The Last Place on Earth
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Movie Reviews of The Last Place on Earth
Movie Review: Definitely Five Stars!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first watched this film when it was aired on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre back in 1984. Roland Huntford's account of the big race between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott speaks out the truth that was omitted when Scott's diary was first published, and kept from public interest so that Scott could be claimed as a hero throughout the British Empire. Though Amundsen claimed the South Pole one month ahead of Scott, the British looked upon him as an inferior and giving Scott all the glory. I've had the opportunity as a boy to meet the real Tryggve Gran, the youngest member of the South Pole Expedition more than once, who accompanied Scott to Antarctica as ski instructor. Gran, who was in his late seventies when I met him at his home in Norway, had written several books about the South Pole Expeditions of the two men. Gran knew that Scott was in trouble from the very beginning. The filming sequence was shot in the Arctic regions of northern Canada and Greenland where the actors could experience the real effects that those they portrayed had felt. Temperatures dipped down as low as -60ºF and howling winds were prevalent. This was done in order to get as close to reality as possible. I highly reccomend this video.Movie Review: Faithfull to the book
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is based on the Roland Huntford book "The last place on earth". It is faithfull to the book, but the latter is much more powerful. Martin Shaw as RF Scott and especially Sven Anker Ousdal as Roald Amundsen are remarquable.
Every important event is portrayed and easy to follow. The only 2 drawbacks I didn't like is that the producers took the liberty to change Titus Oates famous last words "I'm just going outside and may be some time" to "nature's call old buddy" which is less dramatic. Brian Dennehy appears two times as Dr. Frederick A Cook and the second time he plays him when Amundsen visits him in Leavensworth prison in the USA. The portrayal of Dr. Cook by Dennehy makes him someone dishonest who deliberatly fraud poor investors. History showed that Cook was right and was even pardonned.
However, if you can forget those 2 miscues, the DVD is a lot of fun.
Movie Review: One of the Greatest Masterpieces on Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this mini-series in 1984 and remember how breathless I was, waiting for the next episode (Only Reilly - Ace of Spies
and Rumpole of the Bailey had this effect on me.). The film
shows the different approaches between the Norwegians team and the English team to get to the South Pole - the last undiscovered country. Their planning, their failures, their
strategies to survive are deeply emotional experiences. Amundson is the better Arctic explorer and planner...and so he wins. Scott is well intentioned, heroic, but unprepared. He doesn't make it to the Pole but gets lionized by his country as an example of someone willing to die for his country. Thrilling photography and intelligent film-making...it doesn't get any better than this.
Movie Review: Roald Amundsen, the consummate polar explorer, gets his due!
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally, on DVD! This fine and factual treatment of the historic race to the South Pole between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott is the best and most complete to date. Based on the book "The Last Place on Earth" by Roland Huntford, this handsome production gives us a non-biased and realistic look at the history, politics and personalities involved in the struggle for the South Pole. Here at last Roald Amundsen, the consummate polar explorer, gets his due while Scott and the over-rated Ernest Shackleton are placed in proper perspective. This marvelous production features a fine cast, an excellent script, and a magnificent score by Trevor Jones. Not to be missed!Movie Review: One of the best historical dramas!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love historical drama and this is one of the best. I am passionate about this production which I first saw in 1986. In spite of its length, I never tire of it. I've watched it many, many times. I learn and understand new things each time I watch it. It led me to read and study the book and many other books, documentaries and material on the subject. This movie is incredibly accurate, realistic and detailed. It inspires me in many ways. It teaches much about the value of meticulous preparation, the nature of honest leadership and human will.