Rent Scott of the Antarctic (1948)

3.8 of 5 from 87 ratings
1h 45min
Rent Scott of the Antarctic Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
Ealing Studios' output from the 1940s and 1950s helped define what was arguably the golden age for British cinema. It fostered great directors such as Alexander Mackendrick and Robert Hamer, while giving stars such as Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers the chance to shine. John Mills stars as Captain Robert Scott in this film of the explorer's ill-fated expedition to be the first man to discover the South Pole.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , Edward Lisak, , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Michael Balcon
Writers:
Walter Meade, Ivor Montagu, Mary Hayley Bell
Studio:
Optimum
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Classics, Documentary, Drama
Collections:
A Brief History of Ships in Film: From Sailing to , Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: John Mills, Getting to Know: Kenneth More, New Waves in Norwegian Cinema, A Brief History of Film..., Top 10 Camping Films, Top 10 Films By Year, Top 10 Films of 1948, Top 10 Winter and Snow Films, Top Films, What to watch by country
BBFC:
Release Date:
08/09/2003
Run Time:
105 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
None
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Interactive menus
  • Scene selection
BBFC:
Release Date:
06/06/2016
Run Time:
110 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Interview with Sir Ranulph Fiennes
  • Interview with Sir Andrew Davis
  • John Mills Home Movie Footage
  • Featurette on Jack Cardiff's Cinematography
  • Restoring 'Scott of the Antarctic'
  • Stills Gallery

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Reviews (2) of Scott of the Antarctic

Topnotch British Historical Adventure - Scott of the Antarctic review by GI

Spoiler Alert
09/04/2021

The story of the ill fated 1912 expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott to reach the South Pole first. The film is a tale of heroism and has a touch of the Boys Own Adventure about it although it eventually becomes a harrowing depiction of survival in a harsh land. Antarctica is depicted as an alien landscape, harsh and unforgiving and whilst, being British made, it's a story to highlight British pluck it also strongly hints at Scott's folly and mistakes. John Mills is perfect casting as the courageous Scott and the film cleverly looks at Edwardian society for the first third of the film. Once the expedition gets fully underway the struggle with the unprecedented freak weather and the gradual decline of the team makes for a compulsive film experience. Ther cinematography in the Antarctic scenes is phenomenal and these allow you to forgive the obvious matte painting scenery in the English scenes. But for its time this is a gritty story, with a very early use of a profanity uttered by James Robertson Justice as Evans and it's a riveting film and a quite wonderful adventure story that as a seriously sad ending. This is an example of just how good British cinema was in its heyday.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

Handsome Biopic. - Scott of the Antarctic review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
16/04/2023

Documentary style dramatisation of Robert Scott's quest to be first to the South Pole in 1912, which ultimately proved to be unsuccessful and tragic, with the final group of four men dying 11 miles from return camp. The realist approach accentuates the small details of the expedition, and draws on Scott's diary for the narration.

The use of Technicolor though makes the film look more artistic, and the location footage seem artificial. And the inscrutable facades of the actors and their brittle, cheerful received pronunciation makes the characters difficult to get to know. It's a lot of posh blokes going to the pole, and can at times feel like a Monty Python sketch.

Even their wives are impassively stoic. There is no rewrite of mythology. The men are heroic and uncomplaining. Team spirit is invincible. Every heart is devoted to god and empire. This is a film of surfaces and reportage. John Mills is perfectly cast as Scott, but a cypher. Most of the emotion is imparted by Vaughan Williams' heart pumping score.

Still, it's an exciting portrayal of a brave and ambitious misadventure. As the men grow tired, mistakes are punished and luck runs out. Scott and his companions were beaten to the pole by Norwegian expertise, but their journey- and this film- is a monument to human endurance, and obsessive, imperious ambition.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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