, I'll deal with it.
Ah, yes, my boy.
Your aunts have come to pay you a visit.
They're a terrifying gang.
You should never listen to a word that any of them say.
They'll all be 102 by the time you grow up.
Aunt Kathleen, Aunt
I suppose I must get used to
creeping around like a criminal.
I'm glad you came.
I'm sorry, I couldn't face everybody-not all at once.
I've had enough lectures to last a lifetime.
Frank, you did the best you could.
You were just unlucky.
It's only money, after all;
it's never been one of our strengths.
My solicitor says I must prepare
myself for a prison sentence.
How does one do that, I wonder?
Walking around in circles practice, I suppose.
I could find you a pair of striped pajamas.
Make you a bowl of porridge or something.
Come on in.
It's just us.
Mikey, I do hope that all this is not going to hurt you-
your plans, I mean.
Oh, what plans?
What can I do?
The fashion at the moment is for dead explorers.
Come on.
My next expedition is to the seaside.
You promised.
I have the letter.
You said you'd never go back.
I know, but things have changed.
Besides, I can't lecture anymore.
I'm out of date.
I'm just one more explorer
who failed to reach the Pole-
the one who inconveniently happens to be alive.
Don't say that.
Don't ever say that.
What about your cigarette company?
I thought you were going to concentrate on that.
I don't think I'm much of a salesman.
Please, can we go paddling, Mama?
No, darling.
Please, Mom, please Mom!
You can do anything when you believe in it.
That's what I mean.
That's why I need to go back.
Please, Mom, please!
No, darling.
Children, listen to your mother.
She knows best.
One more trip south-that's all it will be.
I'll be too old to go again after that anyway.
I'll stay at home, I'll never take my slippers off.
You can nail them to my feet.
I promise!
Oh, my goodness!
I'm soaking wet.
Who put all this water here?
Children, help me!
Look, I'll be in London for a few days,
just to find out if it's possible.
Oh, good afternoon, Madam.
It'll just be business meetings-
very boring; You'd hate it.
Anyway, nothing will be different.
Shackleton.
I reserved a table for three.
Yes, sir.
Mrs. Chetwynd.
Sir Ernest has already arrived.
That was definitely a funny look.
Darling, they don't go in for funny looks.
That's why I come here.
Good God.
Half London seems to be in uniform these days.
They can't possibly all be real.
There's a costumier somewhere
making a fortune.
How's school?
I did my recitation today.
Miss Rourke was very pleased.
Who were you?
Portia.
Ooh! Very stern.
What's this? Give that back.
Oh, dear, I think my brother's developing
an interest in modern art.
Can I have that back, please?
What on earth is it?
I'd say it's either
an elephant with an arrow through its head
or it's the South Pole.
No prizes there.
Let me see it.
Can we order?
Thank you.
You said you'd never go back.
Don't worry; No one will let me.
Can I have my menu, please?
You said you didn't want to go back.
I know what I said.
A race to the Pole.
What I'm proposing is something much more important.
The public likes a race,
and The Chronicle likes what the public likes.
The public will like this: I'm
crossing the entire continent-
the longest Antarctic or Arctic journey ever attempted,
mostly over completely unexplored territory.
I'd still prefer a race.
Thank you, Helen.
It must be an expensive business.
How much do you need?
Uh, to equip the whole expedition,
um, about �60,000.
So, do you want to make a public appeal?
No, I've tried that before.
The accounting is impossibly complicated.
I'm looking for a small group of private investors.
Well, if it helps, I may know some people
who might be interested in the moving-picture rights.
Please sit down.
I may be even interested myself.
If there's a war, the newsreel's
going to be very important.
But what about your brother?
Well, the timing of the trial is unfortunate,
but it'll be over soon.
It's a matter of �1,000.
Do you know Frank Hird?
Well, I've met him.
Mr. Hird is telling anyone that'll listen
that your brother stole �60,000 from his father,
Lord Ronald Gower.
He says you introduced Lord Ronald to your brother
and knew all about it.
Hird is a madman.
I put the matter in the hands
of my solicitors and he withdrew
his allegations immediately.
So it's not true?
That I was involved-
absolutely not.
Thus, ladies and gentlemen,
it is my hope and my intention
to make this journey to the Pole and the mysteries beyond,
crossing the entire Antarctic continent
from one side to the other.
Close your eyes for a moment,
please, and imagine Antarctica.
Let your mind wander across a frozen sea,
waves twisted into fantastical shapes,
icebergs like fairy castles,
shimmering in pearly shades of cobalt blue and rose
and silence-utter, absolute,
broken only by the thundercrack of splitting ice.
The last page of that great atlas
drawn by the explorers of the ancient world
lies open before us,
and what shall we call it-
this new land we have just discovered?
We'll call it "Archibald Dexter's Land."
Mr. Frank Wild, I thank you.
I give you Archibald Dexter's Land.
And that heavenly peak
that has just appeared out of the mist?
Mount Jack Morgan.
Exactly, Mr. Morgan-Mount Jack Morgan!
Well, he's convinced there's going to be a war.
Yes, I know, he told me.
I suppose the band was your idea.
Guilty.
Well?
Well what?
How did you do?
One invitation to go to the races.
And a request from Mr. Morgan's office
to keep in touch with development.
Zero, naught, nothing.
So what's next?
I don't know.
Rent an office and get started, I suppose.
Excuse me, sir.
Yes, what is it?
I've come about the job.
I'm sorry I'm early.
How did you know who I was?
I've seen your picture, sir.
Well, come on, open the door there.
So what's your name?
Sparks, Marcie Sparks.
Well, take these, then.
How do you spell "apostrophe," Marcie?
Sir?
"Apostrophe" - how do you spell it?
A-P-O-S-T-R-O-P-H-E.
What do you think, Frank?
No idea, boss.
Me neither, but it sounds convincing-
that's half the battle.
Yes, I'll take this one, Frank.
Marcie, this is Frank Wild, my second-in-command-
most experienced Antarctic man you'll ever meet.
How do you do.
Tom Crean, who was with Captain Scott's party last year,
but we won't hold that against him, will we, Tom?
How do you do? Pleased to meet you.
Come on, then, let's see what you're made of.
To the editor of The Times.
Sir, it has been an open secret for some time
that I have been desirous of leading another expedition
to the South Polar regions.
Tom, be a good fellow, pop downstairs,
put a note on the door that says the position is filled.
I can announce that such an
expedition will start next year.
"I have taken the liberty of calling the expedition
the Imperial Trans-Antarctic."
Who the bloody hell does he think he is?
Apparently, he's been promised
�10,000 by the government.
Only if he raises all of the rest of the money first.
Lloyd George is no fool.
Where is Shackleton going to find �60,000?
He hasn't even paid for his last expedition.
I hope he's not expecting to get any money from us.
This is the Royal Geographical Society.
It's not the Royal Antarctic Exploration Society.
We have other responsibilities.
Gentlemen, I would advise caution.
It's not in our power to stop him.
If we try and he goes ahead,
the newspapers, who are his friends,
will only make us look foolish.
I propose that we volunteer a small donation
before he asks for a larger one, of, shall we say �1,000.
Very well, I shall make it in two payments of �500
and I will make it clear to Sir Ernest
that we do not expect him to ask for the second payment.
In writing.
I beg your pardon, Sir John?
Get him to agree to that in writing.
Hear, hear.
So, you have some money.
Well, �500 will barely keep the expedition in dog food.
What about this friend that you said was so generous?
Mr. Harvey seems to have changed his mind suddenly.
But you have an office and you're advertising for men.
No, I'm not
Well, yes, I am
and we've, uh, we've made a start.
Thank you.
So it is definite.
Nothing is definite.
Goodness me!
There's two more sacks downstairs.
I'm George Marston, official artist
Putty, you old bastard!
Sometimes known as Putty.
You sold a painting yet?
Yes, I have, as a matter of fact.
George.
Tom.
Let me take those.
Well, seems half the country want to come with us.
The boss made the announcement sound too damn comfy.
Is he here?
No-he's out on the stump.
My party, having sailed through the melting ice
of the Weddell Sea,
will land here, at Vahsel Bay
and there we will make a base;
and a smaller party will start a march towards the, um
Scone?
The scone, precisely.
At the same time a second group will land
on the other side of the continent, the Ross Sea,
and make their way across the Beardmore Glacier,
towards the Pole-I-I-I mean, the scone-
laying food depots as they go
so that my party will have supplies for the second half
Oh, Bannis, stop that!
Bannis, get off.
There you go.
Oh, I'm so sorry, Sir Ernest; He's got such a sweet tooth.
I'm being funded by the government
and by the Royal Geographical Society
and I have several private sponsors
but of course there is still
a few thousand pounds I need to find
before we are completely secure.
It must require great courage
to return to a place where you've suffered so much.
"What I aspired to be,
"And was not, comforts me:
"A brute I might have been,
but would not sink i' the scale."
Robert Browning.
A favorite of mine.
Mine, too.
It's not given to all of us to live a life like yours
but you have the power to share your vision
and take us with you.
Thank you.
Now I must let you go.
It's a long journey to London,
and you have much to do.
Yes, well, uh, thank you for seeing me
and, uh, perhaps you will be able to give some thought
to the possibility of becoming a sponsor.
Sir Ernest, my contribution towards your exciting adventure
is over there on the desk.
Please.
I'm not the sort of woman to waste a man's time.
Miss Stancomb-Wills, I don't know how to thank you.
By succeeding, of course,
and perhaps by addressing me in future as Janet.
Francis Shackleton, this court has heard
how you have violated all the rules of commercial morality
in defrauding a lady, advanced in years,
who believed that you were not only her financial advisor
but also her friend.
You own bankruptcy precludes your ability to repay her
but it is the duty of this court to make it clear
that we cannot tolerate behavior of this sort.
I therefore sentence you to 15 months hard labor.
"What, no more?
"Pay him 6,000 and deface the bond.
"Double 6,000
"and then treble that
"before a friend of this description
"shall lose a hair
through Bassanio's fault."
"First go with me to church and call me wife"
"And then away to Venice, to your friend,
"for never shall you lie by Portia's side
"with an unquiet sole.
You shall have gold to pay the petty debt 20 times over."
What do you think?
I think you should have defended Frank.
Don't patronize me!
I'm not.
If you want to be an actress,
you will be an actress.
Knowing what you want is the hard part, not getting it.
Promise?
Promise.
And what if all I want is
for you to stay here with me?
"My purse, my person, my extremist means,
lie all unlocked to your occasions."
But only for another half an hour.
Ever since I read the advertisement in the newspaper
I haven't been able to sleep with excitement.
My parents were a bit nervous at first
but my mother advised me to line
a bath filled with ice cubes.
She said it might help me to make up my mind
but I was quite sure.
This is a difficult one-
a 53-year-old Cambridge parasitic biologist.
Does he go in "hopeless" because he's 53
or "mad" because he studies parasites at Cambridge
and everyone knows he'll go to Oxford.
Now he's in both.
Um, do you think he
Don't worry, Mr. Hudson, he knows you're here.
Yes, I know.
I just couldn't
Well, I had to come.
A letter just didn't seem enough.
And you think that this will work?
In theory, yes, sir.
I'm good with machines.
Came up to town on my motorbike this morning.
This is the bike that broke down?
Yes, sir,
but I had it fixed in a jiffy.
Yes, of course.
Could you build this?
I don't see why not.
"We three sporty girls have decided to write
"and beg of you to take us with you
on your expedition to the South Pole."
I heard that. No.
Marcie?
Yes, boss?
Polite note.
We're going to the admiralty
to persuade the first lord
to give us Captain Orde-Lees.
Yes, boss, you've got Dudley Docker at 3:00.
Yes, I know, Mr. Hudson,
you're a navigator.
Excuse me.
Wait here, please.
Now, whatever you do, keep your mouth shut.
Let me do the talking.
Yes, sir.
What was your name again?
Orde-Lees, Thomas Tom even.
Nobody calls me Tom.
Ready?
Yes, sir.
You're not nervous.
No, sir.
Sir?
Don't worry, I won't be a moment.
We just have a quick question.
Sir, you can't go in there. Sir!
Well, I'm off for a game of golf now.
Do you play?
No, sir.
Me neither.
Ah, thank you, Mr., uh
Hudson.
Can I give you a lift anywhere?
Uh, no, thank you, I think I'll walk.
Might even dance, if you don't mind.
Sir Mr. Hudson
I have 300 applications for navigators, you know.
Yes, sir, but I was just wondering
Hop in; You've got 20 minutes to yourself.
My work has brought me a great deal of money.
That's why you're here, I take it.
Yes, sir.
You could play, now.
That's just as important.
Last year, I took the whole year off.
Bloody marvelous!
Have you ever done that?
No, I haven't.
You should try it-
simple and damned effective.
I've taken three months off now
and six months off next year
and do you know something?
I have never felt better.
That's what I look for in a man, do you see?
Well, you know what I mean.
Can't afford to be unhealthy
in your business, can you?
No, quite.
Without good health you can't produce wealth.
That's the motto.
I've told the prime minister
I'd have half the cabinet on the street
if I had my way.
Poor health.
Hmm, how can you run the country
if you can't run your own body properly?
You see my point?
Yes, I certainly do.
And what does the army have to say about this?
My C.O. was most sympathetic.
In fact, it was his idea, really, that I should apply.
Said I was probably most suited to Arctic work.
If the regiment was called up,
of course, I'd have to come back.
But I'd make my own way.
I'm used to that.
I had an introduction to the late Captain Scott,
whose work I've very much admired,
but, of course, that isn't of much use now
but, uh, I thought I'd try my luck anyway.
I saw the signs, plain as you like:
Burlington Street.
But this is the thing: It was filled with ice.
The whole bloody street was packed with ice
and there I was sailing straight down it.
I mean, I don't normally remember dreams at all,
but this
Where will the sun set this evening, Mr., um
Worsley.
Worsley. Thank you.
Over there, 6:47.
So, I got straight up, came to Burlington Street,
I didn't know what I was looking for, but, um
well, you can imagine what I felt
when I saw your sign downstairs:
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
What else could I do?
I walked straight up.
My aim is to teach the expedition how to prepare
simple dishes in different ways.
An artist can create a great painting
with a limited palette of colors;
a good chef can use a few ingredients
to create a thousand dishes.
Thank you, Senor Ardenina.
Leave it.
It's a still picture anyway.
It doesn't matter if it's going or not.
Yes, sir.
Join the line.
Ladder.
Thank you. Stay there.
Thank you, gentlemen.
There is a suspicion in some quarters
that these machines you're going to take,
though useless in scientific exploring,
have a great effect upon the public.
My Lord, I cannot ignore the public.
Is that not an admission of my point?
I'd call it a statement, not an admission.
What weight do you carry in your airplanes?
It is not an airplane;
it's a sledge with an airplane propeller.
I see.
Are you taking an expert in dog driving?
Yes, one.
All the dogs will follow the leading team
so only one expert handler is
required on this sort of ground.
It is the nature of the ground, Sir Ernest,
that is of course the great uncertainty.
You might, for example,
come across a mountain range.
Possibly.
And if you did it would really be
scientifically much more interesting to explore that
rather than your journey straight across.
The journey across is the thing I have set myself to do.
I thought I had made that clear.
I do not believe there is a single individual
living under the Union Jack in any part of the empire
who would not wish the first national flag
carried across the Antarctic to be British.
Save your speeches for the papers;
we're here to discuss the advancement of knowledge.
Then we share a common purpose.
Sir Ernest, you must understand
that as scientists, it's inevitable
that this committee will put the science first.
My Lord, I not only accept that; I embrace it.
But grateful as I am
for generous contributions of this society
this committee must accept
that scientists do not pay for science.
I make no apology for seeking publicity.
Without something that the newsmen can understand
and support, there is no pubic;
without the public, there are no sponsors;
without sponsorship, there is no expedition.
Believe me, I wish there were an easier way.
Fan; And roll camera.
Fan, snow and action!
The snow's not very realistic, you know.
It should come up from below more.
Really?
When I get a moment I'll tell him that.
Ernest, let's leave them to it, shall we?
Just think of the money they're paying.
Anyway, I've got something I want to show you.
Now, I've found a ship.
Where?
Norway. Built by the Belgian explorer de Gerlache
for Arctic tourists, but he can't sell it.
I think we can get it for a good price.
How much?
You worry too much.
She's called Polaris.
We'll have to come up with a better name.
What is this?
It's a moving picture,
called Home of the Blizzard.
Made a fortune in Sydney
and I'm trying to get the rights to show it here.
Shot by a chap called Hurley, Frank Hurley.
Well, there's nothing new about moving pictures, you know.
I know, but this man's different.
He makes you feel you're right there
standing on the snow with him.
Look, penguins!
The public just love them.
That's what we need in our film, lots of penguins.
If we get Hurley, our film company could raise
another �10,000 at least.
That way, we may be able to pay for that ship of yours-
whatever you call her.
Endurance-that's what we should call her,
for my family motto.
What's your motto?
"By endurance we conquer."
If you don't want your food, leave it alone.
Don't sit there just picking at it.
For God's sake go up to your room if you're finished!
Cecily, if you've finished, too, you can run along.
May I have some more potatoes?
Later, darling.
Run along.
None of us see very much of you now.
This is important to us.
I know, I'm sorry.
I've got two sponsors who want to withdraw their money
because they're terrified there's going to be a war,
and the Norwegian's demanding payment for the ship.
If it doesn't leave London by the end of this month,
I lose all chance of getting to Antarctica this year.
I might as well stop now.
So, you're going to Scotland?
Yes, to see Sir James Caird.
Oh, Sir Ernest, times are hard with the war a-coming
but would ten shillings be of any assistance
in your great expedition
and would you mind telling me if there's any change?
I- I-I'm sorry.
Children, this is your father speaking.
I am on my knees;
I am so sorry I shouted.
But please, would anyone like to come down the street
to purchase a tuppence' worth of ice cream?
Princes Street.
Right, sir.
Sir James will see you now.
The Austrians are convinced
that the assassination of their archduke
was financed by the Serbs.
If they declare war, Germany will follow
and France and Russia will be close behind.
Much as he may wish to temporize,
the prime minister will have little alternative
but to support his allies.
Sir James, I know my duty if war is declared.
Oh, my meaning was that you will have little time
to succeed in your plans.
You will surely have to leave next month
if you're to reach the Antarctic this season.
The Endurance is ready to sail.
Once she has been paid for.
Dudley Docker-
the chairman of B.S.A.- has
donated the funds to cover that.
Of course, but, uh, if Docker's
money is paying for the ship,
what will you use to provision her?
I will soon have sufficient.
I see.
Swallows!
Pretty, aren't they?
"Free as a bird" - that's what they say, is it not?
I've always envied that.
But who's to say they do not look down and envy us?
I've examined Lord Iveagh's copy
of your projected accounts.
If my calculations are correct, the shortfall is �24,000.
Is that fair?
Yes.
You've already mortgaged moving picture rights
to a film company
and the photographic and story rights
to The Daily Chronicle,
so you have nearly half your expenses yet to find
and nothing left to sell!
And I'm a prudent man, Sir Ernest,
and cannot risk my money
on an expedition that may never take place.
And what about your family?
How will they survive when you've used
every conceivable resource of the expedition
to finance its very existence?
My family understand that the expedition must come first.
And if you fail?
I will not fail!
You think the threat of war makes it hard to raise money.
It doesn't make any bloody difference!
If it's not a war, it's a peace
or the stock market or the weather or the time of year.
It is always hard because what I do
appears unreasonable to other men - I know that.
But I will be in Antarctica this year, I promise you.
I'm sorry.
Thank you for your time.
No, sit down, please.
Please.
I asked you to come here
because I had to make a decision.
After this conversation,
I realize there is only one option open to me
if I am to protect myself
and my money.
This is a check for �24,000.
If I were to give you less,
the expedition might never happen
and my money would be wasted.
I do not like waste.
I particularly do not like to see a man's abilities wasted.
There is only one condition.
Try to persuade your other contributors to return to you
some of the expedition's rights.
I believe a man should be rewarded
for his efforts.
Lady Shackleton.
Yes.
I'm sorry to call so late.
My name's Harbour.
This is Mr. Grainger.
Is your husband in?
He's in Scotland.
Thank you, Becky.
I have here a summons to appear before a magistrate
in connection with an application for the repayment
of �1,000 owed to Miss Mary Brown.
Now, in light of your husband's imminent departure
to foreign parts,
the court has authorized an emergency hearing
to consider the matter.
Mobilization is expected any day now.
Dobbs and Brocklehurst have already left
to join their regiments,
so it leaves us consulting the Admiralty.
Both the doctors have spoken to me
and as a royal naval reservist,
I may be called in myself.
If it happens, Captain.
If it happens.
You will take the ship down to Margate as planned.
If war has not been declared,
then you will sail to South America.
Is that understood?
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Not now, Marcie.
Marcie!
Shut the door.
Don't let anybody else in.
Are you all right, sir?
Yes, I'm all right now.
Just a touch of, uh, sciatica.
I get it sometimes.
Could you pour me a glass of water, please?
If it's in connection with the expedition,
I think we're pretty well full up.
Well, maybe not, then.
Those men
They say they're here to
Yes, I know why they're here.
Tell Captain Worsley to go back to the ship.
I'll meet him there later.
And get me a checkbook.
They want money.
If I pay them, they will go away.
I haven't got time to deal with them now.
Yes, sir.
Marcie!
Uh, there's no need to say anything about this.
The sciatica.
That's right.
Yes.
The men are waiting in the ward room, boss.
Thank you, Frank-any news?
There's a rumor
that the navy's being mobilized.
At ease, men.
First, let me say that if war is declared,
any man who wishes to leave the
expedition to serve his country
will be free to do so.
It is clear to me where our first duty lies
and this morning,
I telegraphed the First Lord of the Admiralty
and put our ship and every one of us
at his disposal.
We now await his decision.
I hope you will forgive me, but I particularly ask
that if he saw fit to employ us
in the service of our country,
he might allow us to stay together,
perhaps aboard a destroyer.
I did this because I can honestly think
of no finer group of men with whom to serve.
Thank you.
Three cheers for the boss.
Hip! Hip!
Hooray!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Yes.
Still nothing.
Hudson's at the telegraph office.
He'll stay there till something comes through.
They'll tell us to wait, I know it.
We wait, we'll lose the ice.
It will be another year before we could go again,
and by that time, it will be too late.
There will be a war on.
I like the idea of us serving together on a destroyer.
Do you really think they'd let us stay together?
Where's the boss?
It's from Winston Churchill.
There's only one word.
"Proceed."
I think we can take that as a
direct order from the Admiralty.
Do you agree, gentlemen?
Yes, sir.
Skipper?
Yes, sir.
Let's get on with it, then.
I have to go back to London for a week or two
to make our final arrangements.
I'll meet you all in Buenos Aires.
His Majesty was pleased to read in the newspapers
that the Endurance had sailed yesterday.
When will you be leaving, Sir Ernest?
Next month.
I have business matters first.
This will only be a brief meeting, I'm afraid.
Of course-I understand.
Sir Ernest.
Your Majesty.
I had promised you a flag, I think.
I had hoped to present it onboard.
See your ship and all that.
But they canceled,
because of all this fuss the Austrians are making.
Pity, really.
Does the heart good, don't you think?
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra
tells me you have a fine ship.
What do you call her?
Endurance.
She sailed for South America yesterday.
Of course, I telegraphed Mr. Churchill first
I know, I know.
We all face a hard road, Sir Ernest.
And who is to say
which of us should envy the other?
So there is no hope.
The prime minister informs me
that we will be at war by the morning,
possibly even tonight.
It is a terrible thing to be responsible
for the lives of so many.
A terrible thing.
Yes, sir.
My great-great-great-great-grandfather, George II,
was the last king to lead his army in battle.
170 years ago.
Dettingen, against the bloody French.
No such luck for me, though.
When do you leave?
September 19, on the La Negra with the dogs.
Dogs.
You're taking dogs?
Yes, Your Majesty.
How many?
69, sir, from Canada.
Marvelous.
That's marvelous.
Dogs, imagine that.
They must be a comfort to you.
Oh, yes, sir.
Well, here it is.
The flag.
Now, make sure you bring it back.
I will, sir.
Thank you.
Sir Ernest.
Do you feel fear when you embark
on an adventure such as this?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Yes, of course.
Godspeed.
I'm coming with you! I'm coming with you!
I know you want to,
but you need to look after your mother.
Kids, wave.
Come along, come along.
In here.
Keep those two apart.
That's it.
Good morning.
Everything's ready?
They're all onboard, boss.
Those were the last of them.
Good-where's that dog handler?
We lost him.
What do you mean?
Buggered off back to Canada.
Got a lad from the dogs' home.
He's agreed to come with us
as far as Buenos Aires.
You have a visitor.
What?
A visitor.
Dr. Mcllroy is with her.
They look more like wolves than dogs.
Yep, they probably are.
Just hope they don't get ill.
He was useless anyway-the dog man!
Darling, what are you doing here?
Seeing you off.
Dr. Mcllroy has been taking care of me.
I'll just go and see if Frank needs a hand.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have come.
Don't worry about him.
I'm not worried about him.
I'm worried about you.
Hi.
That's Lady Chetwynd.
Yes, indeed.
The boss doesn't look too pleased.
How does Emily do it?
Does she get used to it?
Does it get better?
Does she make a fool of herself, too?
Emily isn't like that.
Isn't she?
Wait here, please.
Oh, God.
I meant to play this very gracefully.
Be very British and all that and look at me.
Uh, boss, reverse.
Yes.
Emily!
What are you doing here?
I'm sorry about that.
It was just someone
I know who she is.
Your father telephoned just after you left.
Frank is being released from prison on Wednesday
and I thought you'd want to know.
Yes.
Look, I have to go with them-see them aboard ship,
but I won't sail.
I'll I'll take a ship next week.
I'll be back tomorrow.
I love you.
Eleanor.
What are you doing here?
You know there might be newspapermen.
There's been no announcement
of the release of the royal right.
What are you wearing?
I've, um, joined the nursing reserves.
I go to France next week.
Next week?
There's going to be a war, Mikey.
I had to do something.
Not yet.
Look.
You stay here.
You're the conspicuous one.
The paper said you'd sailed.
Yeah, I had some things
to finish before I left
and I wanted to see you.
Well, I I've been quite a celebrity these past weeks.
What, with all the noise you've been making.
I even discussed your intimate
intentions with the governor.
Here.
He'll be very sad to have missed you.
I'm sorry, I was
I was never as good as you at looking brave.
I've had a very horrible time
with nobody to help me.
You're safe now.
No.
Uh, no, no, thank you.
I didn't have to choose this life, you know.
I know.
I I'm sorry,
I don't know what to say.
What can you say?
You're leaving both of us.
There's nothing either of us can do about it.
Just seems so horrible that she had to have all the tears.
Let me write to you when I'm onboard ship.
I'll be clearer then.
Anything I say now won't be what I mean.
What do you call her?
Who?
Her nickname.
"Mouse."
Everybody has a bloody nickname with you.
Everybody except me.
Do you know one of your men asked me what mine was
and I had to say that I didn't have one.
And he asked what would I choose.
I said "Honey."
Isn't that pathetic?
I love you.
I couldn't go on without you, and that is the truth.
But I don't know what to do.
You have to go, I know you do.
If you didn't, who would you be?
I've sent the servants out on errands.
Although they were a little surprised
by my urgent need for butter, Scotch and string.
How is the tea?
I hope it's all right; I made it myself.
Thank you, yes.
Have you spoken to the military?
I saw Kitchener yesterday.
He said I was too old and that it would be impossible
to give me a job at the moment.
Well, then, where's the argument?
Are you worried about your family?
I seem to be worried about everything.
Well, don't be!
I may be of little use to you and your men
in the Antarctic,
but I can be of help here.
I'll make sure that your family is safe.
I'll make it my business!
Nicely.
I can be nice.
A rich old lady gets used
to people not telling her the truth-
flattering her, perhaps-
but you've never done that.
You've always paid me the compliment
of speaking from your heart.
Now allow me to do the same.
Go to the pole.
Go before it's too late.
Not everyone is fortunate enough
to understand their own talent
but you know yours.
Well, use it
for your family and for your country.
Wait here, mate.
I'll go aboard
and get some help with those boxes.
Can I help you?
Is this the Endurance?
It is.
Frank Hurley, photographer and filmmaker.
Mcllroy, surgeon and temporary night watchman.
Welcome aboard.
Where is everybody?
Shore leave; They'll be back later.
We've had rather a chaotic time getting here.
Ship handles like a pig in open water,
used up all our coal,
ended up hacking the deck to bits to get here on time.
Some of the crew went a bit wild.
Yeah, so I see.
Where's Ernest?
I'm supposed to report to him.
Arriving tonight on the Urugayo.
Have you got any bags?
I've got a few bags with me, yes.
Mmm, I'll give you a hand.
Sir Ernest, I'll have your luggage sent up straightaway.
Very good.
Welcome to Buenos Aires!
We've arranged a suite on the first floor.
Thank you.
How long have you been here, Frank?
Five days.
Holness has been here two weeks-
a bit of trouble on the voyage.
So I heard-
I ran into Onde-Lees at the docks.
He says there was too much alcohol onboard.
I wouldn't pay any attention to him.
But I think the skipper's style
was a little informal:
the crew called him "Wuzzels."
What?
"Wuzzels."
"Wuzzels?"
The ship was a bit of a mess when she arrived-
they were burning the dog kennels as fuel
for the last three days.
Don't worry, the ship's carpenter,
McNeish, seems to have it in hand.
What about the rest of the men?
One or two seem a little undisciplined.
Well, I can't do anything about it now,
but tell "Wuzzels" I want a full inspection
at 800 hours tomorrow morning.
Is that understood? Yes.
We got here, anyway.
Yes, boss.
Captain, is everybody present?
No, sir, we're missing able seamen Erving and Barr.
Where are they?
Well, sir, we have been looking for them-
there may have been some confusion about leave.
Dismiss them.
Well, I think it's
Pay them off, Captain!
Our lives-all our lives-
depend on each other.
There can be no one on this ship
who does not understand that.
What was that?
Ship's cat, sir, Mrs. Chippy.
Mrs. Who?
Mrs. Chippy, sir.
He's mine.
McNeish, ship's carpenter.
Well, Mr. Chippy,
keep Mrs. Chippy out of the way
when the dogs come onboard.
Anybody else not present?
Well, sir, the cook is below,
but I'm afraid he's unable
Frank, get him out of here,
I want him off this ship!
Find him a room somewhere,
we'll send his kit on later.
Right-come on, let's go!
Let's go!
That's it, here we go now.
So-who wants to make breakfast?
Well, I think I can manage
to brew some coffee.
And you are?
Frank Hurley, I arrived last night.
Mr. Hurley, a prince among men,
so they tell me.
Ernest Shackleton,
two sugars and no milk.
I'll give you a hand
Your Highness.
Skipper, I don't intend to dwell
on the events of the voyage here.
Well, sir, we had
I don't need an explanation!
Nor do I wish there to be any confusion
about how the ship will be run from now on.
I propose that for the duration of the voyage to Vahsel Bay
I will assume the post of captain
and you will be the sailing master.
I will continue to address you as "Skipper."
That way your authority is less likely
to be undermined.
You will resume the captaincy
only when I have gone ashore.
Is that understood?
Yes, sir.
Yes!
Room service.
Ah, Mr. Hurley, thank you.
It smells delicious.
Was there something else?
I wonder if now would be a good time
to discuss my contract of employment.
Certainly-it'll be the same
as with the Mawson Expedition:
�300 per annum payable in arrears.
And 25% of the photographic and film rights.
I'm afraid not.
They've already been sold to the Daily Chronicle.
Sir, I was told I'd get 25% of the rights;
I wouldn't have come otherwise.
I can't help you, the deal's been done.
And this is excellent coffee,
by the way.
That deal was done without consulting me!
I know.
And without you, we would not be here.
I am again in your debt.
Well, I'm afraid, sir,
it appears that I am the one who is in debt.
You see, Skipper, you have to be strong,
show them who's boss.
Now
Where am I going to find another cook?
What's going on?
I'm leaving.
Leaving?
Why?
The prince has been refused his ransom by the king.
If it's any consolation,
he's lucky the king didn't ask him
to pay the ransom himself.
What?
He asked me for a loan.
There's a problem paying for some of the supplies
and I have an arrangement with a bank here
that allows me to access funds.
Jesus.
Starboard side.
She's a beauty!
From London, too!
Fancy giving her a go?
Excuse me, sir?
Yes?
You looking for crew?
I served on the Golden Gate;
ran aground a month ago.
You're a bloody Yank!
No, I'm from Canada,
loyal subject of the Empire!
Well, come aboard
and meet the boss, then.
Thank you, sir!
Oh, not you, son.
Oh, I'm from Wales and I'm very loyal, too.
We can't take children where we're going.
Frank, meet Charles Green, our new chef.
Now, I need you to have a word
with the manager of the Andes,
where he's presently employed.
Well, this is Mr., um
William Bakewell from Canada.
Excuse me a moment, will you?
Mr. Hurley!?
I'm sorry, sir, but I have no alternative!
Give me your hand, Mr. Hurley.
25%, wasn't it?
Yes, sir, that's right.
That's settled, then.
By the way, I hope you brought your dinner jacket.
Sir?
Farewell dinner with the Argentine government tonight.
See you there.
Mr. Bakewell!
I'll take them
I think I know the drill by now.
Thanks.
The English have such an affinity with animals
that it's part of our character.
Don't anticipate problems
Mawson has a theory
that the heavy rainfall here in Argentina
is a direct consequence of the ice
not melting the Weddell Sea.
Gentlemen may I, on behalf of my government,
wish you every success on your voyage
and present you with this small token.
A radio receiver,
which will allow you to receive our time signal
on the first day of every month.
Senor Ornelli, if you please.
Sir Ernest, gentlemen,
I have one more guest to present to you.
As you see, he's come dressed for the occasion.
Load the animal off the table.
Oh, shush, he's doing no harm.
I don't care, I'm eating.
Here there's no need to frighten her.
So he said
we'd spend the winter at Vahsel Bay.
We were told to deliver them there,
then return to Buenos Aires
till the ice broke up next summer.
Well, my guess is he's afraid if he lets us go
nobody'll ever come back and find him again.
Are we all here?
Where's Hudson?
Kidnapped, we understand,
by a group of young ladies,
but he promised to be back by morning.
Gentlemen, may I read you the text of a message
I've just sent to The Daily Chronicle.
"We are leaving now,
"to carry on our white warfare
"and our last message to our country
"is that we will do our best to make good.
"Though we shall be shut off from the outer world
"for many months,
"our thoughts and prayers
"will be with our countrymen fighting at the front.
"We hope, in our small way,
"to add victories in science and discovery
"to that certain victory which our nation shall achieve
in the cause of honor and liberty."
Dated Buenos Aires, October 26, 1914.
Let the toast be to victory.
To victory.
We got a brief signal just after we left port.
Since then, nothing.
We need to get the antenna higher, if possible.
The main mast would be best.
I'll get someone to give you a hand.
I should be able to manage.
Well, take Tom.
He's the best man aloft I've seen.
All right.
Gentlemen, this place is a shambles.
These floors need a scrub.
Shall we get out of the way, sir?
No, Colonel, I want you three to scrub it out.
The lower deck will issue you with brushes and buckets.
Dr. Macklin, draw up a roster.
I want this place scrubbed every Wednesday.
Yes, Boss.
Carry on.
Is he making a joke?
I don't think so.
Bloody hell!
I heard that things were all set
so the Germans will surrender anyway-
before Christmas even.
No empty uniforms, apparently.
Pity, really - I was hoping for a chance to have a go.
I don't know about Christmas,
but it'll be over before we get back.
Germany can't stand up to us, France and Russia.
Let's skin more potatoes, please, gentlemen.
At this rate, we'll be out of vegetables
before we get to South Georgia.
Aye, aye, sir.
How do you get "housemaid's knee"?
From being a housemaid.
Precisely.
I think I've got it.
You're right, Boss.
Just pretend I'm not here.
Jesus!
It's a bloke, sir.
What sort of a bloke?
I don't know, but he's a big one
and he's in the locker.
Right, let's have a look.
What's up?
He thinks he's seen a ghost.
Come on out of there, whoever the bloody hell you are!
Just coming.
Sorry, sir, I didn't mean to cause a disturbance.
Who the bloody hell are you?
Perce Blackborow, sir.
Able seaman.
I got my papers and everything.
I'm from Wales.
You amaze me.
Who helped you get aboard?
Nobody, sir.
Who helped him!?
I did, sir.
It's not his fault.
It was my idea.
Be quiet, I'm coming to you.
How old are you?
Nineteen, sir-nearly 20.
Please don't send me back.
Mr. Blackborow, have you ever been to the Antarctic?
No, sir.
Those of us who have been there,
who have seen men starve, go mad and die
are not so bloody amused!
No, sir.
It's just I heard you were two men short.
So I thought I could help out, like.
Oh, did you?
Do you know what starvation is, Mr. Blackborow?
Have you ever watched a man eat a biscuit
and want to kill him for just one crumb of it?
No, sir.
I'm sorry, sir.
We are a man short, Boss.
Are we?
Well, maybe he'll come in useful.
If we do face starvation,
the stowaway's always the first one we eat,
isn't that right, Mr. Wild?
Yes, Boss.
They'd get more meat off of you, sir.
Don't push your luck, Blackborow.
Take him to the boatswain.
Find something for him to do.
Boss.
And introduce him
to the cook on the way,
so that he knows what he looks like.
Come on, then, let's get back to work.
That includes you, too, Bakewell.
Yes, sir.
Try and look respectable, you lads!
Good morning, Frank.
Boss.
Come on, let's have some order.
Spread out at the back.
Mack, you come down the front here.
And look right into the camera.
That's where the rest of the world is.
Straight into the lens-right here.
Think of your wives, your sweethearts, your children,
your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren.
That's where they are, all in there.
Everybody, hold that.
Wait for it.
Thank you, all.
You want one more for safety, Frank.
Aye, sir.
Only need the one chance.
I got the picture.
May I present for your pleasure
Blackborow pie.
Why is that, chef?
Because there's steak
in there somewhere,
but it's up to you to find it.
Shouldn't I take the boss some
in his cabin, sir?
No, don't worry about it.
He asked not to be disturbed.
Sorry, to disturb you, Boss, we're close to South Georgia.
It's a little foggy out there,
but we should be at Grytviken in an hour.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm all right, Skipper.
Would you like one of the doctors to have a look?
No
thank you.
You take her in.
I'll be fine in the morning.
Boss.
It feels like a pirate kingdom.
They've spent half their life on the ocean
hunting the greatest creature on the planet,
the other half here, in this stench.
What an extraordinary way to live.
Not for these men.
Madmen, criminals, outcasts of every kind-
the calibans of the pole.
But they know the ice.
Reminds me of Birmingham.
No, Birmingham smells worse.
Are you enjoying your dinner, Sir Ernest?
Thank you, yes.
The sausages are our own recipe.
Pork fed exclusively on whale blubber.
Do they enjoy it?
We just drive the pigs
into the belly of the dead whale
and leave them there.
They eat
or starve.
Most interesting.
Is it your intention, Lord Shackleton,
to land at Vahsel Bay?
Yes, it is.
This is not good.
The ice is very big this year.
It goes very far north.
Well, we are prepared to force
our way through, if necessary.
The Endurance was built for ice work.
There is no possibility
to reach the bay at the moment.
You must wait here for warmer weather.
Well, in England we're used to
waiting for warmer weather, aren't we?
In Norway also.
As you well know, the Weddell Sea
is hemmed in on three sides, like a "U."
It's the Antarctic continent,
the Palmer Peninsula, and these islands.
The current is very strong.
It moves like a clock,
forcing the ice against the peninsula
where it is packed tight.
It cannot escape, it doesn't melt,
even now that the summer is starting.
Yes, but we can still get through here,
down the eastern side, by Coats Land.
I've talked to Nordenskold about this.
The ice is more open.
We can land at Vahsel Bay.
But it's very bad this year-
the worst we have known.
I've had captains back this week
who say the ice is solid as far as here.
Are you saying it's impossible?
It's not impossible, but it's very difficult.
You'll have to fight your way through
a thousand miles of ice to reach land.
Well, going back to England isn't possible,
so I suppose we'll just have to settle for very difficult.
The lower deck are offering three to one
we'll be here for Christmas.
I think I'll keep my money, thanks.
He might stay that long.
Uh from up there,
Grytviken looks almost romantic.
It's just a matter of choosing
the right place to look at it from.
Hmm, really?
In that case, I have a couple of maiden aunts
who'd be very interested to meet you.
"I know full well
"that I am wanting in many ways domestically,
"that for some time past we have not seen eye to eye
"and the fault lies with me.
"I have committed all sorts of crimes
"in thought if not always in action.
"I suppose I'm just good as an explorer and nothing else.
"I love the fight,
"and when things go easy, I hate it.
"Even though when things are wrong, I get worried.
"I'm a bit tired tonight
"and just wandering along.
"But now that I am on my own work
I will be more at peace."
What are we drinking, chef?
I'd say, um one part vinegar,
two parts methylated spirits
and ten parts
Whale!
I'll drink for your return.
It's our departure, mate.
We're going.
Oh, no, no - you are coming back very soon.
Your ship is not good for the ice.
So I drink for your return.
I'll drink to that.
The boats back this afternoon
have seen some big bergs,
which means that the Weddell is starting to break up.
So we still have a chance of making landfall by Christmas.
Good evening.
Sorry I'm late.
I'm, uh no good with costumes.
Gentlemen, gentlemen, pray silence.
Our last guest has, I think, just arrived.
I'm, uh I'm Buddha.
Do you see? Well, never mind.
Perhaps it doesn't translate.
Thanks to Putty here,
he received a personally engraved invitation.
Unfortunately, some of the details
Such as the time
And the dress code
Were slightly inaccurate.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
I can never quite
Oh, my God!
Oh, ha, bloody ha!
Get 'im, boys!
Why do you stay here
in the middle of bloody nowhere?
To get away from up there.
Whale men not fit up there.
People up there not like
coolie folk like whale men around.
We not can write poetry.
We not can paint pictures from a silly word,
so we come here.
No damn use anywhere else.
To those of us who are no damn use anywhere else!
No damn use anywhere else!
Incredible, isn't she?
Where's your camera?
Ah, she'd be gone before I could set it up.
Besides, sometimes just the eyes are good enough.
She's worth about �5,000
not counting the carcass or the bones.
Do you know how much whale oil
they produce at Grytviken every year?
Two and a half million gallons.
It's a gold mine.
An investment of �50,000
you could make double that in profit every year.
With a decent manager working out here,
you could put your feet up at home, live like a king.
I think she's beautiful.
You're not a businessman, Frank.
But I am.
I just chose to make my business
out of doing something that I love.
Well, that's the idea
but sometimes there's more bloody business than you expect.
Anything?
Nothing.
No signal at all.
Do you want me to take a look up top?
It's not the antenna.
I'm not sure what it is.
Stupid, really.
I've always hated the cold.
Back at the whaling station in a week.
We won't get through the ice this year.
Oh, you don't know bloody explorers.
He'll not turn back.
He cannot afford to.
Skipper reports pack ice off the starboard bow,
about half a mile.
It can't be this far north.
Slow down, Skipper, in case we hit a growler.
And steer away from the pack,
I don't want to enter it here.
Hard aport.
Hard aport, boatswain!
Hard aport!
Chippy!
Yes, boss?
It's getting a little fresh up here.
Can you do something about it?
I can make a windbreak, sir.
Thanks, and I think it may be helpful
to have some way of visually signaling the helmsman,
now we're at the ice.
Aye, aye, sir.
As long as you never actually give them the solution.
What's this growler we're all so worried about?
Underwater ice.
You can't see it till you hit it.
Ah, charming.
Remarkable, isn't it?
Like looking at the desert for the first time.
The pack is more or less where we expected it,
or at least where Jacobsen said it would be.
So we'll take a southeasterly course
skirting around it as long as we can,
but it is pretty loose,
and at some point we will have to start to push through
if we're to reach Vahsel Bay before winter.
Those of you without much experience at the helm
are going to find it pretty hard work
navigating the ice at first.
We'll all take an hour at a time each during the day.
How far is it to our landing point?
Navigator?
About a thousand miles, sir.
And don't expect much night from now on.
In two weeks' time, it will be December 21,
the longest Antarctic day.
The sun will be above the horizon for 24 hours.
Do not let this affect your sleep.
You're going to need it.
Oh, look-seals!
Beautiful.
Aren't they?
Charles!
Yes, sir.
Ever cooked seal?
Oil, butter, dried parsley, a little fresh ground pepper.
Well, break out the pepper.
Excuse me, boys.
Why have we stopped the engines?
Frankie's bagged a seal.
He's going across the floes after it.
Well, as long as we've stopped,
we might as well let everybody off.
A bit of exercise might do us all good.
Offside, offside!
Offside! Offside!
Why, isn't that what I'm supposed to do?
Don't be too hard on him, ref.
He can't help being a foreigner.
My ball, I think.
Free kick to the shore party.
Skipper.
Take a shot, Wuzzel.
Yes, boss.
Come on, Wuzzel.
Ooh!
You all right, boss?
Yes, I'm all right, colonel.
Play on!
Look, they love it.
Let's try something else.
How about "Scotland The Brave"?
Hard astarboard!
Midships.
Midships.
Port easy!
Port easy!
Hard aport!
Hard aport!
Make your bloody mind up.
Reverse engines, hard aport!
Reverse engines.
Hard aport!
Full speed ahead.
Easy, Skipper.
Come on.
What's all the fuss about?
It's the colonel-he's doing a job of work.
I don't believe it.
I thought it was medically impossible.
Ha-bloody-ha.
Could be a mass delusion, of course, has been known.
Look, if you don't want to help,
you can just bugger off, the lot of you.
Oh, don't worry.
We've got a ship to run.
Come on, get out of it, get out!
Are you all right?
It's incredible.
So we didn't make landfall by Christmas.
No, sir.
Damned ice.
We'll serve grog at midnight to those who are on watch.
Yes, boss.
Damned ice.
Happy Christmas.
What time is it?
Midnight.
Happy Christmas, sir.
Happy Christmas.
"To our skipper must go the best present of all.
"But what to give was a puzzle.
"Until I remembered that because he's in charge,
It's a policeman's whistle for Wuzzel."
Boss! Boss!
Come on, boss!
All right.
All right, yes.
So uh, "To the boss who has guided us all from afar",
"Sometimes by map and sometimes by star,
"There is only one gift, as I know how you are.
So here for your pleasure, a big fat cigar."
Thank you very much.
From your family?
Yes.
Look, I'm fine, boss.
You go in and join the others.
I know.
I'm fine, too.
Just needed a little air.
Such a beautiful day.
You notice anything?
What do you mean?
Temperature's rising.
We'll get there, you know.
I know.
Less than 500 miles.
We're halfway.
Skipper reckons we'll be inside the Antarctic Circle
by tomorrow.
I know.
You don't by any chance have a light, do you?
No.
Well, come on, then, let's go and find one.
We've covered nearly 900 miles since South Georgia-
400 in the last week alone.
If we keep this up,
we'll reach Vahsel Bay by the end of the week.
Excuse me, boss, Skipper wants you on deck.
He's sighted land.
We're beyond Coats Land.
This is further than any ship has ever been.
Our first discovery.
We'll have to call it James Caird Land.
That'll make the old bugger happy.
Look there, boss, to the right.
There's a bay, do you see it?
It looks sheltered.
I think we could put stores ashore there.
No, no, not yet.
If we land here, it'll put an extra 200 miles
on the sledging journey.
It's just there's a spur coming up
that'll force us away from the coast.
Temperature's good.
We've got another month, possibly two, of summer to go
and clear water ahead of us.
Let's not give up now, Skipper.
Aye, boss.
Keep her steady, Tom!
They're pulling away from me.
Get Wuzzels to go with them, I just need one more shot.
Skipper.
I know, he wants one more shot.
Hold your speed, Tom.
Leave it, old man, we're working.
Listen.
What is it?
Looks like porridge.
Well, she's holding her speed.
It's just slush.
Is it me, or is it getting colder?
I'm on full power, but we're only making three knots.
It's costing us a lot of coal.
What can they see up top?
Lookout says no clear water,
but there's some low cloud on the port bow.
That could indicate the channel.
Hold your course.
Aye, boss.
Look at that one there.
Tom, get those gentlemen down on the deck
with nothing better to do to start bagging coal.
We need to be ready for landing.
Include the colonel in the party, if you don't mind.
It'd be a pleasure, boss.
Mr. Orde-Lees!
Yes?
The boss has a job for you at last.
Is it my imagination,
or are we getting further away from land
rather than closer?
There are grounded bergs ahead.
The ice is being stacked against them.
He's trying to get around them,
but my money says we'll be back in South Georgia
eating sausages in two weeks.
Then why does he want us
to bag the bally coal?
Keeps the mind occupied.
The pack ice is solid up ahead.
We could go further north,
but the temperature's dropping all the time
and I don't want to go any further than I have to.
It's costing us a lot of coal at the moment.
We'll cut the engines.
We'll anchor to the floe
and wait for it to open up.
We should conserve the fuel
in case we need to get back to South Georgia.
Aye, aye, boss.
What did I tell you?
He's cut the engines.
I smell wild sausages.
Could I eat it?
You'd have to be very hungry.
Fourteen.
It's animal.
It's female.
You've never seen it.
It doesn't live in the Antarctic.
It can't talk, and you would only eat it
if you were starving.
And it's hairy.
Can you stroke it?
Hmm
yes.
Fifteen.
We should turn round and go home.
Join up.
Do something useful.
I don't know.
The war might be over by now.
Well, I hope the Russians got the Kaiser.
Knowing that lot,
they probably set him up in a palace
and gave the bastard a pension.
Still makes no sense
being stuck out here, does it?
But it is a body part?
Yes.
Head.
Warm, but no-eighteen.
Hairy body part? It has to be a chin.
No, that's too obvious.
Eyebrow.
Yes.
Ah, ah, ah, ah-but whose?
What do you mean, "whose?"
Well, I'm thinking of a specific one.
A specific eyebrow?
Don't be ridiculous.
Mary Lloyd.
Right sex, wrong woman.
Twenty-I win.
How are we supposed to guess whose eyebrow?
It belongs to a girl called Noreen, actually.
And who the damned hell is she?
First girl I ever kissed.
So we're supposed to get the eyebrow
of the first girl you ever kissed?
Well, I was hoping you'd narrow it down
to the left eyebrow.
Now then, boys!
Thought it was supposed to be getting warmer.
Maybe this is warmer.
Had a pee this morning-
froze as it hit the ground.
Hard to believe.
It's true.
Look at that.
Frozen dog urine.
What are you looking at?
Watch out, old boy-the deck's icing up.
Really?
You amaze me.
Well, at least someone's happy we're stuck.
You think we are stuck?
We're stuck until we're unstuck.
Pull!
Bring it up.
Come on, that's it.
Keep it steady.
Keep coming.
All right, hold it there.
It was incredible.
Don't know how far I could see-
at least 20 miles in every direction.
Everything white.
Except for the crooked shadow of our ship
stuck like a matchstick in a giant's wedding cake.
Down here, we feel like we're something-
a force moving through the landscape.
Up there you realize we're nothing.
A speck.
A spot in the wilderness.
Boss wants everyone on deck immediately.
There's water about 200 yards ahead.
The whole floe may be breaking up.
We've had a sighting
of open water about 200 yards ahead.
We need to cut a channel through.
Skipper, you take the bridge.
The engine's are being fired up.
I'll take charge on the ice.
Every man, get themselves an implement.
Let's get moving.
Spread out.
Give yourselves room.
Reverse engines and prepare for full-ahead ram.
Full ahead, full ahead!
Frankie
This ice could be over six foot thick.
We're not going to make it with picks and shovels.
We have to try and break her out somehow.
I know.
Port!
Starboard!
Port!
Starboard!
Port!
Starboard!
Port!
All right, take a break, everybody.
We'll give the bows one more go in five minutes.
One, two, three, four, five!
Two, three, four!
One, two, three, four five!
Two, three, four!
One, two,
three, four, five!
Two, three, four!
One, two, three, four, five!
Two, three, four!
One, two, three, four, five!
Two, three, four!
One, two, three, four, five!
Frank!
That's enough.
You all right?
Yes, Frank, I'm all right.
I've always loved the dark.
Ever since I was a child.
Bedtime stories, midnight feasts.
Dreams.
Somehow in the dark, it's easier
to remember what you want to be.
I'm afraid we're all going to have to learn to love it now.
Well, Mr. Hurley's been working on that.
The boys would like you to take a look.
Yes, of course.
I've made the decision about who will come with me
on the crossing of the continent.
It goes without saying that I'd like you to be one of them.
I would be honored.
I'm going to stop the pretense
that we're going to be out of here before summer.
It won't be easy, but I want the men to concentrate
on the preparations for the land journey ahead.
I'd like you to take charge of that.
Yes, boss.
I have accepted the fact
that we are unlikely to escape the ice this winter.
I therefore propose that we cease to operate
as a ship's company
and become a winter base station.
Skipper.
There'll be no more watches,
simply night watchmen to look after the stoves
as we will be standing down the boilers
to preserve fuel.
This delay will not alter our plans.
We will use this extra time
to prepare ourselves more fully.
I've therefore decided to name
the party who will make the final journey
with me across the pole.
Frank.
Each man selected must choose and train his own dogs
in preparation for this historic journey.
This will be our business in the coming weeks.
I propose to take five men-
Frank Wild,
Tom Crean, Mack
Putty,
and I suppose just in case the paint freezes,
we'll need a photograph to prove we've done it,
so we'll have to take you, Mr. Hurley.
Now, was there something that you wanted me to see?
Yes, boss
if you care to step outside.
Well, now, what have you got for me?
Enlightenment, boss, as ever.
Thank you, doc.
It's like Blackpool on a Saturday night, isn't it?
Is there no end to your talents, Mr. Hurley?
I am, as ever, in your debt.
I appreciate the offer to travel with you.
Well, I couldn't leave you behind now, could I?
What the hell was that?
A whale
Underneath the ship,
looking for a hole in the ice.
It thinks we're one.
Is it, buggery?
Did somebody speak?
No, sir
but I was just thinking.
It didn't feel like a whale.
What's your analysis then, McNeish?
It's the ice.
It's moving.
You can feel it through the side of the ship.
Is that what you think?
Yes, sir.
Well, I think it's a whale.
Got a whiff of chef's dinner, I suspect.
Perhaps, skipper, we should make this party official.
Let's have an issue of grog to all hands.
Yes, sir.
Tom.