IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2.5K
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The story of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 expedition and his quest to be the first to reach the South Pole.The story of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 expedition and his quest to be the first to reach the South Pole.The story of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 expedition and his quest to be the first to reach the South Pole.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 nominations total
James McKechnie
- Surgeon Lt. E.L.Atkinson R.N.
- (as James Mc Kechnie)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe hut where Scott and his party stay throughout the winter months before their final push to the South Pole still exists today, and is a tourist attraction for those few who travel down to that part of the world. The intensely cold, dry air has preserved everything almost exactly as it was a century ago.
- GoofsNo one's breath is ever visible in the Antarctic.
- Quotes
Capt. L.E.G. Oates: I'm just going outside; I may be away some time.
[as he leaves tent for certain death]
- Crazy creditsRalph Vaughan Williams, then revered as Britain's greatest living composer, has an official credit consisting only of his surname, 'Vaughan Williams'.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Antarctica (1991)
- SoundtracksWill Ye No Come Back Again?
(uncredited)
Traditional Scottish tune, and lyrics by Lady Carolina Nairne (as Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne)
Heard as the ship leaves New Zealand
Featured review
There is a general feeling, already noted here, that this film whitewashes Scott and turns him into a heroic figure. This is not surprising when you consider that when it was being made survivors of the expedition and relatives of those who died (particularly Kathleen Scott) were still alive.
Nevertheless, the film does raise some questions about Scott's leadership and judgement: his desperation to be first at the Pole with inadequate planning and resources; his last-minute decision to take a fifth man to the Pole when supplies had been calculated for a four-man team; the fact that none of these questionable decisions are challenged by subordinates bound by Royal Navy discipline.
The scenes at the Pole are particularly telling. When the British reach the Norwegian camp it is Wilson who enters their tent, while Scott tells Bowers to "check the position". Wilson's look of disgust emphasises Scott's refusal to face hard reality at a critical moment.
So, yes, this is the story of a "national hero", but watch it with care and it is far from uncritical.
Nevertheless, the film does raise some questions about Scott's leadership and judgement: his desperation to be first at the Pole with inadequate planning and resources; his last-minute decision to take a fifth man to the Pole when supplies had been calculated for a four-man team; the fact that none of these questionable decisions are challenged by subordinates bound by Royal Navy discipline.
The scenes at the Pole are particularly telling. When the British reach the Norwegian camp it is Wilson who enters their tent, while Scott tells Bowers to "check the position". Wilson's look of disgust emphasises Scott's refusal to face hard reality at a critical moment.
So, yes, this is the story of a "national hero", but watch it with care and it is far from uncritical.
- vaughan.birbeck
- Aug 2, 2000
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- £2,370,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Scott of the Antarctic (1948) officially released in India in English?
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