Shackleton (2002) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
1
Shh
Lie still.
You'll only disturb the bandages.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I
I woke up and I couldn't see.
No one can see at the moment.
It's still dark.
What time is it?
It's just after 3:00.
Well, then, it won't be-
not completely dark.
If you look toward the east, you'll see something.
Oh, I can smell it-
out walking past an orchard.
What's your name?
Eleanor.
That's pretty.
Eleanor who?
Shackleton.
Like the explorer?
Yes, like the explorer.
Old man Hawkins knew him himself.
Oh, it must be quiet there.
None of the artillery there.
No bloody sun either, right?
That's right.
Dark all day.
Dark all bloody day
just like the rest of us.
Hello, someone in there?
Colonel?
Are you in there?
What the bloody hell are you doing down here in the dark?
Trying to get some sleep.
In the storeroom?
Good God, what is this, Aladdin's cave?!
Listen to that.
It's the ice starting to move.
You can feel it underneath your feet,
like an ant standing on the back of an elephant.
So you reckon we'll be out of here soon, then, eh?
One way or another, yes.
Where do you get all this stuff?
I collect it.
Just things nobody wants;
things that might come in useful one day.
Bent nails?
I use them for cleaning the tins.
Oh, I see, the tins?
Well, you're as mad as hatter, aren't you, old dear?
I don't think so, sir.
I think I'm rather sensible.
Ready?
Very still.
And now!
Of course everybody in the office knows my real name,
but they're too polite to show it.
Whenever there's any Arctic news in the paper,
they leave the page open casually for me
and then watch.
There's a lot of giggling amongst the younger secretaries.
We're celebrity of a kind, I suppose.
Anyway, how's school?
Is there any room for art in this sea of cocky?
Well, I finished at the Guild Hall.
So, darling, you're an actress at last.
Don't make fun of me-I got a job.
Oh, God, don't tell me-you're going to drive a train?
No.
I answered an advertisement in The Era.
I'm going to be in a play
at the Empire Theatre in Penge
from August 5.
Penge in August?
You out of your mind?
I have to start somewhere.
I can't go on saying I want something
and not doing anything about it.
Your brother at least taught me that.
Well, consider me rebuked.
But Penge?
I thought it was still bearbaiting and lewd dancing.
I'd no idea they went to the theater.
Well, they do
for 15 minutes, anyway.
It's a one-act play.
Fifteen minutes?
My dear, that's not theater, it's music hall.
You're going to be doing a turn.
The unmistakable sound of the English enjoying themselves.
What is it?
Rum-have some.
I wouldn't normally, you know.
My mum doesn't approve.
I suppose Midwinter's Day is special.
Dear beloved.
As your pastor, the Reverend Bubbling Love.
I would like to welcome you personally
to the Midwinter's Day festivity
and in particular to our chairman of our parish council,
Sir Interesting Shockleton.
I don't even know if she knows I'm here.
I wrote, like, from Buenos Aires,
but with the war and all that,
I I don't know whether it'll get to her.
Maybe it's better if she thinks
you're back there with those South American girls.
I don't think she'd like that, actually
the girls, I mean.
I hope she did get the letter.
I wouldn't like her not knowing.
Bloody hell!
Come and take a look at this, boys.
You've got to see it.
Gentlemen.
My name is
Lola.
I come from
Espana.
Where the sun
shines.
Look at this!
You come to me, lassie!
Arriba! Ol?!
There he is.
Come on, then, sir,
give us a bloody encore.
If you insist, boatswain.
I think if the daylight doesn't come back pretty soon
we're in trouble, Frankie.
Yes, boss.
Lady Shackleton, if the landing was impossible
he would have returned to South Georgia for the winter.
We must assume he's decided to keep the Endurance with him
which means we won't hear anything
until the ice starts breaking up around Christmas.
I feel that I have no right to worry at all
when so many are receiving such terrible news from France.
The public want to hear about something other than war-
something that reminds them what we're fighting for.
That's why I wanted to explain
that we'll be running some articles
from various experts
speculating on what may be happening to your husband.
This is to keep the public interested
so that when we do get news,
they'll be ready for it.
I understand, Mr. Perris.
He wouldn't like to be forgotten.
It's starting to break up.
The temperature was 23 degrees and rising
at first light this morning.
Right, let's get the dogs back on board.
If we get the chance, we must be ready to sail immediately
before it falls again.
Which direction?
What?
Which direction?
Do we go on?
Or do we go back?
I'm not sure that the choice will be ours to make.
But the Ross Sea party
should have started laying their depots by now.
I think we could all do with a little variety in our diet,
don't you, Frankie?
Yes, boss.
Besides, I could do with the exercise.
Good, come on, then.
I'm starting a 24-hour watch
on the state of the ice,
relieved every hour,
and no one is to leave the ship without permission.
Is that understood?
Chippy, I want a proper wheelhouse built
for the steersman.
If we do get into open water, it's going to be pretty cold.
You can use the wood from the shore hut.
Yes, boss.
Colonel, 72 days' rations
for every man packed on the sledges
and ready on deck from tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
You did say you wanted the rations
on the sledges.
I did.
We must face the possibility
that our ship could be damaged
or even destroyed.
If that happens, we'll have to take our chances on the ice.
But don't worry.
The weather is on our side.
The summer is on its way.
We'll get out of here under our own steam, I'm sure of it.
Let's make a start.
Thank you.
With the sun circling round the sky
day after day without setting,
the Stars and Stripes were planted
and the record left with a piece of the flag.
Go back over that bit again
where they talked about the tracker.
No, I want to hear what he says next.
What's so funny?
Peary talking about reaching the North Pole.
Yes?
The boss doesn't think he did.
Here, in the midst of great fields of heavy ice
covering an ocean two miles or more in depth
two miles or more in depth
with the sun circling round the sky
day after day without setting,
the Stars and Stripes were planted
and the record left
What's going on?
The ice is shifting.
Can she take it?
Nah, she's built wrong.
Should've had caulk on the hull
so the pressure forces her up.
She's not rising.
It's got a grip on her.
Melt again in the morning-
be back to normal.
Glad you think this is normal.
Where's the skipper?
He's already down there.
The damage's on the port bow.
It's hard to say how bad it is.
Are the pumps working?
The iron pumps are frozen.
We're doing what we can with the bilges
but it's no good against this.
She's whole beneath the water.
What do you think?
We've no access to the hole.
Best I can do is to seal it off.
A coffer dam?
Yes, sir.
Right, take what you need.
Lay the trestles flat.
There we are.
Ready?
As we'll ever be.
Go careful now.
Don't worry.
I always wanted to work in the circus.
How are they doing at the pumps, Skipper?
We're working three-hour shifts-
15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
We'll keep it up through the night.
I'll take a turn after dinner.
Where's the prince?
With Chippy building the dam.
Dinner is served.
Have you done this before?
Only once.
Will it hold?
If the ice doesn't shift it.
I can make it waterproof, but not ice-proof.
We can't hold out against this.
We've had the pumps going for 48 hours,
and the water's still rising.
The men can't take it much longer.
I know.
I wanted to stay off the ice as long as possible.
They're not going to find it easy.
Well, it'll cheer the dogs up anyway.
All right, let's start getting the equipment off.
- And the dogs.
We'll take a decision about where to sleep tonight later.
Gently does it, Frankie.
Right.
Have you done a tent allocation?
Yes.
Better put Mr. Hurley with me
where I can keep an eye on him.
Over there.
Secure it next to the other cutter.
And then we'll go back for the last.
Suddenly makes our freezing little cabin
seem rather warm and solid, doesn't it?
Are we sleeping here tonight?
Dinner's on board.
That's all I know.
Skipper, I think we should collect our last bits and pieces
when we've finished dinner.
Yes, boss.
Everyone please make sure you bring your diaries.
Boss.
Anyone not want their bannock?
Sorry, I
Carry on, colonel.
Eat while you can.
For tomorrow we diet.
Ah, but what time do we die at?
Sorry.
I was just
Not much point in washing up, is there?
I never leave a dirty plate behind me.
We must leave it spic-and-span.
Besides, we never know when
we might be coming back.
Boss?
Yes?
Shall I give the order to abandon?
How are the men?
Ready.
I think they're relieved in a way.
You know what he said to me when he gave me this?
The King?
"Make sure you bring it back."
Those were his words.
I think we should do what we were ordered to
and take it home, don't you?
Well, don't just stand there.
Give the order.
Go on.
Yes, boss.
Abandon ship!
Get going, boys, it's time to get off.
We've been working at the pumps.
I'll just get my jacket.
There's no time!
The boss said come back for it later!
Come on!
That's everyone, boss.
After you, then, Frank.
I want to run the end setup.
No surrender.
Right.
But we shouldn't be too long.
She's very restless.
Come on!
Well, Orde-Lees.
Looks like we got in the nick, this time.
I don't know, sir.
At least it'll make your book more exciting.
You think so?
Well, maybe you're right at that.
Thank you for your efforts today, gentlemen.
I know you're all very tired, so I'll be brief.
We have 18 sleeping bags
which means that ten of us will have to use blankets.
Each man please take a match.
Those that choose the shortest ones get a blanket.
And I seem to have earned myself a blanket.
Frank will you give you the tent allocations.
Get some rest, everyone.
Well there's a first time for everything.
Tent number one:
The boss,
Mr. Hudson, Mr. James and Mr. Hurley.
You all right, skipper?
Look, there's a light still on.
Emergency light, skipper.
Battery's come on.
It's like a heartbeat.
As though she was telling us she was still alive.
I could see what he was up to.
But I was too clever for him.
I took the other match.
Almost as clever as the rest of us.
What do you mean?
Well, have a look around you, mate.
We've all got sleeping bags, don't we?
I hope Mrs. Chippy's house trained.
Ah, she's just frightened like the rest of us.
We'll never survive in small boats.
It's been done before.
Not with 28 of us.
And what's the point in scrambling across the bloody ice
if it's going to melt in a few weeks anyway?
Did you sleep at all?
I had the choice of thinking lying down
or thinking standing up.
Standing up seemed more useful.
How is she?
Well, she sunk a little lower,
but she seems steady at the moment.
Still a lot of things we could salvage.
The longer we stay still, the harder it'll be.
Half of these men have never traveled on snow before.
Come on.
Room service.
There you go, Frank.
Rise and shine!
It's a beautiful morning out there!
Guests wishing to have their shoes shined,
please be so kind as to leave them at the door.
Something hot?
Chippy, we need to get some sort of a runner
fitted to the cutters so we can drag them.
You think you could get that organized today?
Aye.
When I've had some breakfast, I dare say I'll manage it.
And keep her away from the dogs.
They'll tear her to pieces if they get loose.
Aye.
We know that, don't we, darling?
Steady.
Down.
Step right up, gentlemen!
A one-day sale featuring brand new Burberry's,
warm and dry!
The latest fashions in men's undergarments.
Must be sold today,
we're going out of business tomorrow.
Don't be shy now, gentlemen,
step right up and help yourselves.
It's going to be bloody hard
pulling a boat over this stuff
if we can't even get a sled through.
There's no alternative.
If we stay still, we'll starve or go crazy.
You don't think we should wait?
They'll float the cutters when the pack breaks up.
This pack is drifting north.
If we wait for it to break up-
if it does break up-
we may find ourselves
in the middle of the south Atlantic.
How much chance do you think we stand there
in open boats with 28 men and no food?
Our ship and our stores have gone,
so I think it's time we went home.
After the excitements of yesterday
I'm sure we'd all rather sleep on land,
dry or otherwise,
so I intend to make for the nearest.
Here, now look.
Robertson Island.
Now, we'll establish a base there,
then I'll take a smaller party
across here, Graham Land
to Wilhelmina Bay.
Now, whalers from Deception Island use this
and it's our shortest route to rescue.
Right.
Everything we need
must be carried on the sledges.
I'm therefore allowing each man
only two pounds weight of personal possessions.
That includes your diaries, your shaving kit,
your eating utensils.
Everything else must go.
I mean everything.
It's of no use to us now.
We can carry nothing except what keeps us alive.
And that includes animals, I'm afraid.
I'm sorry, Chippy, no pets.
This is the Bible, presented to us
by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra.
I'm keeping three pages.
This is one of them.
"Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me"
Let's get on with it, boys.
Are they with you?
Yes, boss.
Well done, boys.
It's five minutes to 3:00, so we're ahead of ourselves.
We haven't even begun.
It's McNeish, sir.
Thank you, Frank.
She won't stand a chance out there.
The dogs will tear her to pieces,
and you know it.
Let me take her.
She's a bloody he.
I'll take her myself, if you don't mind.
My job now is to make sure you all live-
every single one of you.
To do that, I cannot afford to be sentimental.
If I am, you will die.
Die frozen, die starving, die mad.
I've seen it before.
I do not intend to see it again.
Now, it's been brought to my attention
that one or two people here
may have picked up items discarded by others yesterday.
Don't look so worried, boatswain.
I have a confession to make.
I am one of those guilty people.
I've picked up a book in the snow this morning.
A poetry book-Robert Browning.
I'm reminded of a line from a poem of his
called "Prospice."
"For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave."
Let's make this our best, shall we?
Robertson Island!
Robertson Island!
Five miles a day!
Five miles a day!
Right there, you are.
Can I have the next?
Hudson and Macklin have already scouted this floe.
They reckon it's over a mile square.
Well, that should give us some stability.
Five miles a day is obviously impossible,
so we have two alternatives.
Travel slow and risk running out of food,
or we stay here, wait for the weather to get warmer,
try to get out by boat.
I think we could get
some more supplies off the ship
before she disappears completely.
That way we could preserve the sledding rations.
Good idea.
Skipper?
I think we should stay here and see what happens.
Very well.
Tell the men we're going to stay here for now,
but I don't want anybody digging in.
We have to be ready to move at any time.
Frank, you take who you want.
Get back to the ship in the morning.
No heroics.
Yes, boss.
I've got it.
Marzipan.
That does it, I've gotten hungry now.
Walnuts.
Another weight off me mind.
Keep going!
We're in the right place.
There's more there, I'm sure of it.
I've got no oven, so don't go expecting any bread.
It's hot, and that's the best thing I can say about it.
Go on, chef, let's have it then.
Oh, God, she's bloody useless!
Now the bloody bottom's burned out!
How can I bloody cook without a bloody pot to cook in?
Charlie, where are you going?
I'm bloody going home.
This is bloody stupid!
I've had enough.
Look, this must be dump camp.
What?
All our stuff.
It's all here somewhere.
Hundreds of pounds of it, just thrown away-
such a ruddy waste.
You won't find anything now.
Ice melts, everything sinks, ice freezes,
it's gone-simple as that.
Someone's had a go. Look.
Could be penguins.
Penguins looking for gold sovereigns, I presume.
16 years I had that bicycle.
A Rudge-Whitworth-I won't find one like it again.
Come on.
What are you doing?
Looking for my film.
It's down there, underwater.
The cans are sealed, so the water can't get at it
but I can't reach.
If you two blokes were to hold my legs, I think I could.
You're crazy.
You'll freeze to death if you go under there,
if you don't drown first.
Can't reach far enough on my own.
I'm not going without them.
Pull!
There's another one.
She's on the move.
Just don't worry, I'll be quick.
Where's he gone?
I don't bloody know.
Get him out. Come on!
Pull!
Let's get his circulation going.
She's going!
Let's get him out.
All right. Just get the bloody film.
Take the cans.
Frank, we can't carry any more weight.
I'm not leaving them behind.
I have 28 lives to consider.
So have I!
And one year of each of those
28 lives is in these pictures.
What's the point of our survival
if there's no record of what's happened,
and if we don't make it,
then this will be all the life that's left of us.
Without these, we've done nothing
except get lost like a bunch of
schoolgirls on a nature ramble.
How many are there?
Well, perhaps we could take a box.
Not enough.
200-you make the selection.
100, and we make the selection together. Deal?
Deal?
Deal.
Penguins, two, regarding cameraman
with amorous expression.
No more penguins.
View of South Georgia, slightly out of focus,
sea captain in foreground.
No, certainly not-doesn't do him justice.
Close shot-mad storekeeper in silly hat.
Staring at camera with glazed expression.
No, too depressing.
Oh, wait, we have an obligation to his mother.
We'll keep it.
Cantankerous old man standing on prow of ship.
Oh, you're right, he does look miserable
and old.
Cancel that career as a Hollywood photographer.
Put it in the public-have-a-right-to-know box.
When did you take this?
First day we played football on the ice.
I never thought of her as beautiful-
always seemed dumpy, somehow; Heavy around the waist.
Well, she's what I see now.
First, I would like to pay tribute to Chippy McNeish,
whose hard work has contrived
to give us a safer and more seaworthy way home.
Well done.
I would like to christen them today after three people
without whose help we would not be where we are today.
The Stancomb-Wills after my dear friend,
Miss Janet Stancomb-Wills, captained by Mr. Hudson.
The Dudley Docker, under the command of Captain Worsley.
And the James Cairn, which I will myself command.
No champagne, I'm afraid.
She's going, boys.
It's as though she never existed.
Nothing.
Not even a dent in the bloody ice,
yet she was right here.
"Out of whose womb came the ice,
"And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
"The waters are hid as with stone,
And the face of the deep is frozen."
Thank you for saving the pictures.
You were right.
Without them, we'd just be left with words
and they're not always enough.
You start a fire here at the bottom
using a little wood and petrol to get it going.
Then you place the main blubber container on top of that.
This is heated by the fire, the blubber starts to boil,
spilling back into the fire
increasing the intensity of the heat.
And the smoke.
All we need now is something to bloody cook on it.
Yes. Well done, Frank.
Hudson!
Distract her, for God's sake.
Not like that.
Pretend to be a seal.
Well, that didn't work.
It just disappeared.
That's because you were waving your arms.
Seals don't have arms.
The don't wear silly hats, either.
You told me to distract it, not to impersonate it.
Look, there's another one.
Right there.
Cheetham.
Whose is this?
Vincent.
Whose is this?
Bakewell.
Whose is this?
McNeish.
Whose is this?
Blackborow.
Whose is this?
It's a trick, isn't it?
What is?
How you call them out?
What are you talking about?
When you say, "Whose is this?",
it means it's a small portion,
and when you say, "Whose is this?", it's a big one.
Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, you don't care, do you?
You're the storeman.
You can have what you like.
How dare you say that?
Shut up, Colonel!
Blackborow.
Skipper.
You can choose the names tomorrow.
Me, sir?
Now let's get some sleep.
Maybe it's the other way around.
The ice is getting less stable.
I think we should get closer to the sea while we still can.
We're organized.
We could average two,
maybe three miles a day.
We'll never manage all three boats.
We'll have to walk in relays to move two as it is.
Do you think 28 men can make it in two boats?
Yes, I do.
If there's no alternative, they'll have to.
We'll strike camp tomorrow.
The men were looking forward
to celebrating Christmas, boss.
Then we make tomorrow Christmas.
I don't want to stay here any longer.
It isn't safe.
Now, we'll have a feast tomorrow,
and everything that's not going
on the sledges can be eaten.
It's ripping into the hulls.
They'll not take much more of it.
What's he going to do if we lose the cutter?
We'll not get everybody in as it is.
Go to sleep, old man.
Go and look at the hulls.
I'm not joking.
Ah, you're all too bloody terrified of him.
That's enough!
It's suicide.
You can't fit 28 men in two tiny boats.
We're barely making 600 yards an hour as it is.
Another boat would kill us.
We should have stayed where we were,
waited for the ice to break up.
And if it didn't?
What then?
He knows what he's doing.
No, he doesn't.
None of them know what they're doing.
Good evening, hoop tent.
Evening, boss.
Boss.
Well done today.
I know it was hard, but thank you.
Skipper says we're going to have
some better weather tomorrow,
so get some rest.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Carry on, then.
Do you think he heard?
Doesn't bloody listen.
How are they?
Tired, pretty fed up.
I think we all feel much the same.
Wasn't much of a day.
What'd we do, Buddha-two miles?
Mile and a half, I reckon.
Well, let's hope we do better tomorrow.
Don't let it come down on you.
To the side.
Hold the back.
Pull.
Hold it at the back.
Let it go, let it go.
Push.
Push astern.
Whoa, whoa, it's caught.
It's caught in the ice.
And strain.
Take it straight!
Ah, this is bloody stupid!
She's being torn apart.
Come on, keep at it, we can get through this!
I'm not doing it, it's stupid.
Look at the hull.
You're supposed to be captain of this cutter
and you're tearing her apart.
He's right.
We can't leave it here, we have to go on.
We can inspect any damage when we make camp.
Now get back to your position.
Bring her around!
No.
That's an order.
From who?
From your captain.
Captain of what?
You've no ship.
We've no ship.
So we're no longer under ship's articles.
And therefore we're under no compulsion
to do anything that's bloody stupid.
And for your information,
we're not being paid, either.
Get back to your positions, all of you.
We'll not be paid from the day she sank.
No ship, no pay.
Every sailor knows that.
"No ship, no pay"?
I've never heard that before.
Well, get yourself a copy
of ship's articles, admiral.
What is going on here?
McNish here feels that there are certain
Get these men back to work, Captain.
There's a base up ahead,
Charlie's setting up a tent.
Now, move, and that's an order.
You've no authority.
Don't talk to me about authority.
Who gave you the authority to
have 20 men standing still here
freezing?
Who gave you the authority to risk their lives
while you discuss what you think?
You want to know why they're doing what they're doing?
Because I told them to.
If you think that's wrong, then you come me.
The cutter's been torn apart.
I don't care about the bloody cutters!
I care about the bloody men!
Their lives-that's what I'm responsible for!
Well, I'm responsible
for my life, now,
and that means I don't have to accept
what some bastard who plants flags in snow for a living
thinks I should do.
We haven't got a ship, we haven't got a contract.
We don't have to do what you say.
I am the leader of this expedition
and your contract is with me, not the bloody ship.
Now, you do what I say and I will keep you alive-
and I will keep you alive.
But if you threaten my expedition,
the lives of my men
if you become the danger,
then I will have no hesitation in having you shot.
Aye.
Well, we know how much you like that.
Get back to your place, McNish.
And you, Vincent.
There's no other way.
Don't think for one second
that I would hesitate to use this.
Give him a hand behind, will you, Mac?
Right, let's get this boat moving, shall we?
There's a base half a mile ahead.
If we all pull together we can
be there in a couple of hours.
Come on!
As some of you may know,
Chippy and I had the opportunity
of a few moments' discussion
about your contract of employment.
There seemed to be some confusion,
which I would like to straighten out.
I have here a copy of the contract
which you have all signed,
and I shall read a part of it
for the benefit of those who seem not to have bothered.
"All members of the crew, without exception,
"are to have interchangeable duties
"and to perform any duty onboard, in the boats
or on the shore as directed by the master or owner."
That means, gentlemen,
that you're under my command until I release you,
which will not be until we have reached the home port.
It also means that you will be paid until that time
with or without the ship.
Any questions?
McNish?
No.
Sir.
Very good.
Well, then.
If Charlie's ready for us,
I think a little dinner is in order.
Thank you.
Is he all right, do you think?
No, I don't think he is.
But he won't let anyone see it.
Leave him to me.
What could he have hoped to achieve
by confronting me like that?
Is he mad?
They're tired.
It's hard
Grubs up, Captain.
Should I tell the boss?
No, leave him be.
He's coming.
But they've no experience at this.
Well, who does, for God's sake?
They think I'm doing this for my own enjoyment?
Our supplies are low, our morale is low,
if we don't move we'll die.
I know.
But some of them are starting to think
that we're going to die anyway,
so what's the point in moving.
Who said that?
Which of them said that?
No one's saying it yet.
It's what they're starting to think.
They're not going to die.
I will not let them die.
Do you understand?
I will not let them bloody die.
We just didn't think
that the Endurance would be away for so long.
We have an obligation to pay the crew's families,
but we expected the ship to be back in
South America by November at the latest.
When do you run out of funds?
Next month.
What about the Royal Geographical Society?
We only took half of the thousand
pounds that they offered us.
Unfortunately, we promised not to ask for the other half
in writing.
Well, tell them that we've changed our minds.
These are families with children
and they are our responsibility.
And I know that my husband wouldn't allow them to suffer.
Even �500, Lady Shackleton, would only last four months.
If we don't have news very soon
it means that they're in trouble, doesn't it?
I'm afraid it does.
Well, perhaps the Royal Geographical Society
should start to worry about that, too.
The dogs won't make it across this, let alone the boats.
It's breaking up fast.
We'll be on the water soon enough.
Perhaps we should just wait.
You noticed anything unusual?
No wildlife.
Nothing for three days.
We've about two day's supply of meat left.
We can't take the dogs with us when we're in the boats.
If we can't get any further we should get rid of them.
That should help us conserve our meat supply at least.
Let's get back.
Boss.
What about the Stancomb-Wills?
What about it?
I could take a team and go back for it.
We haven't come that far, could be our last chance.
We might be able to pick up some food as well.
The ice is too dangerous.
I'm not risking any lives.
Find a way or make one.
What?
Something my father once said
to me, "Find a way or make one."
I think we could do it.
If it's impossible, we abandon it;
we're no worse off.
Push it
Hold it there!
All right.
And she's going, lads, she's going.
All hands! All hands!
Why have we stopped?
It's the boss.
Boss's idea.
Thought you gentlemen might like a little refreshment.
What is it?
Don't you be rude, now.
It's as fine a cup of tea as you'll ever taste.
Get it down you.
Thank you.
Well done.
You're looking a little overloaded, boatswain.
It's our Christmas dinner, boss.
Bakewell and me left most of ours behind.
Did you now?
Well, you'll make number three
tent happy tonight, won't you?
Yes, boss.
Thank you, boss.
You're not going to let him get
away with that, are you? Sir?
Relax, colonel.
But that's a personal supply.
Well, didn't you bring anything?
No, because you said that we shouldn't.
Well perhaps you should have.
Doesn't seem right
after all the work they've done to get us here.
Ah, you're wasting your breath.
That bastard doesn't care.
If those old ladies back in England
who gave him all the money
knew he was out here shooting dogs,
they'd shoot him.
Aye.
Well, maybe they'll find us a cure.
Come on, boy.
Incredible.
Best thing I've ever eaten.
Who's that?
Uh, it's Nelson.
Well, turn him over, he's getting burnt.
He doesn't deserve that.
Don't mix them up.
I want to know who I'm eating.
What?
It's not the eating, it's the liking I object to.
The Chinese consider it a delicacy.
Exactly.
Don't all look at me.
It's not my fault.
It's not you.
Can you feel anything?
The ice - I felt a swell, I'm sure of it.
You're right, it's moving.
We're back at sea again, boys.
What can you see?
I can see something, but it's hard to tell what it is.
What do you think it is?
I think it's land.
According to your reckoning this morning, we're here.
You were looking northwest to here.
It's either Clarence Island or Elephant Island.
I think it's Elephant Island.
How far is that?
I'd say two days' sailing.
Are all the boats packed and ready to launch?
I feel like a captain again.
What do you mean?
Well, this floe is about as big as the Endurance.
Pull up some canvas, I could sail her out of here.
You can start plotting your course, sir.
She wouldn't last ten minutes.
She won't last more than a day or two as it is.
Watchman, are you alert?!
Yes, boss.
She's starting to split.
Crack! Crack!
Get out, boys, get out!
Jesus Christ!
Man in the water!
Come on!
Give us some help!
Come on!
Come on!
Get him up.
You all right, man?
I lost my bleeding out there!
I'm really sorry about that, Holness, really sorry.
I'm not sleeping on a silly iceberg again, that's for sure!
Everyone's clear.
We're out of the pack!
Well, thank God for that.
I didn't think we stood a chance.
Who says we do?
We've been very lucky.
Head for the Docker.
We need the skipper to take a sighting
while we still have the sun.
Well, how much closer are we now?
We're no closer.
We're further away.
That's impossible!
No, no, it means that the ice has been moving away from us,
not us moving away from it.
What's our course?
Nor'- nor'east.
Then we row.
Come on.
Jesus!
They don't know where we are or where we're going.
Save your strength.
The expedition is without the funds for a relief party.
And the money left by Sir Ernest Shackleton
to pay the dependents of the men serving
is almost exhausted.
Unless the Endurance reaches port within the next few days,
we are advised that arrangements
should be at once commenced
"for the organization of a relief
expedition to the Weddell Sea."
If you can't pull, get away from the oars.
It's making it harder for everyone else.
Give me the oar, Colonel.
Perce, give me a hand.
I can't, sir!
I can't move my feet.
Stamp them.
Keep stamping them.
I'll help.
Take that.
It's his back.
All right, take my oar.
I'll look after him.
Wills! All well?
Will's all well, sir!
Docker!
Are you well?
Docker's well!
We could do with some clean underwear.
I have some at home.
Tell my wife I'm on the way.
Here, take these.
Wear them till your hands come back.
I'm all right.
Don't be such a bloody fool!
Take the bloody things
or I'll throw them in the sea!
Thank you.
Come on!
Let's pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
The prime minister has had the enclosed letter
asking him to receive a deputation about the necessity
of sending a relief expedition for Sir Ernest Shackleton.
This does not seem to be a matter
in which the prime minister should take initiative,
and I have ascertained that the
Admiralty would not take it up,
so I'm writing to ask if you think
the Royal Geographical Society would wish to act
and perhaps, to make representation to the Treasury.
Yours sincerely, Marsh.
Good morning.
Morning.
Is it time for breakfast?
Must be.
What do you think?
Tea or coffee?
I never can decide.
Drives the wife crazy.
She always has to make both every morning.
Hit me.
What?
Hit me!
What have you got under there?
Nothing.
Are you hiding food?
His feet are completely gone.
Frostbite.
I'm sorry.
Are you all right?
Yes, thank you.
Where's the Docker?
I don't know.
I can only see the Wills.
If that bastard is lost, I'll kill him.
Worsley!
Worsley!
Frank, what's that?
It's land.
The stupid bugger's got us to Elephant Island
and lost himself.
Skipper
Skipper!
Is he dead?
No, he's still breathing.
Any sign of the others?
No, sir, must have drifted apart in the night.
I'll take the Willsin first.
She's the lightest.
Charlie, get your stuff together.
I want you and Frank to come with me.
Blackborow!
Here, sir!
No one's ever landed
on Elephant Island before.
As the youngest of the party,
you'll be the first to step ashore.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
I'll wake him up.
What the hell are you doing?
You want him awake, don't you?
Skipper, we're on course.
We're at the island.
Keep her away four degrees.
Go on!
Come on, Blackborow, you're the first.
Come on, man.
Give me a hand.
Get up, man!
What's wrong with his feet?
He hasn't got any, I don't think-frostbite.
Come on, boy.
Well, Perce, you were the first person
to sit down on Elephant Island anyway.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, isn't it beautiful?
It's the most beautiful bloody beach I've ever seen.
Charlie!
Yes, boss!
Have you got your stove?
Yes, boss.
I think a little lunch is in order.
All right, boss.
I'll go and see what I can find.
The delay in hearing from my husband
must be due to weather conditions.
In any case, the Endurance is sure to be short of coal
and is probably drifting with the ice or
traveling under sail.
"There is no doubt, however,
"that a relief ship should be got ready without delay
and leave here in August at
the latest for the Weddell Sea."
Do you think that means she knows something?
It means that Perris isn't getting
anywhere with the government,
and he's trying to create some public sympathy.
Because he needs more money.
Because, otherwise, there won't be a relief expedition.
There's a war on, darling.
Antarctic explorers in the snow aren't exactly
the government's priority at the moment.
How's Buddha?
Still in pain.
Not much to give him.
Thanks.
He's done some damage to his spine.
I think there may be an abscess.
And his hands are badly frostbitten.
Apparently, he had no gloves yesterday.
Blackborow and Greenstreet are more cheerful,
but their feet are pretty bad.
They won't be going anywhere for a while.
I'm afraid we'll all have to be on the move.
What?
This beach is too dangerous.
Frank and I looked at the high-water marks
on the cliff.
When this weather picks up,
the whole bloody beach will be underwater.
Can't we get further ashore anywhere?
I'd a look around as well.
I don't think so.
Don't look so gloomy.
We're on land, we're safe, we have food, we have water.
We're alive.
We'll find another beach.
After today, nothing will be hard ever again.
Morning, boss.
Charlie.
Did you sleep?
Oh, bloody tent blew down.
How about you?
No.
How long do you reckon
we're going to stay here then?
Not too long, I hope.
How about we make a start with breakfast?
Come on, I'll give you a hand.
Right, boss.
Rise and shine, gentlemen.
Do us a favor and fuck off, boss.
We're dead in here.
Come on.
I brought you some milk.
I lost me gloves in the night.
For all I know, I lost me soddin' hands.
I just want to sleep now.
Get up, you bastard!
You're on me foot.
I'm not on your bleeding foot.
I don't even know where it is.
I doubt you do either.
All right, boss, I'll have some of that milk.
Careful, boss, we're a little muddy.
You wouldn't think we'd be that warm, but we are.
Mack, how's Hudson?
He's in a lot of pain.
He has a large abscess on his behind.
There's nothing much I can do about it, but
I've washed out as much of the salt as I can.
Have you seen Hussey?
No, I thought he was fine.
He's taking it rather badly, I'm afraid.
Here.
Thanks, boss.
Chippy.
I suppose there's no way
we can make the Caird more seaworthy without wood.
Who says we don't have wood?
What do you want to do?
Make her unsinkable.
Cover her over, you mean, and make a deck?
Yes.
But I suppose that's impossible.
Who's the carpenter around here, you or me?
He hasn't slept for days.
We'll put him in my tent as he's no use.
I'm going to take a small group of men on the Caird
to go and get help.
I was hoping you'd agree to be one of them.
I better make sure she's watertight then, right?
I can only take six men with me,
and so far, every one of you who can stand has volunteered.
Except me, sir.
I'm not much use on the boat.
Not much use on the bloody planet.
Settle down now.
We're 870 miles away
from the whaling station at South Georgia.
If we're lucky with the weather, we'll be there in 12 days,
pick up a ship, back here in under a month,
couple of bottles of brandy, a few cigarettes.
We could have ourselves a pretty bloody good winter.
'Course if any of you wanted to go home as well,
that could be arranged.
I know those who remain will have the harder task.
If we should not come back,
you'll have to think of another plan.
I've asked Frank Wild
to take charge of the party
and the Doctors Macklin and Mcllroy to stay behind
to tend the men who are sick.
They've kindly agreed.
Now, with me, I'm taking the Skipper,
who, over the last few days,
has proved to us he's the finest navigator on earth;
Chippy McNeish, who will start work immediately
on the James Caird;
Seaman McCarthy and Seaman Vincent,
who gave me such a valuable lesson in charm this morning.
Tom, I'd like you to be with me as well.
Yes, boss.
Now, I want to leave in four days, so there's plenty to do.
I'm afraid Charlie Green isn't too well.
The doctors have ordered a complete rest,
so I will need to appoint a temporary chef.
Hussey, I'd like you to take charge.
I'm asking Frank Hurley to assist you.
Yes, boss.
Thank you.
I'd like to have taken you with me in the Caird.
You've chosen a good team.
You're the expedition photographer, Frank.
I think it right that you stay with the expedition.
In some ways, you are the expedition.
I don't know what are chances are in the Caird.
Evens at best, I suspect.
If we die, then what we've done
lies with you and your pictures.
You are our story.
If I don't come back,
I want to make sure there's someone there to tell it.
I've drawn up this letter.
It gives you back the rights
to all your pictures and your films if I die.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
It's a trick, of course.
Sir?
I'm not intending to die.
Well I suppose
that's the last we'll see of them.
Fuck off, you shite.
Yes, master.
730 miles, by my reckoning.
And all of it like this.
This is the easy part.
Let me give you a hand.
Thanks.
Pass the pot, will you?
Incredible.
So beautiful.
Imagine what people would say in London
if one of them came floating up the Thames.
They'd say, "If there's an iceberg in London,
what the bloody hell
is happening in Scotland?"
It's a privilege to see a master chef at work.
Whoa!
Cumberland sausage with English mustard.
Um macaroni cheese.
Pickled onion.
Venison pie.
Pork and beans.
Hmm
Scones with jam and cream.
Bread and butter pudding.
Roast potatoes.
Pig's trotters.
Marmalade pudding and devonshire cream.
Dumpling.
What sort of dumpling?
What do you think?
Bloody big sort of dumpling.
Ready?
Up!
Starboard.
Pole 20, and 32 seconds.
I'm sorry, old man.
I have to have a look at it.
Oh, it's very swollen.
Can you do anything about it?
Although it's painful,
I don't think it's dangerous at the moment.
Gently Excuse me.
We need those pages.
93 miles since yesterday.
Let's hope the wind holds.
This left foot isn't healing properly
and I think the toes are becoming gangrenous.
Do you want to amputate?
I don't think there's any alternative.
Nothing to worry about, young man.
No, sir I wasn't.
Something's changed.
Can you feel it?
I know
She's heavier.
I know what it is.
Ice.
When I put this over your face,
I want you to breathe deeply.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Ready?
Just hold that there, would you, Frank?
Thank you.
There's lots of damage to the deck.
We can't afford to let any more water in.
Tom!
Bandages, please
and could you pass me the mentholated spirits?
How much of that stuff have you got?
Enough.
Enough for me to borrow some?
You're the boss.
The prime minister wanted me to give this
to you personally.
What's this?
A committee.
A committee?
While the prime minister does not consider the fate
of the trans-imperial expedition
to be a government matter,
he nonetheless feels a personal concern,
and therefore proposes
that a committee of interested parties,
including representatives
of the board of trade and the treasury
should meet and discuss possible actions.
It's the middle of May.
If a ship is not crewed and ready within eight weeks,
it won't be able to get through the ice for another year,
by which time we'll be rescuing corpses.
Morning, boss.
Morning, skipper.
What's it like?
I think it's clearing for us.
Hello?
Hello?
Who is speaking?
Hello.
I'm sorry to call you.
This is
I know who you are.
I know I shouldn't call.
I know that he'd be angry.
And me?
How would I be?
I- I-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have.
Say what you wish.
You want to know if he's alive.
Yes.
You want to know if he's breathing somewhere,
or lying in some cold, hard chamber,
where no one can ever touch him.
Does that upset you?
Don't you ever think about it?
Are you surprised that I have
dreams about where he might be?
Or do you think somehow I know,
because I've sat here before
waiting with no news, long after the deadline is dead.
I'm very sorry.
I shouldn't have called you.
It's easier to cry when you have no child to watch you.
I have a child.
His name is Victor.
He's seven.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know that.
No.
You want to know if he's alive.
Yes.
He is alive.
Oh, thank you.
So where are we now?
We're on South Georgia.
But unfortunately, the whaling station
is on the other side of the island,
and there's a mountain in between.
You shouldn't have been allowed
to read a compass on your own.
You think that we could sell these
to the public?
What?
Baby albatross.
To the gastronomic class,
albatross a la mode.
Could be worth something.
Albatross � la Shackleton
would have more impact.
Or � la Worsley sounds more French.
With fresh cream, of course.
What's that?
We have to decide what to do.
I think it would be difficult
to launch the Caird.
So do I.
I think we have to cross by land.
Those who can't walk can stay here.
We'll come back for them.
Well, boatswain's very bad,
and I don't think Chippy could cope on his own.
Then we'll leave them with McCarthy.
There are two points in the adventure of the diver:
one, when a beggar, he prepares to plunge,
one, when a prince, he rises with his pearl.
Have you ever climbed a mountain?
No.
Nor me.
The albatross will be pleased.
We can't get down here.
Let's try further along.
Well, so much for cutting steps.
Maybe we could get further on our asses.
We don't know what's ahead.
There could be a precipice.
Not according to the map.
Not according to the map.
Shall we?
How far have we got?
Thousand feet, perhaps more.
My trousers are ruined.
Just a short one.
Must sleep for a moment.
Come on, come on!
You've had half an hour!
What?
You've had half an hour of sleep.
Gentlemen, I should like to welcome you
to this inaugural meeting
of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition Relief Committee.
Time what time is it?
About 7:00.
Exactly.
What time is it exactly?
7:00. It's just before 7:00.
Why?
Listen.
For what?
I have to do something.
There may be women here.
What?
Can't go around with my trousers flapping open.
Can can you lend me a hand?
Keep still.
The manager's house.
Is this
the manager's house?
Do you know me?
My name is Ernest Shackleton.
We have lost our ship
and come over the island.
Ernest Shackleton, my friend.
I'm afraid that we smell a little.
This is a whaling station; We all smell a little.
We've been away so long.
Tell us about the war.
When did it end?
The war?
The war, my friend, is not over.
They've gone mad.
Europe has gone mad.
They've killed millions and millions of people.
It's a war like no other war.
Who is winning?
Well, whoever is left alive in the end.
Won't you sit down, please, please.
Thank you.
I need to borrow a ship; My men need help.
I need to borrow a ship.
Just sit, please.
You're safe now,
and your men will be safe now.
Do you have a camera?
We should take a picture.
Don't worry about that.
Just rest.
Frank would want us to take a picture, wouldn't he?
Where's Marston?
If he isn't here, he doesn't eat.
Shh-shh. Shh.
Ship!
Ship!
At last!
Ship!
Are you all well?
All well, boss!
We are all well!
We are all well!
It took four separate attempts in different ships
before Sir Ernest Shackleton
finally reached Elephant Island
on August 30, 1916-
four months and six days after
he had left on the James Caird.
The steam tug Yelcho was totally unsuitable
for such a rescue
but somehow the ice cleared and she reached the beach.
Worried that she might be trapped in the ice,
Shackleton did not even step ashore.
The crew of the Endurance had a
hero's welcome in Punta Arenas.
Shackleton wrote to his wife that day.
"I've done it.
"Damn the admiralty.
"Not a life lost, and we have been through hell.
"Soon I will be home.
Then I will rest."
There was to be little rest.
Within three months,
most of the crew had found their way to the front line.
Shackleton was to return to the Antarctic
one final time, in 1922.
Eight of the Endurance crew sailed with him,
including Frank Wild, Worsley,
the two doctors-Mcllroy and Macklin-
Hussey and his banjo, and Charlie Green as the cook.
Shackleton died of a heart attack
as the ship reached South Georgia.
On his wife Emily's instruction.
Shackleton did not return to England,
but was buried in the cemetery at the whaling station
at Grytviken.
Shh
Lie still.
You'll only disturb the bandages.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I
I woke up and I couldn't see.
No one can see at the moment.
It's still dark.
What time is it?
It's just after 3:00.
Well, then, it won't be-
not completely dark.
If you look toward the east, you'll see something.
Oh, I can smell it-
out walking past an orchard.
What's your name?
Eleanor.
That's pretty.
Eleanor who?
Shackleton.
Like the explorer?
Yes, like the explorer.
Old man Hawkins knew him himself.
Oh, it must be quiet there.
None of the artillery there.
No bloody sun either, right?
That's right.
Dark all day.
Dark all bloody day
just like the rest of us.
Hello, someone in there?
Colonel?
Are you in there?
What the bloody hell are you doing down here in the dark?
Trying to get some sleep.
In the storeroom?
Good God, what is this, Aladdin's cave?!
Listen to that.
It's the ice starting to move.
You can feel it underneath your feet,
like an ant standing on the back of an elephant.
So you reckon we'll be out of here soon, then, eh?
One way or another, yes.
Where do you get all this stuff?
I collect it.
Just things nobody wants;
things that might come in useful one day.
Bent nails?
I use them for cleaning the tins.
Oh, I see, the tins?
Well, you're as mad as hatter, aren't you, old dear?
I don't think so, sir.
I think I'm rather sensible.
Ready?
Very still.
And now!
Of course everybody in the office knows my real name,
but they're too polite to show it.
Whenever there's any Arctic news in the paper,
they leave the page open casually for me
and then watch.
There's a lot of giggling amongst the younger secretaries.
We're celebrity of a kind, I suppose.
Anyway, how's school?
Is there any room for art in this sea of cocky?
Well, I finished at the Guild Hall.
So, darling, you're an actress at last.
Don't make fun of me-I got a job.
Oh, God, don't tell me-you're going to drive a train?
No.
I answered an advertisement in The Era.
I'm going to be in a play
at the Empire Theatre in Penge
from August 5.
Penge in August?
You out of your mind?
I have to start somewhere.
I can't go on saying I want something
and not doing anything about it.
Your brother at least taught me that.
Well, consider me rebuked.
But Penge?
I thought it was still bearbaiting and lewd dancing.
I'd no idea they went to the theater.
Well, they do
for 15 minutes, anyway.
It's a one-act play.
Fifteen minutes?
My dear, that's not theater, it's music hall.
You're going to be doing a turn.
The unmistakable sound of the English enjoying themselves.
What is it?
Rum-have some.
I wouldn't normally, you know.
My mum doesn't approve.
I suppose Midwinter's Day is special.
Dear beloved.
As your pastor, the Reverend Bubbling Love.
I would like to welcome you personally
to the Midwinter's Day festivity
and in particular to our chairman of our parish council,
Sir Interesting Shockleton.
I don't even know if she knows I'm here.
I wrote, like, from Buenos Aires,
but with the war and all that,
I I don't know whether it'll get to her.
Maybe it's better if she thinks
you're back there with those South American girls.
I don't think she'd like that, actually
the girls, I mean.
I hope she did get the letter.
I wouldn't like her not knowing.
Bloody hell!
Come and take a look at this, boys.
You've got to see it.
Gentlemen.
My name is
Lola.
I come from
Espana.
Where the sun
shines.
Look at this!
You come to me, lassie!
Arriba! Ol?!
There he is.
Come on, then, sir,
give us a bloody encore.
If you insist, boatswain.
I think if the daylight doesn't come back pretty soon
we're in trouble, Frankie.
Yes, boss.
Lady Shackleton, if the landing was impossible
he would have returned to South Georgia for the winter.
We must assume he's decided to keep the Endurance with him
which means we won't hear anything
until the ice starts breaking up around Christmas.
I feel that I have no right to worry at all
when so many are receiving such terrible news from France.
The public want to hear about something other than war-
something that reminds them what we're fighting for.
That's why I wanted to explain
that we'll be running some articles
from various experts
speculating on what may be happening to your husband.
This is to keep the public interested
so that when we do get news,
they'll be ready for it.
I understand, Mr. Perris.
He wouldn't like to be forgotten.
It's starting to break up.
The temperature was 23 degrees and rising
at first light this morning.
Right, let's get the dogs back on board.
If we get the chance, we must be ready to sail immediately
before it falls again.
Which direction?
What?
Which direction?
Do we go on?
Or do we go back?
I'm not sure that the choice will be ours to make.
But the Ross Sea party
should have started laying their depots by now.
I think we could all do with a little variety in our diet,
don't you, Frankie?
Yes, boss.
Besides, I could do with the exercise.
Good, come on, then.
I'm starting a 24-hour watch
on the state of the ice,
relieved every hour,
and no one is to leave the ship without permission.
Is that understood?
Chippy, I want a proper wheelhouse built
for the steersman.
If we do get into open water, it's going to be pretty cold.
You can use the wood from the shore hut.
Yes, boss.
Colonel, 72 days' rations
for every man packed on the sledges
and ready on deck from tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
You did say you wanted the rations
on the sledges.
I did.
We must face the possibility
that our ship could be damaged
or even destroyed.
If that happens, we'll have to take our chances on the ice.
But don't worry.
The weather is on our side.
The summer is on its way.
We'll get out of here under our own steam, I'm sure of it.
Let's make a start.
Thank you.
With the sun circling round the sky
day after day without setting,
the Stars and Stripes were planted
and the record left with a piece of the flag.
Go back over that bit again
where they talked about the tracker.
No, I want to hear what he says next.
What's so funny?
Peary talking about reaching the North Pole.
Yes?
The boss doesn't think he did.
Here, in the midst of great fields of heavy ice
covering an ocean two miles or more in depth
two miles or more in depth
with the sun circling round the sky
day after day without setting,
the Stars and Stripes were planted
and the record left
What's going on?
The ice is shifting.
Can she take it?
Nah, she's built wrong.
Should've had caulk on the hull
so the pressure forces her up.
She's not rising.
It's got a grip on her.
Melt again in the morning-
be back to normal.
Glad you think this is normal.
Where's the skipper?
He's already down there.
The damage's on the port bow.
It's hard to say how bad it is.
Are the pumps working?
The iron pumps are frozen.
We're doing what we can with the bilges
but it's no good against this.
She's whole beneath the water.
What do you think?
We've no access to the hole.
Best I can do is to seal it off.
A coffer dam?
Yes, sir.
Right, take what you need.
Lay the trestles flat.
There we are.
Ready?
As we'll ever be.
Go careful now.
Don't worry.
I always wanted to work in the circus.
How are they doing at the pumps, Skipper?
We're working three-hour shifts-
15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
We'll keep it up through the night.
I'll take a turn after dinner.
Where's the prince?
With Chippy building the dam.
Dinner is served.
Have you done this before?
Only once.
Will it hold?
If the ice doesn't shift it.
I can make it waterproof, but not ice-proof.
We can't hold out against this.
We've had the pumps going for 48 hours,
and the water's still rising.
The men can't take it much longer.
I know.
I wanted to stay off the ice as long as possible.
They're not going to find it easy.
Well, it'll cheer the dogs up anyway.
All right, let's start getting the equipment off.
- And the dogs.
We'll take a decision about where to sleep tonight later.
Gently does it, Frankie.
Right.
Have you done a tent allocation?
Yes.
Better put Mr. Hurley with me
where I can keep an eye on him.
Over there.
Secure it next to the other cutter.
And then we'll go back for the last.
Suddenly makes our freezing little cabin
seem rather warm and solid, doesn't it?
Are we sleeping here tonight?
Dinner's on board.
That's all I know.
Skipper, I think we should collect our last bits and pieces
when we've finished dinner.
Yes, boss.
Everyone please make sure you bring your diaries.
Boss.
Anyone not want their bannock?
Sorry, I
Carry on, colonel.
Eat while you can.
For tomorrow we diet.
Ah, but what time do we die at?
Sorry.
I was just
Not much point in washing up, is there?
I never leave a dirty plate behind me.
We must leave it spic-and-span.
Besides, we never know when
we might be coming back.
Boss?
Yes?
Shall I give the order to abandon?
How are the men?
Ready.
I think they're relieved in a way.
You know what he said to me when he gave me this?
The King?
"Make sure you bring it back."
Those were his words.
I think we should do what we were ordered to
and take it home, don't you?
Well, don't just stand there.
Give the order.
Go on.
Yes, boss.
Abandon ship!
Get going, boys, it's time to get off.
We've been working at the pumps.
I'll just get my jacket.
There's no time!
The boss said come back for it later!
Come on!
That's everyone, boss.
After you, then, Frank.
I want to run the end setup.
No surrender.
Right.
But we shouldn't be too long.
She's very restless.
Come on!
Well, Orde-Lees.
Looks like we got in the nick, this time.
I don't know, sir.
At least it'll make your book more exciting.
You think so?
Well, maybe you're right at that.
Thank you for your efforts today, gentlemen.
I know you're all very tired, so I'll be brief.
We have 18 sleeping bags
which means that ten of us will have to use blankets.
Each man please take a match.
Those that choose the shortest ones get a blanket.
And I seem to have earned myself a blanket.
Frank will you give you the tent allocations.
Get some rest, everyone.
Well there's a first time for everything.
Tent number one:
The boss,
Mr. Hudson, Mr. James and Mr. Hurley.
You all right, skipper?
Look, there's a light still on.
Emergency light, skipper.
Battery's come on.
It's like a heartbeat.
As though she was telling us she was still alive.
I could see what he was up to.
But I was too clever for him.
I took the other match.
Almost as clever as the rest of us.
What do you mean?
Well, have a look around you, mate.
We've all got sleeping bags, don't we?
I hope Mrs. Chippy's house trained.
Ah, she's just frightened like the rest of us.
We'll never survive in small boats.
It's been done before.
Not with 28 of us.
And what's the point in scrambling across the bloody ice
if it's going to melt in a few weeks anyway?
Did you sleep at all?
I had the choice of thinking lying down
or thinking standing up.
Standing up seemed more useful.
How is she?
Well, she sunk a little lower,
but she seems steady at the moment.
Still a lot of things we could salvage.
The longer we stay still, the harder it'll be.
Half of these men have never traveled on snow before.
Come on.
Room service.
There you go, Frank.
Rise and shine!
It's a beautiful morning out there!
Guests wishing to have their shoes shined,
please be so kind as to leave them at the door.
Something hot?
Chippy, we need to get some sort of a runner
fitted to the cutters so we can drag them.
You think you could get that organized today?
Aye.
When I've had some breakfast, I dare say I'll manage it.
And keep her away from the dogs.
They'll tear her to pieces if they get loose.
Aye.
We know that, don't we, darling?
Steady.
Down.
Step right up, gentlemen!
A one-day sale featuring brand new Burberry's,
warm and dry!
The latest fashions in men's undergarments.
Must be sold today,
we're going out of business tomorrow.
Don't be shy now, gentlemen,
step right up and help yourselves.
It's going to be bloody hard
pulling a boat over this stuff
if we can't even get a sled through.
There's no alternative.
If we stay still, we'll starve or go crazy.
You don't think we should wait?
They'll float the cutters when the pack breaks up.
This pack is drifting north.
If we wait for it to break up-
if it does break up-
we may find ourselves
in the middle of the south Atlantic.
How much chance do you think we stand there
in open boats with 28 men and no food?
Our ship and our stores have gone,
so I think it's time we went home.
After the excitements of yesterday
I'm sure we'd all rather sleep on land,
dry or otherwise,
so I intend to make for the nearest.
Here, now look.
Robertson Island.
Now, we'll establish a base there,
then I'll take a smaller party
across here, Graham Land
to Wilhelmina Bay.
Now, whalers from Deception Island use this
and it's our shortest route to rescue.
Right.
Everything we need
must be carried on the sledges.
I'm therefore allowing each man
only two pounds weight of personal possessions.
That includes your diaries, your shaving kit,
your eating utensils.
Everything else must go.
I mean everything.
It's of no use to us now.
We can carry nothing except what keeps us alive.
And that includes animals, I'm afraid.
I'm sorry, Chippy, no pets.
This is the Bible, presented to us
by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra.
I'm keeping three pages.
This is one of them.
"Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me"
Let's get on with it, boys.
Are they with you?
Yes, boss.
Well done, boys.
It's five minutes to 3:00, so we're ahead of ourselves.
We haven't even begun.
It's McNeish, sir.
Thank you, Frank.
She won't stand a chance out there.
The dogs will tear her to pieces,
and you know it.
Let me take her.
She's a bloody he.
I'll take her myself, if you don't mind.
My job now is to make sure you all live-
every single one of you.
To do that, I cannot afford to be sentimental.
If I am, you will die.
Die frozen, die starving, die mad.
I've seen it before.
I do not intend to see it again.
Now, it's been brought to my attention
that one or two people here
may have picked up items discarded by others yesterday.
Don't look so worried, boatswain.
I have a confession to make.
I am one of those guilty people.
I've picked up a book in the snow this morning.
A poetry book-Robert Browning.
I'm reminded of a line from a poem of his
called "Prospice."
"For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave."
Let's make this our best, shall we?
Robertson Island!
Robertson Island!
Five miles a day!
Five miles a day!
Right there, you are.
Can I have the next?
Hudson and Macklin have already scouted this floe.
They reckon it's over a mile square.
Well, that should give us some stability.
Five miles a day is obviously impossible,
so we have two alternatives.
Travel slow and risk running out of food,
or we stay here, wait for the weather to get warmer,
try to get out by boat.
I think we could get
some more supplies off the ship
before she disappears completely.
That way we could preserve the sledding rations.
Good idea.
Skipper?
I think we should stay here and see what happens.
Very well.
Tell the men we're going to stay here for now,
but I don't want anybody digging in.
We have to be ready to move at any time.
Frank, you take who you want.
Get back to the ship in the morning.
No heroics.
Yes, boss.
I've got it.
Marzipan.
That does it, I've gotten hungry now.
Walnuts.
Another weight off me mind.
Keep going!
We're in the right place.
There's more there, I'm sure of it.
I've got no oven, so don't go expecting any bread.
It's hot, and that's the best thing I can say about it.
Go on, chef, let's have it then.
Oh, God, she's bloody useless!
Now the bloody bottom's burned out!
How can I bloody cook without a bloody pot to cook in?
Charlie, where are you going?
I'm bloody going home.
This is bloody stupid!
I've had enough.
Look, this must be dump camp.
What?
All our stuff.
It's all here somewhere.
Hundreds of pounds of it, just thrown away-
such a ruddy waste.
You won't find anything now.
Ice melts, everything sinks, ice freezes,
it's gone-simple as that.
Someone's had a go. Look.
Could be penguins.
Penguins looking for gold sovereigns, I presume.
16 years I had that bicycle.
A Rudge-Whitworth-I won't find one like it again.
Come on.
What are you doing?
Looking for my film.
It's down there, underwater.
The cans are sealed, so the water can't get at it
but I can't reach.
If you two blokes were to hold my legs, I think I could.
You're crazy.
You'll freeze to death if you go under there,
if you don't drown first.
Can't reach far enough on my own.
I'm not going without them.
Pull!
There's another one.
She's on the move.
Just don't worry, I'll be quick.
Where's he gone?
I don't bloody know.
Get him out. Come on!
Pull!
Let's get his circulation going.
She's going!
Let's get him out.
All right. Just get the bloody film.
Take the cans.
Frank, we can't carry any more weight.
I'm not leaving them behind.
I have 28 lives to consider.
So have I!
And one year of each of those
28 lives is in these pictures.
What's the point of our survival
if there's no record of what's happened,
and if we don't make it,
then this will be all the life that's left of us.
Without these, we've done nothing
except get lost like a bunch of
schoolgirls on a nature ramble.
How many are there?
Well, perhaps we could take a box.
Not enough.
200-you make the selection.
100, and we make the selection together. Deal?
Deal?
Deal.
Penguins, two, regarding cameraman
with amorous expression.
No more penguins.
View of South Georgia, slightly out of focus,
sea captain in foreground.
No, certainly not-doesn't do him justice.
Close shot-mad storekeeper in silly hat.
Staring at camera with glazed expression.
No, too depressing.
Oh, wait, we have an obligation to his mother.
We'll keep it.
Cantankerous old man standing on prow of ship.
Oh, you're right, he does look miserable
and old.
Cancel that career as a Hollywood photographer.
Put it in the public-have-a-right-to-know box.
When did you take this?
First day we played football on the ice.
I never thought of her as beautiful-
always seemed dumpy, somehow; Heavy around the waist.
Well, she's what I see now.
First, I would like to pay tribute to Chippy McNeish,
whose hard work has contrived
to give us a safer and more seaworthy way home.
Well done.
I would like to christen them today after three people
without whose help we would not be where we are today.
The Stancomb-Wills after my dear friend,
Miss Janet Stancomb-Wills, captained by Mr. Hudson.
The Dudley Docker, under the command of Captain Worsley.
And the James Cairn, which I will myself command.
No champagne, I'm afraid.
She's going, boys.
It's as though she never existed.
Nothing.
Not even a dent in the bloody ice,
yet she was right here.
"Out of whose womb came the ice,
"And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
"The waters are hid as with stone,
And the face of the deep is frozen."
Thank you for saving the pictures.
You were right.
Without them, we'd just be left with words
and they're not always enough.
You start a fire here at the bottom
using a little wood and petrol to get it going.
Then you place the main blubber container on top of that.
This is heated by the fire, the blubber starts to boil,
spilling back into the fire
increasing the intensity of the heat.
And the smoke.
All we need now is something to bloody cook on it.
Yes. Well done, Frank.
Hudson!
Distract her, for God's sake.
Not like that.
Pretend to be a seal.
Well, that didn't work.
It just disappeared.
That's because you were waving your arms.
Seals don't have arms.
The don't wear silly hats, either.
You told me to distract it, not to impersonate it.
Look, there's another one.
Right there.
Cheetham.
Whose is this?
Vincent.
Whose is this?
Bakewell.
Whose is this?
McNeish.
Whose is this?
Blackborow.
Whose is this?
It's a trick, isn't it?
What is?
How you call them out?
What are you talking about?
When you say, "Whose is this?",
it means it's a small portion,
and when you say, "Whose is this?", it's a big one.
Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, you don't care, do you?
You're the storeman.
You can have what you like.
How dare you say that?
Shut up, Colonel!
Blackborow.
Skipper.
You can choose the names tomorrow.
Me, sir?
Now let's get some sleep.
Maybe it's the other way around.
The ice is getting less stable.
I think we should get closer to the sea while we still can.
We're organized.
We could average two,
maybe three miles a day.
We'll never manage all three boats.
We'll have to walk in relays to move two as it is.
Do you think 28 men can make it in two boats?
Yes, I do.
If there's no alternative, they'll have to.
We'll strike camp tomorrow.
The men were looking forward
to celebrating Christmas, boss.
Then we make tomorrow Christmas.
I don't want to stay here any longer.
It isn't safe.
Now, we'll have a feast tomorrow,
and everything that's not going
on the sledges can be eaten.
It's ripping into the hulls.
They'll not take much more of it.
What's he going to do if we lose the cutter?
We'll not get everybody in as it is.
Go to sleep, old man.
Go and look at the hulls.
I'm not joking.
Ah, you're all too bloody terrified of him.
That's enough!
It's suicide.
You can't fit 28 men in two tiny boats.
We're barely making 600 yards an hour as it is.
Another boat would kill us.
We should have stayed where we were,
waited for the ice to break up.
And if it didn't?
What then?
He knows what he's doing.
No, he doesn't.
None of them know what they're doing.
Good evening, hoop tent.
Evening, boss.
Boss.
Well done today.
I know it was hard, but thank you.
Skipper says we're going to have
some better weather tomorrow,
so get some rest.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Carry on, then.
Do you think he heard?
Doesn't bloody listen.
How are they?
Tired, pretty fed up.
I think we all feel much the same.
Wasn't much of a day.
What'd we do, Buddha-two miles?
Mile and a half, I reckon.
Well, let's hope we do better tomorrow.
Don't let it come down on you.
To the side.
Hold the back.
Pull.
Hold it at the back.
Let it go, let it go.
Push.
Push astern.
Whoa, whoa, it's caught.
It's caught in the ice.
And strain.
Take it straight!
Ah, this is bloody stupid!
She's being torn apart.
Come on, keep at it, we can get through this!
I'm not doing it, it's stupid.
Look at the hull.
You're supposed to be captain of this cutter
and you're tearing her apart.
He's right.
We can't leave it here, we have to go on.
We can inspect any damage when we make camp.
Now get back to your position.
Bring her around!
No.
That's an order.
From who?
From your captain.
Captain of what?
You've no ship.
We've no ship.
So we're no longer under ship's articles.
And therefore we're under no compulsion
to do anything that's bloody stupid.
And for your information,
we're not being paid, either.
Get back to your positions, all of you.
We'll not be paid from the day she sank.
No ship, no pay.
Every sailor knows that.
"No ship, no pay"?
I've never heard that before.
Well, get yourself a copy
of ship's articles, admiral.
What is going on here?
McNish here feels that there are certain
Get these men back to work, Captain.
There's a base up ahead,
Charlie's setting up a tent.
Now, move, and that's an order.
You've no authority.
Don't talk to me about authority.
Who gave you the authority to
have 20 men standing still here
freezing?
Who gave you the authority to risk their lives
while you discuss what you think?
You want to know why they're doing what they're doing?
Because I told them to.
If you think that's wrong, then you come me.
The cutter's been torn apart.
I don't care about the bloody cutters!
I care about the bloody men!
Their lives-that's what I'm responsible for!
Well, I'm responsible
for my life, now,
and that means I don't have to accept
what some bastard who plants flags in snow for a living
thinks I should do.
We haven't got a ship, we haven't got a contract.
We don't have to do what you say.
I am the leader of this expedition
and your contract is with me, not the bloody ship.
Now, you do what I say and I will keep you alive-
and I will keep you alive.
But if you threaten my expedition,
the lives of my men
if you become the danger,
then I will have no hesitation in having you shot.
Aye.
Well, we know how much you like that.
Get back to your place, McNish.
And you, Vincent.
There's no other way.
Don't think for one second
that I would hesitate to use this.
Give him a hand behind, will you, Mac?
Right, let's get this boat moving, shall we?
There's a base half a mile ahead.
If we all pull together we can
be there in a couple of hours.
Come on!
As some of you may know,
Chippy and I had the opportunity
of a few moments' discussion
about your contract of employment.
There seemed to be some confusion,
which I would like to straighten out.
I have here a copy of the contract
which you have all signed,
and I shall read a part of it
for the benefit of those who seem not to have bothered.
"All members of the crew, without exception,
"are to have interchangeable duties
"and to perform any duty onboard, in the boats
or on the shore as directed by the master or owner."
That means, gentlemen,
that you're under my command until I release you,
which will not be until we have reached the home port.
It also means that you will be paid until that time
with or without the ship.
Any questions?
McNish?
No.
Sir.
Very good.
Well, then.
If Charlie's ready for us,
I think a little dinner is in order.
Thank you.
Is he all right, do you think?
No, I don't think he is.
But he won't let anyone see it.
Leave him to me.
What could he have hoped to achieve
by confronting me like that?
Is he mad?
They're tired.
It's hard
Grubs up, Captain.
Should I tell the boss?
No, leave him be.
He's coming.
But they've no experience at this.
Well, who does, for God's sake?
They think I'm doing this for my own enjoyment?
Our supplies are low, our morale is low,
if we don't move we'll die.
I know.
But some of them are starting to think
that we're going to die anyway,
so what's the point in moving.
Who said that?
Which of them said that?
No one's saying it yet.
It's what they're starting to think.
They're not going to die.
I will not let them die.
Do you understand?
I will not let them bloody die.
We just didn't think
that the Endurance would be away for so long.
We have an obligation to pay the crew's families,
but we expected the ship to be back in
South America by November at the latest.
When do you run out of funds?
Next month.
What about the Royal Geographical Society?
We only took half of the thousand
pounds that they offered us.
Unfortunately, we promised not to ask for the other half
in writing.
Well, tell them that we've changed our minds.
These are families with children
and they are our responsibility.
And I know that my husband wouldn't allow them to suffer.
Even �500, Lady Shackleton, would only last four months.
If we don't have news very soon
it means that they're in trouble, doesn't it?
I'm afraid it does.
Well, perhaps the Royal Geographical Society
should start to worry about that, too.
The dogs won't make it across this, let alone the boats.
It's breaking up fast.
We'll be on the water soon enough.
Perhaps we should just wait.
You noticed anything unusual?
No wildlife.
Nothing for three days.
We've about two day's supply of meat left.
We can't take the dogs with us when we're in the boats.
If we can't get any further we should get rid of them.
That should help us conserve our meat supply at least.
Let's get back.
Boss.
What about the Stancomb-Wills?
What about it?
I could take a team and go back for it.
We haven't come that far, could be our last chance.
We might be able to pick up some food as well.
The ice is too dangerous.
I'm not risking any lives.
Find a way or make one.
What?
Something my father once said
to me, "Find a way or make one."
I think we could do it.
If it's impossible, we abandon it;
we're no worse off.
Push it
Hold it there!
All right.
And she's going, lads, she's going.
All hands! All hands!
Why have we stopped?
It's the boss.
Boss's idea.
Thought you gentlemen might like a little refreshment.
What is it?
Don't you be rude, now.
It's as fine a cup of tea as you'll ever taste.
Get it down you.
Thank you.
Well done.
You're looking a little overloaded, boatswain.
It's our Christmas dinner, boss.
Bakewell and me left most of ours behind.
Did you now?
Well, you'll make number three
tent happy tonight, won't you?
Yes, boss.
Thank you, boss.
You're not going to let him get
away with that, are you? Sir?
Relax, colonel.
But that's a personal supply.
Well, didn't you bring anything?
No, because you said that we shouldn't.
Well perhaps you should have.
Doesn't seem right
after all the work they've done to get us here.
Ah, you're wasting your breath.
That bastard doesn't care.
If those old ladies back in England
who gave him all the money
knew he was out here shooting dogs,
they'd shoot him.
Aye.
Well, maybe they'll find us a cure.
Come on, boy.
Incredible.
Best thing I've ever eaten.
Who's that?
Uh, it's Nelson.
Well, turn him over, he's getting burnt.
He doesn't deserve that.
Don't mix them up.
I want to know who I'm eating.
What?
It's not the eating, it's the liking I object to.
The Chinese consider it a delicacy.
Exactly.
Don't all look at me.
It's not my fault.
It's not you.
Can you feel anything?
The ice - I felt a swell, I'm sure of it.
You're right, it's moving.
We're back at sea again, boys.
What can you see?
I can see something, but it's hard to tell what it is.
What do you think it is?
I think it's land.
According to your reckoning this morning, we're here.
You were looking northwest to here.
It's either Clarence Island or Elephant Island.
I think it's Elephant Island.
How far is that?
I'd say two days' sailing.
Are all the boats packed and ready to launch?
I feel like a captain again.
What do you mean?
Well, this floe is about as big as the Endurance.
Pull up some canvas, I could sail her out of here.
You can start plotting your course, sir.
She wouldn't last ten minutes.
She won't last more than a day or two as it is.
Watchman, are you alert?!
Yes, boss.
She's starting to split.
Crack! Crack!
Get out, boys, get out!
Jesus Christ!
Man in the water!
Come on!
Give us some help!
Come on!
Come on!
Get him up.
You all right, man?
I lost my bleeding out there!
I'm really sorry about that, Holness, really sorry.
I'm not sleeping on a silly iceberg again, that's for sure!
Everyone's clear.
We're out of the pack!
Well, thank God for that.
I didn't think we stood a chance.
Who says we do?
We've been very lucky.
Head for the Docker.
We need the skipper to take a sighting
while we still have the sun.
Well, how much closer are we now?
We're no closer.
We're further away.
That's impossible!
No, no, it means that the ice has been moving away from us,
not us moving away from it.
What's our course?
Nor'- nor'east.
Then we row.
Come on.
Jesus!
They don't know where we are or where we're going.
Save your strength.
The expedition is without the funds for a relief party.
And the money left by Sir Ernest Shackleton
to pay the dependents of the men serving
is almost exhausted.
Unless the Endurance reaches port within the next few days,
we are advised that arrangements
should be at once commenced
"for the organization of a relief
expedition to the Weddell Sea."
If you can't pull, get away from the oars.
It's making it harder for everyone else.
Give me the oar, Colonel.
Perce, give me a hand.
I can't, sir!
I can't move my feet.
Stamp them.
Keep stamping them.
I'll help.
Take that.
It's his back.
All right, take my oar.
I'll look after him.
Wills! All well?
Will's all well, sir!
Docker!
Are you well?
Docker's well!
We could do with some clean underwear.
I have some at home.
Tell my wife I'm on the way.
Here, take these.
Wear them till your hands come back.
I'm all right.
Don't be such a bloody fool!
Take the bloody things
or I'll throw them in the sea!
Thank you.
Come on!
Let's pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
The prime minister has had the enclosed letter
asking him to receive a deputation about the necessity
of sending a relief expedition for Sir Ernest Shackleton.
This does not seem to be a matter
in which the prime minister should take initiative,
and I have ascertained that the
Admiralty would not take it up,
so I'm writing to ask if you think
the Royal Geographical Society would wish to act
and perhaps, to make representation to the Treasury.
Yours sincerely, Marsh.
Good morning.
Morning.
Is it time for breakfast?
Must be.
What do you think?
Tea or coffee?
I never can decide.
Drives the wife crazy.
She always has to make both every morning.
Hit me.
What?
Hit me!
What have you got under there?
Nothing.
Are you hiding food?
His feet are completely gone.
Frostbite.
I'm sorry.
Are you all right?
Yes, thank you.
Where's the Docker?
I don't know.
I can only see the Wills.
If that bastard is lost, I'll kill him.
Worsley!
Worsley!
Frank, what's that?
It's land.
The stupid bugger's got us to Elephant Island
and lost himself.
Skipper
Skipper!
Is he dead?
No, he's still breathing.
Any sign of the others?
No, sir, must have drifted apart in the night.
I'll take the Willsin first.
She's the lightest.
Charlie, get your stuff together.
I want you and Frank to come with me.
Blackborow!
Here, sir!
No one's ever landed
on Elephant Island before.
As the youngest of the party,
you'll be the first to step ashore.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
I'll wake him up.
What the hell are you doing?
You want him awake, don't you?
Skipper, we're on course.
We're at the island.
Keep her away four degrees.
Go on!
Come on, Blackborow, you're the first.
Come on, man.
Give me a hand.
Get up, man!
What's wrong with his feet?
He hasn't got any, I don't think-frostbite.
Come on, boy.
Well, Perce, you were the first person
to sit down on Elephant Island anyway.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, isn't it beautiful?
It's the most beautiful bloody beach I've ever seen.
Charlie!
Yes, boss!
Have you got your stove?
Yes, boss.
I think a little lunch is in order.
All right, boss.
I'll go and see what I can find.
The delay in hearing from my husband
must be due to weather conditions.
In any case, the Endurance is sure to be short of coal
and is probably drifting with the ice or
traveling under sail.
"There is no doubt, however,
"that a relief ship should be got ready without delay
and leave here in August at
the latest for the Weddell Sea."
Do you think that means she knows something?
It means that Perris isn't getting
anywhere with the government,
and he's trying to create some public sympathy.
Because he needs more money.
Because, otherwise, there won't be a relief expedition.
There's a war on, darling.
Antarctic explorers in the snow aren't exactly
the government's priority at the moment.
How's Buddha?
Still in pain.
Not much to give him.
Thanks.
He's done some damage to his spine.
I think there may be an abscess.
And his hands are badly frostbitten.
Apparently, he had no gloves yesterday.
Blackborow and Greenstreet are more cheerful,
but their feet are pretty bad.
They won't be going anywhere for a while.
I'm afraid we'll all have to be on the move.
What?
This beach is too dangerous.
Frank and I looked at the high-water marks
on the cliff.
When this weather picks up,
the whole bloody beach will be underwater.
Can't we get further ashore anywhere?
I'd a look around as well.
I don't think so.
Don't look so gloomy.
We're on land, we're safe, we have food, we have water.
We're alive.
We'll find another beach.
After today, nothing will be hard ever again.
Morning, boss.
Charlie.
Did you sleep?
Oh, bloody tent blew down.
How about you?
No.
How long do you reckon
we're going to stay here then?
Not too long, I hope.
How about we make a start with breakfast?
Come on, I'll give you a hand.
Right, boss.
Rise and shine, gentlemen.
Do us a favor and fuck off, boss.
We're dead in here.
Come on.
I brought you some milk.
I lost me gloves in the night.
For all I know, I lost me soddin' hands.
I just want to sleep now.
Get up, you bastard!
You're on me foot.
I'm not on your bleeding foot.
I don't even know where it is.
I doubt you do either.
All right, boss, I'll have some of that milk.
Careful, boss, we're a little muddy.
You wouldn't think we'd be that warm, but we are.
Mack, how's Hudson?
He's in a lot of pain.
He has a large abscess on his behind.
There's nothing much I can do about it, but
I've washed out as much of the salt as I can.
Have you seen Hussey?
No, I thought he was fine.
He's taking it rather badly, I'm afraid.
Here.
Thanks, boss.
Chippy.
I suppose there's no way
we can make the Caird more seaworthy without wood.
Who says we don't have wood?
What do you want to do?
Make her unsinkable.
Cover her over, you mean, and make a deck?
Yes.
But I suppose that's impossible.
Who's the carpenter around here, you or me?
He hasn't slept for days.
We'll put him in my tent as he's no use.
I'm going to take a small group of men on the Caird
to go and get help.
I was hoping you'd agree to be one of them.
I better make sure she's watertight then, right?
I can only take six men with me,
and so far, every one of you who can stand has volunteered.
Except me, sir.
I'm not much use on the boat.
Not much use on the bloody planet.
Settle down now.
We're 870 miles away
from the whaling station at South Georgia.
If we're lucky with the weather, we'll be there in 12 days,
pick up a ship, back here in under a month,
couple of bottles of brandy, a few cigarettes.
We could have ourselves a pretty bloody good winter.
'Course if any of you wanted to go home as well,
that could be arranged.
I know those who remain will have the harder task.
If we should not come back,
you'll have to think of another plan.
I've asked Frank Wild
to take charge of the party
and the Doctors Macklin and Mcllroy to stay behind
to tend the men who are sick.
They've kindly agreed.
Now, with me, I'm taking the Skipper,
who, over the last few days,
has proved to us he's the finest navigator on earth;
Chippy McNeish, who will start work immediately
on the James Caird;
Seaman McCarthy and Seaman Vincent,
who gave me such a valuable lesson in charm this morning.
Tom, I'd like you to be with me as well.
Yes, boss.
Now, I want to leave in four days, so there's plenty to do.
I'm afraid Charlie Green isn't too well.
The doctors have ordered a complete rest,
so I will need to appoint a temporary chef.
Hussey, I'd like you to take charge.
I'm asking Frank Hurley to assist you.
Yes, boss.
Thank you.
I'd like to have taken you with me in the Caird.
You've chosen a good team.
You're the expedition photographer, Frank.
I think it right that you stay with the expedition.
In some ways, you are the expedition.
I don't know what are chances are in the Caird.
Evens at best, I suspect.
If we die, then what we've done
lies with you and your pictures.
You are our story.
If I don't come back,
I want to make sure there's someone there to tell it.
I've drawn up this letter.
It gives you back the rights
to all your pictures and your films if I die.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
It's a trick, of course.
Sir?
I'm not intending to die.
Well I suppose
that's the last we'll see of them.
Fuck off, you shite.
Yes, master.
730 miles, by my reckoning.
And all of it like this.
This is the easy part.
Let me give you a hand.
Thanks.
Pass the pot, will you?
Incredible.
So beautiful.
Imagine what people would say in London
if one of them came floating up the Thames.
They'd say, "If there's an iceberg in London,
what the bloody hell
is happening in Scotland?"
It's a privilege to see a master chef at work.
Whoa!
Cumberland sausage with English mustard.
Um macaroni cheese.
Pickled onion.
Venison pie.
Pork and beans.
Hmm
Scones with jam and cream.
Bread and butter pudding.
Roast potatoes.
Pig's trotters.
Marmalade pudding and devonshire cream.
Dumpling.
What sort of dumpling?
What do you think?
Bloody big sort of dumpling.
Ready?
Up!
Starboard.
Pole 20, and 32 seconds.
I'm sorry, old man.
I have to have a look at it.
Oh, it's very swollen.
Can you do anything about it?
Although it's painful,
I don't think it's dangerous at the moment.
Gently Excuse me.
We need those pages.
93 miles since yesterday.
Let's hope the wind holds.
This left foot isn't healing properly
and I think the toes are becoming gangrenous.
Do you want to amputate?
I don't think there's any alternative.
Nothing to worry about, young man.
No, sir I wasn't.
Something's changed.
Can you feel it?
I know
She's heavier.
I know what it is.
Ice.
When I put this over your face,
I want you to breathe deeply.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Ready?
Just hold that there, would you, Frank?
Thank you.
There's lots of damage to the deck.
We can't afford to let any more water in.
Tom!
Bandages, please
and could you pass me the mentholated spirits?
How much of that stuff have you got?
Enough.
Enough for me to borrow some?
You're the boss.
The prime minister wanted me to give this
to you personally.
What's this?
A committee.
A committee?
While the prime minister does not consider the fate
of the trans-imperial expedition
to be a government matter,
he nonetheless feels a personal concern,
and therefore proposes
that a committee of interested parties,
including representatives
of the board of trade and the treasury
should meet and discuss possible actions.
It's the middle of May.
If a ship is not crewed and ready within eight weeks,
it won't be able to get through the ice for another year,
by which time we'll be rescuing corpses.
Morning, boss.
Morning, skipper.
What's it like?
I think it's clearing for us.
Hello?
Hello?
Who is speaking?
Hello.
I'm sorry to call you.
This is
I know who you are.
I know I shouldn't call.
I know that he'd be angry.
And me?
How would I be?
I- I-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have.
Say what you wish.
You want to know if he's alive.
Yes.
You want to know if he's breathing somewhere,
or lying in some cold, hard chamber,
where no one can ever touch him.
Does that upset you?
Don't you ever think about it?
Are you surprised that I have
dreams about where he might be?
Or do you think somehow I know,
because I've sat here before
waiting with no news, long after the deadline is dead.
I'm very sorry.
I shouldn't have called you.
It's easier to cry when you have no child to watch you.
I have a child.
His name is Victor.
He's seven.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know that.
No.
You want to know if he's alive.
Yes.
He is alive.
Oh, thank you.
So where are we now?
We're on South Georgia.
But unfortunately, the whaling station
is on the other side of the island,
and there's a mountain in between.
You shouldn't have been allowed
to read a compass on your own.
You think that we could sell these
to the public?
What?
Baby albatross.
To the gastronomic class,
albatross a la mode.
Could be worth something.
Albatross � la Shackleton
would have more impact.
Or � la Worsley sounds more French.
With fresh cream, of course.
What's that?
We have to decide what to do.
I think it would be difficult
to launch the Caird.
So do I.
I think we have to cross by land.
Those who can't walk can stay here.
We'll come back for them.
Well, boatswain's very bad,
and I don't think Chippy could cope on his own.
Then we'll leave them with McCarthy.
There are two points in the adventure of the diver:
one, when a beggar, he prepares to plunge,
one, when a prince, he rises with his pearl.
Have you ever climbed a mountain?
No.
Nor me.
The albatross will be pleased.
We can't get down here.
Let's try further along.
Well, so much for cutting steps.
Maybe we could get further on our asses.
We don't know what's ahead.
There could be a precipice.
Not according to the map.
Not according to the map.
Shall we?
How far have we got?
Thousand feet, perhaps more.
My trousers are ruined.
Just a short one.
Must sleep for a moment.
Come on, come on!
You've had half an hour!
What?
You've had half an hour of sleep.
Gentlemen, I should like to welcome you
to this inaugural meeting
of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition Relief Committee.
Time what time is it?
About 7:00.
Exactly.
What time is it exactly?
7:00. It's just before 7:00.
Why?
Listen.
For what?
I have to do something.
There may be women here.
What?
Can't go around with my trousers flapping open.
Can can you lend me a hand?
Keep still.
The manager's house.
Is this
the manager's house?
Do you know me?
My name is Ernest Shackleton.
We have lost our ship
and come over the island.
Ernest Shackleton, my friend.
I'm afraid that we smell a little.
This is a whaling station; We all smell a little.
We've been away so long.
Tell us about the war.
When did it end?
The war?
The war, my friend, is not over.
They've gone mad.
Europe has gone mad.
They've killed millions and millions of people.
It's a war like no other war.
Who is winning?
Well, whoever is left alive in the end.
Won't you sit down, please, please.
Thank you.
I need to borrow a ship; My men need help.
I need to borrow a ship.
Just sit, please.
You're safe now,
and your men will be safe now.
Do you have a camera?
We should take a picture.
Don't worry about that.
Just rest.
Frank would want us to take a picture, wouldn't he?
Where's Marston?
If he isn't here, he doesn't eat.
Shh-shh. Shh.
Ship!
Ship!
At last!
Ship!
Are you all well?
All well, boss!
We are all well!
We are all well!
It took four separate attempts in different ships
before Sir Ernest Shackleton
finally reached Elephant Island
on August 30, 1916-
four months and six days after
he had left on the James Caird.
The steam tug Yelcho was totally unsuitable
for such a rescue
but somehow the ice cleared and she reached the beach.
Worried that she might be trapped in the ice,
Shackleton did not even step ashore.
The crew of the Endurance had a
hero's welcome in Punta Arenas.
Shackleton wrote to his wife that day.
"I've done it.
"Damn the admiralty.
"Not a life lost, and we have been through hell.
"Soon I will be home.
Then I will rest."
There was to be little rest.
Within three months,
most of the crew had found their way to the front line.
Shackleton was to return to the Antarctic
one final time, in 1922.
Eight of the Endurance crew sailed with him,
including Frank Wild, Worsley,
the two doctors-Mcllroy and Macklin-
Hussey and his banjo, and Charlie Green as the cook.
Shackleton died of a heart attack
as the ship reached South Georgia.
On his wife Emily's instruction.
Shackleton did not return to England,
but was buried in the cemetery at the whaling station
at Grytviken.