Shackleton (2002): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

This two-part drama begins in London in 1914. The epic adventure begins with the explorer attempting to raise funds for his expedition on the eve of the First World War - as well as ...

[GERMAN] Here lies the magnetic pole,

and here is the new land discovered

on our way back north. Thanks.

Here, a little Adelie-penguin,

visiting a dog. Thanks.

And here, two emperor penguins

at the same occupation.

Thanks.

Only an Englishman could be so proud
of his failure [in german: Versagen].

They wanted to reach the South Pole and...

Franks...



What does 'Versagen' mean?

Failure. He's saying...

I know what he's saying.

Thank you for your question.

You are right, sir. We failed,
we failed to reach the South Pole.

I turned back. I chose life
over death for myself and my friends

and that's why I am here tonight.

But others follow,
Captain Scott taking our route,

Amundsen from the Bay of Whales.
And if they fail I will try again.

I believe it is in our nature to explore,

to reach out into the unknown.

The only true failure

would be not to explore at all.

Danke, mein Herr. Franks.



Your German sounded almost perfect
tonight.

Really?

I think they just don't want
to be lectured by an Englishman.

The manager says the Daily Chronicle
have telephoned three times this evening.

They're on the line now.

Yes.

Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Yes?

I see. What date, exactly?

And Scott, where is he?

It is truly extraordinary news

and I would offer him my heartiest
congratulations. Yes, quote me.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Amundsen is back in Tasmania.

< He says he reached the South Pole
on December 14th last year.

Looks like
my career as a lecturer is over.

What about Scott?

No sign of him.

# No-one cares for me

# Not a friend in all the world have I

# None to soothe my fears,
none to dry my tears

# All alone in sorrow I must die

What's all that noise?

Oh, something Mike made us sing
in Ireland when we were children.

A Temperance song if you can believe it.

Frank's here. I'll deal with it.

Ah, here's my boy!

Your aunts have come to pay you a visit.

They're a terrifying gang and you
should never listen to a word they say!

I suppose I must get used to
creeping around like a criminal.

I'm glad you came.

I couldn't face everybody...
not all at once.

I've had enough lectures
to last a lifetime.

You did the best you could.

You were unlucky. It's only money.

It's never been one of our strengths.

My solicitor says I must prepare
for a prison sentence.

How?
Walking round in circles practice?

I could find you a pair of
striped pyjamas, make you porridge!

Come on in. It's just us.

Mikey, I hope all this
won't hurt you. Your plans, I mean.

What plans? What can I do?

The fashion at the moment
is for dead explorers. Come on.

My next expedition is to the seaside.

You promised.
You said you'd never go back.

Things have changed.

I can't lecture any more.

I'm just one more explorer
who failed to reach the Pole

but inconveniently happens to be alive.

Don't say that!
What about your cigarette company?

You were going to concentrate on that.

I'm not much of a salesman.

Please can we go paddling, Mama?

No, darling.

You can do anything
when you believe in it.

That's why I need to go back.

Please, Mama.

No, darling.

Children, listen to your mother.
She knows best.

One more trip, that's all. I'd be
too old to go again after that.

I'll stay at home,
never take my slippers off,

you can nail them to my feet.
I promise!

Oh, my goodness! I'm soaking wet!

Who put all this water here?
Children! Help me!

I'll be in London for a few days,
to find out if it's possible.

Good afternoon, madam.

Just business meetings. Very boring.
Nothing will be definite.

Shackleton.
I reserved a table for three. >

Yes, sir. Mrs Chetwynd.
Sir Ernest has already arrived.

That was definitely a funny look.

Darling, they don't go in for
funny looks. That's why I come here.

Good God, half London
is in uniform these days.

They can't possibly all be real.

There's a costumier somewhere
making a fortune.

How's school?

I did my recitation.
Miss Rorke was pleased.

Who were you?

Portia.

Oh, very stern. What's this?

Give that back.

Oh, my brother's
interested in modern art.

Can I have it back, please?

What on earth is it?

Either an elephant with an arrow
through its head or the South Pole.

Let me see.

Can we order? Thank you.

You said you'd never go back.

Don't worry. No-one will let me.
Can I have my menu, please?

You said you didn't want to go back.

I know what I said.

The race to the Pole is over.
This is more important.

The public likes a race and
the Chronicle likes what they like.

The public will like this,
a crossing of the entire continent,

the longest
Antarctic or Arctic journey ever.

I prefer a race. Thank you, Helen.

It's expensive.
How much do you need?

To equip the whole expedition? Erm...

about £60,000.

You want to make a public appeal?

No, I tried that. The accounting
is complicated. I need investors.

I may know people who might be interested
in moving picture rights. Sit down.

I may be interested. If there's
a war, newsreel will be important.

What about your brother?

The timing's bad. The trial will be
over soon. It's a matter of £1,000.

Do you know a Frank Hird?

I've met him.

He's saying your brother stole £60,000

from his father, Lord Ronald Gower.

He says you introduced them
and knew about it.

Hird's mad. I put the matter
in the hands of my solicitors

and he withdrew his allegations.

So it's not true?

That I was involved? Absolutely not.

Ladies and gentlemen,
it is my hope and my intention >

to make this journey to the Pole
and the mysteries beyond, >

crossing the entire Antarctic
continent from one side to the other.

Close your eyes for a moment, please.

Imagine Antarctica. Let your mind
wander across a frozen sea,

waves twisted into fantastical shapes,

icebergs like fairy castles,

shimmering in pearly shades
of cobalt blue and rose.

And silence. Utter, absolute.

Broken only by the thundercrack
of splitting ice.

The last page of that great atlas

drawn by the explorers of the
ancient world lies open before us.

And what shall we call it, this
new land we have just discovered?

We'll call it Archibald Dexter's Land.

Mr Frank Wild, thank you.

I give you Archibald Dexter's Land.

And that heavenly peak that
has just appeared out of the mist?

Mount Jack Morgan?

Exactly, Mr Morgan.
Mount Jack Morgan.

# The Red White & Blue

Well, he's convinced
there's gonna be a war.

Yes, he told me.

I suppose the band was your idea.

Guilty.

Well?

Well, what?

How did you do?

One invitation to the races.

And a request from Mr Morgan's office
to keep in touch with developments.

So zero, nought, nothing.

So what's next?

I don't know.

Rent an office and get started,
I suppose.

Excuse me.

What is it?

I've come about the job.
Sorry I'm early.

How'd you know who I was?

I've seen your picture, sir.

Come on. Open the door, then.

What's your name?

Sparks, sir. Marcie Sparks.

Take these, then. How do you
spell apostrophe, Marcie?

Sir?

Apostrophe. How do you spell it?

A-P-O-S-T-R-O-P-H-E.

What do you think, Frankie?

No idea, Boss.

Me neither, but it sounds convincing.
That's half the battle.

Yes, I'll take this one, Frank.

Frank Wild, most experienced
Antarctic man you'll ever meet.

Tom Crean, who was with Capt Scott
but we won't hold it against him.

How d'you do.

Pleased to meet you.

Let's see what you're made of.

"To the editor of The Times."

"Sir, It has been an open secret
that I have been desirous

of leading another expedition
to the South Polar Regions."

Tom, pop down and put a note on
the door that the position is filled.

"I announce
an expedition will start next year."

"I have called it
the Imperial Trans-Antarctic..."

Who the bloody hell does he think he is?!

The government's promised him £10,000

Only if he raises the rest first.

Lloyd George is no fool.

Where will Shackleton find £60,000?

He hasn't paid for his last expedition.

Hope he's not expecting it from us.

This is the Royal Geographical, not
Royal Antarctic Exploration, Society.

We have other responsibilities.

Gentlemen, I advise caution. >

If he goes ahead, the newspapers, who are
his friends, will make us look foolish.

I propose that we volunteer
a small donation,

before he asks for a larger one.

Shall we say £1,000?

No, no.

Very well, I shall make it
in two payments of £500

and make it clear we do not expect
him to ask for the second payment.

In writing.

I beg your pardon?

Get it in writing.

So you have some money.

£500 won't keep the expedition
in dog food.

What about this friend
you said was so generous?

Mr Harvey seems to have
changed his mind suddenly.

You have an office
and are advertising for men.

No, I'm not. Well, yes, I am.

We've made a start.

Thank you.

So it is definite?

Nothing is definite.

Goodness me!

There's two more sacks downstairs.
I'm George Marston, official artist.

Putty! You old bastard.

Sometimes known as Putty.

You sold a painting yet?

Yes, I have.

George.

Tom.

Let me take those.

Seems half the country
wants to come with us.

Boss made it sound too damn comfy.

Is he here?

No. He's out on the stump.

My party, having sailed through
the melting ice of the Weddell Sea,

will land here at Vahsel Bay
and there we will make a base

and a smaller party
will march towards the erm...

Scone.

Precisely.

A second group will land
on the other side, the Ross Sea,

and make their way
across the Beardmore Glacier

towards the Pole - I mean scone -
laying food depots as they go

so my party will have supplies...

Bunny, stop that! Get off!

There's a good boy.

Oh, I'm so sorry.
He's got such a sweet tooth.

I'm being funded by the government

and by the Royal Geographical Society
and er... several private sponsors

but there is still
a few thousand pounds to find

before we are completely secure.

It must require great courage

to return to a place
where you've suffered so much.

"What I aspired to be, and was not,

comforts me:

a brute I might have been,
but would not sink I' the scale."

Robert Browning.

A favourite of mine.

Mine, too.

It's not given to all of us
to live a life like yours.

But you have the power to share
your vision and take us with you.

< Thank you. Now I must let you go.
It's a long journey to London.

And you have much to do.

Yes, well, er...
thank you for seeing me.

Perhaps you will give some thought to
the possibility of being a sponsor.

Sir Ernest, my contribution

towards your exciting adventure

is over there on the desk.

Please.

I'm not the sort of woman
to waste a man's time.

Miss Stancomb-Wills,
I don't know how to thank you.

By succeeding, of course.

And perhaps by addressing me
in future as Janet.

Francis Shackleton, this court has heard

how you violated the rules
of commercial morality

in defrauding a lady advanced in years

who believed you were
her financial adviser and friend.

Your own bankruptcy precludes
your ability to repay her. >

But it is the duty of this court >

to make it clear that we cannot
tolerate behaviour of this sort. >

I therefore sentence you
to 15 months' hard labour. >

"What, no more? Pay him
six thousand, and deface the bond."

"Double six thousand
and then treble that,

before a friend of this description

shall lose a hair
through Bassanio's fault."

"First go with me to church
and call me wife,

and then away to Venice, to your friend;

for never shall you lie by
Portia's side with an unquiet soul."

"You shall have gold to pay
the petty debt twenty times over."

What do you think?

I think you should have defended Frank.

Don't patronise me!

I'm not! If you want to be an actress
you will be an actress.

Knowing what you want is the hard part.

Promise?

Promise.

What if all I want
is for you to stay here with me?

"My purse, my person, my extremest means,

lie all unlocked to your occasions."

But only for another half an hour!

Since I read the advertisement
I haven't been able to sleep.

My parents were nervous at first.

But my mother advised me to
lie in a bath filled with ice cubes

to help me make up my mind.

But I was quite sure.

Here's a 53-year-old
Cambridge parasitic biologist.

Does he go in Hopeless cos he's 53

or Mad cos he did parasites at Cambridge

when everyone knows
they all go to Oxford?

Now he's in both.

Erm, do you think...?

Don't worry, Mr Hudson,
he knows you're here.

I know. I just couldn't...

I had to come.
A letter didn't seem enough.

You think this will work?

In theory, yes, sir.
I'm good with machines.

Came up to town on my motorbike
this morning.

The bike that broke down?

Yes, sir. But I had it fixed
in a jiffy.

Of course.

Could you build this?

I don't see why not.

"We three sporty girls have decided

to write and beg of you to take us
with you on your expedition."

I heard that! No! Marcie?

Yes, Boss?

We're off to the Admiralty to
get them to give us Capt Orde-Lees.

Yes, Boss.
You've got Dudley Docker at three.

Yes, I know, Mr Hudson.
You're a navigator.

Excuse me.

Wait here, please.

Keep your mouth shut
and let me do the talking.

Yes, sir.

What was your name again?

Orde-Lees, sir,
Thomas. Nobody calls me Tom.

Ready?

Yes, sir.

Don't look nervous.

No, sir.

Don't worry, I won't be a moment -
a quick question for the First Lord.

You can't go in there! Sir!

I'm off for a game of golf.
Do you play?

No, sir.

Me neither. Thank you Mr, er...

Hudson.

Can I give you a lift?

No, thank you. I'll walk.

Might even dance.

I've 300 applications for navigators.

Yes, sir. But I was wondering...

Hop in. You've got twenty minutes.

My work...
bought me a great deal of money.

That's why you're here, I take it?

Yes, sir.

Play is just as important.

Last year, I took a whole year off.
Bloody marvellous. Ever done that?

No.

You should try it. Damned effective.

I'm taking three months off now.
And six months next year.

I have never felt better.
That's what I look for in a man.

Can't afford to be unhealthy
in your position.

No, quite.

Without good health
you can't produce wealth.

I told the PM I'd have half the
cabinet on the street - poor health.

How can you run a country if you
can't run your own body? See my point?

Yes, I certainly do.

And what does the army say?

My CO was most sympathetic. In fact,
it was his idea that I should apply.

Said I was probably
most suited to Arctic work.

If the regiment was called up
of course I'd have to come back.

But I'd make my own way.
I'm used to that.

I had an introduction to Captain
Scott, whose work I much admired.

That isn't of much use now.
I thought I'd try anyway.

I saw the sign, plainly -
Burlington Street.

The whole bloody street
was packed with ice.

And I sailed straight down it.

I don't normally remember dreams...

Where will the sun set this evening,
Mr, erm...?

Worsley - over there, 6.47.

I got up, came to Burlington Street.
Didn't know what I was looking for.

Imagine what I felt
when I saw your sign downstairs,

Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

What else could I do?
I walked straight up. >

My aim is to teach the expedition
how to prepare simple dishes.

An artist can paint a great painting
with a limited palette.

A great chef with a few ingredients
can create a thousand dishes.

Thank you, Signor Oddenino.

Leave it. It's a still picture.
Doesn't matter if it's going or not.

Yes, sir.

Join the line.

Ladder. Thank you, Skipper.

Thank you, gentlemen.

There's a suspicion that these machines,
though useless in scientific exploring,

have a great effect on the public.

My lord, I cannot ignore the public.

Is that not an admission of my point?

I'd say statement, not admission.

What weight do you carry
in your aeroplanes?

It is not an aeroplane. It is
a sledge with an aeroplane propeller.

I see.

Are you taking an expert in dog driving?

Yes, one. Dogs follow the leading team so
only one expert is required on this ground.

It is the nature of the ground
that is the great uncertainty.

You might come across a mountain range.

Possibly.

And it would be scientifically much
more interesting to explore that,

than your journey straight across.

The journey across
is the thing I have set myself to do.

No single individual in the Empire

would not wish the first flag
across the Antarctic to be British.

Save your speeches for the papers!

We're here to discuss
the advancement of knowledge.

Then we share a common purpose.

Sir Ernest, as scientists, it is
inevitable we put science first.

I embrace that. But grateful as I am
for the contribution of this Society

you must accept that scientists
do not pay for science.

I make no apology for seeking publicity. Without
the newsmen's support, there is no public,

therefore no sponsors, no expedition.

Believe me,
I wish there were an easier way.

Camera... fan... snow...
and action! >

The snow's not very realistic.
It should come up from below more.

Well, when I get a moment I'll tell him.

Let's leave them to it, shall we?

Just think of the money. Anyway,
I want to show you something.

I found a ship.

Where?

Norway. Built by De Gourlache
for tourists.

I'll get a good price.

How much?

You worry too much. She's called
Polaris. We'll find a better name.

What's this?

A moving picture, Home Of The
Blizzard. Made a fortune in Sydney.

Shot by a chap called Hurley.
Frank Hurley.

Nothing new about moving pictures.

This man's different.
Makes you feel you're right there

on the snow with 'em.
Look. Penguins.

Public just love 'em. That's what we
need in our film. Lots of penguins.

If we get Hurley, our film company
could raise another £10,000.

We may be able to pay for that ship
of yours, whatever you call her.

Endurance is what we'll call her.

From my family motto.

What's your motto?

"By endurance we conquer."

< If you don't want it, leave it.

Oh, for God's sake go to your room
if you've finished!

If you've finished too, run along.

May I have some more potatoes?

< Later, darling. Run along.

None of us see very much of you now.
It's important to us.

Sorry. I've got two sponsors
wanting their money back

because they're terrified there'll
be a war. The Norwegians want paying.

If I don't leave London this month
I won't get to Antarctica this year.

So you're going to Scotland.

Yes, to see Sir James Caird.

"Och, times are hard wi' the war
coming but is 10 shilling any help?"

"And would you mind telling me
if there's any change?" Sorry.

Children, it's your father speaking.
I am on my knees. I am so sorry.

Anyone want to come down the street
for tuppence-worth of ice cream?

Princes Street.

Sir James will see you now.

< The Austrians are convinced

the assassination of their archduke
was financed by the Serbs.

< If they declare war,
Germany will follow.

< And France and Russia
will be close behind.

Much as he may wish to temporise,

the Prime Minister
will have to support his allies.

Sir James, I know my duty
if war is declared.

No, no. I meant you have little time

to succeed in your plans.

You must leave next month

to reach the Antarctic this season.

The Endurance is ready to sail.

Once she has been paid for.

Dudley Docker, chairman of BSA,

has donated the funds to cover that.

Of course, but if Docker's money
pays for the ship,

what will you use to provision her?

I will soon have sufficient.

I see.

Swallows. Pretty, aren't they?

Free as a bird,
that's what they say. I envy that.

Who's to say
they do not look down and envy us?

I've examined Lord Iveagh's copy
of your projected accounts.

I calculate the shortfall
is £24,000. Is that fair?

Yes.

You've mortgaged the moving picture
rights to a film company

and the story rights
to the Daily Chronicle. >

So you have nearly half
your expenses yet to find

and nothing left to sell. >

I am a prudent man and cannot
risk my money on an expedition

that may never take place.

What about your family?
How will they survive

when you've used every resource
of the expedition

< to finance its existence?

My family understand
the expedition must come first.

And if you fail?

I will not fail!

You think the threat of war
makes it hard to raise money?

It makes no bloody difference.
If it's not a war it's a peace,

or the stock market or the weather
or the time of year.

What I do appears unreasonable
to other men.

But I will be in Antarctica
this year, I promise.

I'm sorry. Thank you for your time.

No, sit down, please.

< Please.

I asked you to come here
because I had to make a decision.

After this conversation, I realise
there is only one option open to me

if I am to protect myself and my money.

< This is a cheque for £24,000.

< If I were to give you less,
the expedition might never happen.

And my money would be wasted.
I do not like waste.

I particularly do not like
to see a man's abilities wasted.

< There is only one condition.

Try to persuade your other contributors

to return to you
some of the expedition's rights.

I believe a man should be rewarded
for his efforts.

Lady Shackleton?

Yes?

Sorry it's late. I'm Harvard. This
is Mr Granger. Is your husband in?

He's in Scotland. Thank you, Becky.

I have a magistrate's summons

in connection with the repayment
of £1,000 owed to Miss Mary Brown.

Due to your husband's imminent departure the
court has authorised an emergency hearing.

Mobilisation is expected any day.

Dobbs and Brocklehurst
have joined their regiments.

Orde-Lees and Hudson are consulting
the admiralty. I may be called up.

If it happens, Captain!

< Take the ship to Margate
and if war is not declared,

sail for South America. Understood?

< Yes, sir.

Sir?

Not now, Marcie.

Marcie! >

Shut the door.
Don't let anybody else in.

Are you all right, sir?

Yes, I'm all right.

Just a touch of sciatica.
I get it sometimes.

Could you pour me a glass of water,
please?

If it's in connection with
the expedition, we're pretty full.

Well, maybe not then.

Those men?

They say they're here to...

Yes, I know. Tell Captain Worsley
to go back to the ship.

I'll meet him there later.
Get me a chequebook.

If I pay them, they will go away.

I haven't time to deal with it now.

Yes, sir.

Marcie?

There's no need
to say anything about this.

The sciatica.

That's right.

Yes?

The men are in the wardroom, Boss.

Thank you, Frank. Any news?

A rumour the Navy's been mobilised.

At ease, men.

First, let me say that if war is declared

any man who wishes to leave to serve
his country will be free to do so.

It is clear where our duty lies. >

Today I telegraphed the First Lord

and put us and our ship at his
disposal. We now await his decision.>

I hope you will forgive me.

I asked that if he saw fit to employ
us in the service of our country

he might allow us to stay together,
perhaps aboard a destroyer.

I can honestly think of no finer group
of men with whom to serve. Thank you.

Three cheers for the Boss. Hip-hip!

Hooray!

Hip-hip, hooray! Hip-hip, hooray!

Yes!

Still nothing? >

Hudson's at the telegraph office.

He'll stay there
till something comes through.

They'll tell us to wait, I know it.

We wait, we'll lose the ice. It'll
be a year before we can go again.

It'll be too late.
There'll be a war.

I like the idea of us
serving together on a destroyer.

Do you really think
they'd let us stay together?

Where's the Boss?

It's from Winston Churchill. >

There's only one word.

"Proceed."

We can take that as a direct order
from the admiralty, gentlemen.

Yes, sir.

Skipper?

Yes, sir.

Let's get on with it.

I must go to London
to make final arrangements.

I'll meet you in Buenos Aires.

His Majesty was pleased to read that
the Endurance had sailed yesterday.

When will you leave?

Next month.
I have business to settle first.

This will only be a brief meeting,
I'm afraid.

Of course. I understand.

Sir Ernest.

Your Majesty.

I promised you a flag.

I had hoped to present it on board,
see your ship and all that.

But they cancelled Cowes

because of all this fuss
the Austrians are making.

Pity, really.

Does the heart good, don't you think?

Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra,
tells me you have a fine ship.

What do you call her?

Endurance.

She sailed for South America
yesterday. I telegraphed Mr Churchill

I know, I know.

We all face a hard road, Sir Ernest.

But who is to say which of us
should envy the other?

So there is no hope?

The Prime Minister informs me that
we will be at war by the morning.

< Possibly even tonight.

It is a terrible thing

to be responsible
for the lives of so many.

Terrible.

Yes, sir.

My great, great, great,
great-grandfather, George II,

was the last king
to lead his army in battle.

170 years ago. Dettingen.

Against the bloody French.

< No such luck for me, though.

When do you leave?

September 19th
on the La Negra with the dogs.

Dogs? You're taking dogs?

Yes, Your Majesty.

How many?

Sixty-nine, sir, from Canada.

Marvellous.

That's marvellous.

Dogs. Imagine that.

< They must be a comfort to you.

Yes, sir.

Well, here it is.

The flag.

Make sure you bring it back.

I will, sir. Thank you.

Sir Ernest?

Do you feel fear when you embark
on an adventure such as this?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes, of course.

Godspeed.

I'm coming with you!

I know you want to, but I need you
to look after your mother.

Let's wave goodbye to Daddy.

Keep those two apart.

Everything's ready?

They're all on board, Boss.

Where's the dog handler?

Lost him.

What do you mean?

Buggered off back to Canada.

A lad from the dogs' home
will come to Buenos Aires.

You've a visitor. McIlroy's with her

They look more like wolves.

They probably are.
Let's hope they don't get ill.

He was useless, anyway. The dog man.

What are you doing here?

To see you off.
Dr McIlroy's been taking care of me.

I'll see if Frank needs a hand.

I shouldn't have come.

Don't worry about him.

I'm not worrying about him -
I'm worried about you.

Frank. That's Lady Chetwynd.

Yes, indeed.

Boss isn't too pleased.

How does Emily cope? Is she used to
it? Does she make a fool of herself?

Emily isn't like that.

Isn't she?

Wait here, please.

Oh, God, I meant to play this
gracefully. And look at me!

Boss!

Yes?

Emily!

What are you doing here?

I'm sorry. It was just someone...

< I know who she is.

Your father telephoned after you left.

Frank is being released on Wednesday

and I thought you'd want to know.

Yes.

I must go and see them aboard ship

but I won't sail.
I'll take a ship next week.

I'll be back tomorrow.

I love you.

Eleanor!

Why are you doing?
There might be newspapermen.

There was no announcement.
What are you wearing?

I joined the Nursing Reserve.

I go to France next week.

Next week!

There'll be a war, Mikey.

Had to do something.

Not yet.

Look.

You stay here.
You're the conspicuous one.

Papers said you'd sailed.

I had some things to finish
and I... wanted to see you.

Well, I've been quite a celebrity
these past weeks,

what with all the noise
you've been making.

I even discussed your intentions
with the governor.

He'll be very sad to have missed you.

I'm sorry. I was never
as good as you at looking brave.

I've had a very horrible time,
with nobody to help me!

You're safe now.

No. No, thank you.

I didn't have to choose this life.

I know.

I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.

What can you say?

You're leaving both of us.
There's nothing we can do about it.

Just seems so horrible
that she had to have all the tears.

Let me write to you when
I'm on board. I'll be clearer then.

Anything I say now won't be what I mean.

What do you call her?

What do you call her?

Er... Who?

Her nickname.

Mouse.

Everybody has a bloody nickname with you!

Everybody except me.

One of your men asked me what mine was.

I had to say that I didn't have one.

And he asked what would I choose.

I said Arny.

Isn't that pathetic?

I love you.

I couldn't go on without you.
That is the truth.

But I don't know what to do. >

You have to go. I know you do.

If you didn't, who would you be?

I've sent the servants on errands.

Although they were surprised

by my urgent need
for butterscotch and string!

How's the tea? I made it myself.

Thank you.

Have you spoken to the military?

I saw Kitchener yesterday.

He said I'm too old and it was
impossible to give me a job now.

So where's the argument?

Are you worried about your family?

I seem to be worried about everything.

Well, don't be!

I may be of little use
to you and your men in the Antarctic

but I can be of help here.

I'll see your family is safe.

I'll make it my business.

Nicely. I can be nice!

A rich old lady gets used to
people not telling her the truth.

Flattering her, perhaps.

But you've never done that.

You've always paid me the compliment
of speaking from your heart.

Allow me to do the same.

Go to the Pole.

< Go before it's too late.

< Not everyone is fortunate enough
to understand their own talent.

< But you know yours.

< Use it.

< For your family and for your country.

Wait here, mate. I'll go aboard
and get help with those boxes.

Can I help you?

Is this the Endurance?

It is. >

Hurley. Photographer and film maker.

Mcllroy. Surgeon and night watchman.
Welcome aboard.

Where is everybody?

Shore leave. They'll be back later.

We've had a chaotic time getting
here. Ship handles like a pig,

we used up our coal, ended up
hacking the deck to bits.

Some of the crew went wild.

Yeah, so I see. Where's Sir Ernest?

Arriving tonight. On the Uruguayo.
You got any bags?

A few, yes.

Hm. I'll give you a hand.

I'll have your luggage sent up
straightaway.

Welcome to Buenos Aires.
Tunelli has arranged a suite.

Thank you.
How long have you been here, Frank?

Five days.

Worsley's been here two weeks.
Had trouble on the voyage.

I ran into Orde-Lees at the docks.
He says there's too much alcohol.

The skipper's style was a little
informal. The crew call him Wuzzles.

What?!

Wuzzles.

The ship was a mess.
They were burning the dog kennels.

Don't worry. Ship's carpenter,
McNish, has it in hand.

What about the rest of them?

One or two are a bit undisciplined.

I can't do anything now. Tell Wuzzles I
want an inspection at 08.00 tomorrow.

Yes.

We got here, anyway.

Yes, Boss.

"Coming Aboard"

Captain, is everybody present?

No, sir, we're missing
Able Seamen Irving and Barr.

Where are they?

We've looked since Wednesday.
There's some confusion about leave.

Dismiss them!

I think it's quite genuine...

Pay them off, Captain!

Our lives, all our lives,
depend on each other.

There can be no-one on this ship
who does not understand that.

What was that?

Ship's cat, sir. Mrs Chippy.

Mrs who?!

Mrs Chippy, sir. She's mine.

McNish. Ship's carpenter.

Well, Mr Chippy,
keep Mrs Chippy out of the way

when the dogs come on board.
Anybody else not present?

Well, sir, the cook is below.
But I'm afraid he's inebr...

Frank? Get him off this ship.
Find him a room somewhere.

We'll send his kit on later.

Right, sir. Come on! Let's go!

That's it. There we go.

So, who wants to make breakfast?

I can manage to brew up some coffee.

And you are?

Frank Hurley. I arrived last night.

Mr Hurley. A prince among men,
they tell me.

Ernest Shackleton, two sugars, no milk.

I'll give you a hand, Your Highness!

I won't dwell on the voyage's events.

Well, sir, we had...

I don't need an explanation!

Nor do I wish any confusion
about how the ship is run.

For the voyage to Vahsel Bay
I will assume the post of captain

and you be sailing master. I will
continue to address you as Skipper.

You will resume the captaincy only
when I have gone ashore. Understood?

Yes, sir.

Yes?

Room service.

Ah, Mr Hurley. Thank you.

It smells delicious. >

Was there something else?

Well, is now a good time
to discuss my contract?

It'll be the same as the Mawson
expedition. £300pa paid in arrears.

And 25% of the picture rights.

I'm afraid not. They're already sold
to the Daily Chronicle.

Sir, I was told 25%.

Or I wouldn't have come.

I can't help you. The deal's done.
This is excellent coffee.

That deal was done without me.

And without you we would not be here.
I am again in your debt.

I am afraid, sir, it appears
that I am the one who is in debt.

You must be strong. Show them who's
boss. Where do I find another cook?

What's going on?

I'm leaving.

Leaving? Why?

The prince has been
refused his ransom by the king!

He's lucky the king didn't ask him
to pay the ransom himself.

What do you mean?

He asked me for a loan. There's
a problem paying for supplies

and I have a bank arrangement here.

Jesus!

She's a beauty.

From London, too.

Fancy giving it a go?

Excuse me, sir?

Yes?

You looking for crew? We served
on the Golden Gate. Rang aground.

You're a bloody Yank.

No, I'm from Canada.
Loyal subject of the Empire!

Well, come aboard and meet the Boss.

Thank you, sir.

Not you, son.

- I'm from Wales and I'm loyal, too.
- No children where we're going.

Frank, meet Charles Green, our chef.

Have a word with the Andes
where he's employed.

This is Mr, um...

Bakewell. From Canada.

< Excuse me a moment, will you?
Mr Hurley!

Sorry, sir, but I have no alternative.

Give me your hand, Mr Hurley.
25%, wasn't it?

Yes, sir. That's right.

That's settled, then. I hope
you brought your dinner jacket.

Sir?

Farewell dinner with the Argentine
government tonight. Mr Bakewell!

I'll take them.
I think I know the drill by now.

Thanks.

The English have such an affinity with
animals that it's part of the character...

There merest face is...

Mossman's theory is
that the heavy rainfall here

is a direct consequence of ice
not melting in the Weddell Sea...

Gentlemen, may I
on behalf of my government,

wish you every success on your voyage

and present you with a small token?

< A radio receiver which will
allow you to receive our time signal

< on the first day of every month.

Senor Ornelli, if you please.

Sir Ernest, gentlemen, I have
one more guest to present to you.

As you see,
he's dressed for the occasion.

Get the bloody animal off the table.

She's doin' no harm.

Don't care. I'm eatin'!

Nae need to frighten her.

He said we'd spend the winter
at Vahsel Bay. >

We were told we'd deliver them then
return to Buenos Aires till next summer.

He thinks if he lets us go
naebody'll come back and find him.

Are we all here? Where's Hudson?

Kidnapped, sir, by a group of ladies.

< Promised to be back by morning.

Gentlemen, may I read
a message I've sent to the Chronicle?

"We are leaving now
to carry on our white warfare

and our last message to our country

is we will do our best to make good."

"Though we shall be shut off
from the outer world for many months,

our thoughts and prayers will be
with our countrymen at the Front."

"We hope in our small way to add
victories in science and discovery

to that certain victory
which our nation shall achieve

in the cause of honour and liberty."

"Buenos Aires, October 26th, 1914."

Let the toast be

to victory.

To victory.

We got a brief signal when we left
port - since then, nothing.

We need to get the antenna higher.

The mainmast'll be best.

I'll get someone to give you a hand.

I should be able to manage.

Take Tom - he's the best man aloft
I've ever seen.

This place is a shambles.
These floors need a scrub.

Shall we get out of the way, sir?

No. You three can scrub it!

The lower deck will issue
brushes and buckets.

Dr Macklin, draw up a roster.

Yes, Boss.

Was he making a joke?

Don't think so.

Bloody hell!

The Germans will surrender
before Christmas.

No winter uniforms, apparently.

Pity, really. I was hoping
for a chance to have a go.

I don't know about Christmas, but
it'll be over before we get back.

Less skin, more potatoes, gentlemen.

Or we'll run out of vegetables
before South Georgia.

Aye-aye, sir!

How do you get housemaid's knee?

By being a housemaid.

Precisely! I think I've got it.

You're all right, Boss,
just pretend I'm not here.

Jesus!

It's a bloke.

What sort of a bloke?

Dunno, sir. But a big 'un.
In t' rope locker.

Right. Let's have a look.

What's up?

Holness thinks he's seen a ghost.

COME OUT OF THERE,
WHOEVER THE BLOODY HELL YOU ARE!

Just coming. >

Sorry, sir. I didn't mean
to cause a disturbance.

Who the bloody hell are you?!

Perce Blackborow, sir.
Able Seaman. I got my papers.

I'm from Wales.

You amaze me.

Who helped you on board?

Nobody, sir.

WHO HELPED HIM?

I did, sir.

Not his fault, sir. It was my idea.

Quiet! I'm coming to you.
How old are you?

Nineteen, sir. Nearly twenty.

Please don't send me back.

Mr Blackborow, have you ever
been to the Antarctic?

No, sir.

Those of us who have, who have seen
men starve, go mad and die

are not so bloody amused!

No, sir. I heard you were two short

so I thought I could help out.

Oh, did you?

Do you know what starvation is,
Mr Blackborow?

< Have you ever watched a man
eat a biscuit and want to kill him

< for just one crumb of it?

< No, sir.

I'm sorry, sir.

We are a man short, Boss.

Are we?

Maybe he'll come in useful.
If we do face starvation,

the stowaway is the first one
we eat, eh, Mr Wild?

< Yes, Boss.

They'd get more meat off you, sir.

Don't push your luck, Blackborow!

Take him to the bosun.
Find something for him to do.

Introduce him to the cook
so he knows what he looks like.

Aye-aye, Boss.

Back to work. That includes you!

Yes, sir.

Try and look respectable, you lot.

Morning, Frank.

Come on, you lot, let's have
some order. Spread out at the back.

Look right into the camera.

That's where the rest of the world
is. Into the lens. Right here.

Think of your wives, sweethearts,
your children, grandchildren.

That's where they are. All in there.

Everybody hold it.

Wait for it.

Thank you, all.

You want one more for safety, Frank?

No, sir, I only need the one chance.

May I present for your pleasure...

Blackborow Pie.

Why's that, chef?

Cos there's steak somewhere
but you must find it!

< You have it!

Shall I take the Boss some, sir?

Don't worry.
Asked not to be disturbed.

Sorry to disturb you. We're
close to South Georgia. It's foggy

but we'll be at Grytviken
in an hour. Are you all right?

Yes, Skipper.

Want one of the doctors to see you?

No! >

Thank you.

You take her in.
I'll be fine in the morning.

Boss.

It feels like a pirate kingdom.

They spend half their life hunting
the greatest creature on the planet

and the other half in this stench.

An extraordinary way to live.

Not for these men -

madmen, criminals, outcasts.

The Calibans of the Pole.

But they know the ice.

Reminds me of Birmingham.

Birmingham smells worse!

Are you enjoying your dinner?

Very good. Yes.

The sausages are our own recipe.

Pork fed exclusively on whale blubber.

Do they enjoy it?

We just drive the pigs
into the belly of the dead whale

and leave them to eat or starve.

Most interesting.

Is it your intention
to land at Vahsel Bay?

Yes, it is.

This is not good. The ice is big
this year. It goes very far north.

We are prepared to force our way.

Endurance was built for ice work.

There is no possibility
to reach the bay yet.

You must wait for warmer weather.

In England we're used to waiting
for warmer weather.

In Norway, also.

The Weddell Sea is hemmed in
on three sides -

the Antarctic continent,
Palmer Peninsula and these islands.

The current is very strong.
It moves like a clock,

forcing ice against the peninsula.

It is packed tight.
It doesn't melt. Even now in summer.

We can get through by Coats Land.

The ice is more open.
We can land at Vahsel Bay.

But it's very bad this year.
The worst we have known.

The ice is solid.

Are you saying it's impossible?

Not impossible. Very difficult.

You must fight your way
through 1,000 miles of ice to land.

Going back to England is impossible.

So we'll settle for very difficult.

The lower deck are offering three
to one we'll be here for Christmas.

I'll keep my money, thanks.

From out there
Grytviken looks almost romantic.

It's just a matter of choosing
the right place to look at it from.

Really? I've a couple of
maiden aunts who'd like to meet you.

"I know full well that I am wanting
in many ways domestically,

that for some time past
we have not seen eye to eye

and the fault lies with me."

"I have committed all sorts of crimes
in thought if not always in action."

"I suppose I am just good
as an explorer and nothing else."

"I love the fight.
And when things go easy I hate it."

"Even though when things are wrong
I get worried."

"I am a bit tired tonight
and just wandering along."

"But now that I am on my own work

I will be more at peace."

# Whisky is the life of man

# Whisky, Johnny,

# Oh, whisky from an old tin can

# Whisky for my Johnny

# Oh, whisky here, whisky there,
whisky, Johnny

# Oh, I get whisky everywhere
Whisky for my Johnny

What are we drinkin', Chef?

I'd say one part vinegar,
two parts meths and ten parts er...

Whale!

I'll drink for your return.

# Whisky here, whisky there...

Our departure, mate. We're goin'.

You are coming back very soon.

Your ship is not good for the ice.
I drink for your return.

I'll drink to that.

The boats in this afternoon
saw some big bergs

which means the Weddell is breaking up.

We still have a chance
for landfall by Christmas.

Good evening. Sorry I'm late.
I'm no good at costumes.

Gentlemen, pray silence.

Our last guest has just arrived.

I'm Buddha, you see. Well, never
mind. Perhaps it doesn't translate.

Thanks to Putty,
he received a special invitation.

Unfortunately, some details...

Such as the time.

And the dress code!

Were slightly inaccurate.

Sorry I'm late. I can never
think of... Oh, my God!

Ha-bloody-ha!

Get him, boys!

Why do yous stay, out here,
in the middle of bloody nowhere?

To get away from up there.

Whale men not fit up there.

People up there not like
queer folk like whale men around.

We not can write poetry,
not can paint pictures, so...

We come here.
No damn use anywhere else.

To those of us
who are no damn use anywhere else!

No damn use anywhere else!

Incredible, isn't she?

Where's your camera?

She'll be gone before I set it up.
The eyes are good enough.

She's worth £5,000, not counting
the carcass or the bones.

In Grytviken they produce 2¼ million
gallons of oil a year. It's a gold mine.

£50,000 invested
could double that in profit.

With a decent manager
you could live like a king.

I think she's beautiful.

You're not a businessman, Frank.

I am. I chose to make my business

outta doing something I love.

That's the idea.

Sometimes there's more bloody
business that you expect.

# Up to the West End,
Right in the best end

# Straight from the country
came Miss Maudie Brown

# Father's a curate
but couldn't endure it

# That's why the lady's residing in town

# Twelve months ago her modest soul
was quite sublime...

Anything?

Nothing. No signal at all.

You want me to take a look up top?

It's not the antenna.

I'm not sure what it is.

Stupid, really.
I've always hated the cold.

We'll be back
at the whaling station in a week.

Won't get through the ice.

You don't know bloody explorers.

He'll no turn back.
He cannae afford to.

Skipper reports pack ice
off the starboard bow. Half a mile.

It can't be this far north.

Slow down, Skipper, in case we hit
a growler. Steer away from the pack.

Hard a' port.

Hard a' port, Bosun.

< HARD A' PORT!

Chippy!

Yes, Boss?

It's getting fresh up here.
Can you do something?

I can make a wind break, sir.

Thanks. It would be a help to have a
way of visually signalling the helm.

Aye-aye, sir.

Thank you.

What's this growler we worry about?

Underwater ice.
Can't see it till you hit it.

Ahh! Charming.

Remarkable, isn't it?

Like looking at the desert
for the first time.

'The pack is more or less
where we expected.'

Where Jacobsen said it would be.

We'll take a southeasterly course
as long as we can but it is loose

and at some point we'll push through
to reach Vahsel Bay before winter.

Those without much helm experience
will find it hard navigating the ice.

We all take an hour at a time.

How far to our landing point?

Navigator?

A thousand miles, sir.

Don't expect much night from now on.

Soon, it will be December 21,
the longest Antarctic day.

The sun will be up 24 hours a day. Do not
let this affect your sleep. You'll need it.

Look - seals!

< Beautiful.

Aren't they?

Doughballs!

Yes, sir?

Ever cooked seal?

Oil, butter, dried parsley,
lots of fresh-ground pepper.

Break out the pepper!

'Scuse me, boys.

Why have we stopped the engines?

Frankie's bagged a seal.

He's going across the floe after it.

We might as well let everybody off.

The exercise might do us all good.

Offside! Offside.

Offside. Offside.

Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?

Don't be hard on him, ref,
he can't help bein' a foreigner!

My ball, I think. >

Free kick to the shore party.

Skipper?

Take a shot, Wuzzles.

Yes, Boss.

Oh!

You all right, Boss?

Yes. I'm all right, Colonel. Play on.

# It's a long way to Tipperary

# It's a long way to go

# It's a long way to Tipperary

# To the sweetest girl I know

They love it.
Let's try something else.

How about Scotland The Brave?

# Doh doh, da-da-da dah-dah...

Hard a' starboard!

Hard a' starboard.

↑ Midships.

< Midships.

< Port easy.

< Hard a' port!

< Hard a' port.

Make yer bloody mind up!

Hard a' port!

< Hard a' port.

Full speed ahead.

Easy, Skipper.

Come off.

What's all the fuss about? >

The Colonel's doing a job of work!

I don't believe it!

That's medically impossible!

Hah-bloody-hah!

Could be a mass delusion.

If you won't help, then bugger off!

Don't worry.
We've got a ship to run.

Come on, out of it! OUT!

Are you all right?

It's incredible.

So we didn't make landfall by Christmas.

No, sir. Damned ice.

We'll serve grog at midnight
to those on watch.

Yes, Boss.

Damned ice.

Happy Christmas.

What time is it?

Midnight.

Happy Christmas, sir.

Happy Christmas.

# I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

# I saw three ships come sailing
in On Christmas Day in the morning

# And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas day

# And what was in those ships all
three On Christmas Day in the morning #

"To our skipper must go the best present
of all But what to give was a puzzle

Until I remembered that because he's in
charge, it's a policeman's whistle for Wuzzle!"

Boss! Come on, Boss!

Um... Oh. Er... "To the Boss
who has guided us all from afar

Though sometimes by map
and sometimes by star

There is only one gift
as I know how you are

So here for your pleasure
a big fat cigar." Thank you!

# God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay

# For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas Day

# To save us all from Satan's power
When we had gone astray

# Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

# Comfort and joy

# Oh, tidings of comfort and joy #

# The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown

# Of all the trees
that are in the wood...

From your family?

Yes.

I'm fine, Boss.

You go and join the others.

I know.

I'm fine, too.

Just needed a little air.

Such a beautiful day.

You notice anything?

What do you mean?

Temperature's rising.

We'll get there, you know.

I know.

Less than 500 miles. We're half-way.

Skipper reckons we'll be
inside the Antarctic Circle tomorrow.

I know.

You don't by any chance have a light?

No.

Come on, then, let's go and find one.

We've covered 900 miles
since South Georgia, 400 last week.

We'll reach Vahsel Bay
by the end of the week.

Boss, Skipper wants you.
He's sighted land.

We're beyond Coats Land.

This is further
than any ship has ever been.

Our first discovery.

We'll call it James Caird Land.
Keep the old bugger happy.

Look to the right.

There's a bay. Looks sheltered.

We could put stores ashore there.

No. Not yet. It'll put an extra
200 miles on the sledging journey.

There's a spur coming

that'll force us off the coast.

Temperature's good. We've got
another month of summer to go

and clear water ahead.
Let's not give up now.

Aye-aye, Boss.

Keep her steady, Tom.

They're pullin' away. Cap wants us
to go with 'em. Just one more shot.

Skipper?

I know, he wants one more shot.
Hold your speed, Tom.

Leave it, old man, we're working.

Listen!

< What is it?

It's like porridge.

She's holding her speed. It's slush.

Is it me or is it getting colder?

I'm on full power but we're only
making three knots. It's using coal.

What can they see off top?

Lookout says no clear water.
That low cloud could mean a channel.

Hold your course.

Aye-aye, Boss.

Tom, get those gentlemen to bag coal.
We need to be ready for landing.

Include the colonel.

It'd be a pleasure, Boss.
Mr Orde-Lees!

Yes?

The Boss has a job for you at last!

Is it my imagination or are we
getting further away from land?

There are growlers ahead.

The ice is against us. My money says
we'll be back in South Georgia

eating whale sausages within weeks.

Why are we bagging the bally coal?

Keeps the mind occupied.

The pack ice is solid ahead.

We could go further north
but the temperature's dropping.

I don't want to go further than I
have to. It's costing a lot of coal.

We'll cut the engines. Anchor to the
floe and wait for it to open up.

We conserve the fuel in case we need
to get back to South Georgia.

Aye-aye, Boss.

What did I tell ya? He's cut
the engines. I smell whale sausages.

Could I eat it?

You'd have to be very hungry.
Fourteen.

It's animal, female,

we've never seen it, doesn't
live in the Antarctic, can't talk,

you only eat it if you're starving.

< And it's hairy.

And it's hairy. Can you stroke it?

Hmmm... Yes. Fifteen.

We should turn round and go 'ome.

Join up. Do something useful.

I dunno. War might be over by now.

I hope the Russians got the Kaiser.

They'd probably set him in a palace
and gie the bastard a pension.

Still makes no sense
bein' stuck out 'ere.

< But it is a body part?

Yes.

Head.

Warm. But no. Eighteen.

Hairy body part - has to be a chin.

Too obvious. Eyebrow.

Yes.

Ah-ah-ah! But whose? >

What do you mean, whose?

I'm thinking of a specific one.

A specific eyebrow? Ridiculous!

Marie Lloyd!

Right sex. Wrong woman.
Twenty. I win.

How are we to guess whose eyebrow?

Belongs to a girl called Noreen.

Who the damned hell's she?

First girl I ever kissed.

We're supposed to get the eyebrow
of the first girl you ever kissed?!

I hoped you'd narrow it down
to the left eyebrow. Now, boys!

Thought it was meant to get warmer.

Maybe this is warmer.

I had a pee this morning.
Froze as it hit the ground.

I don't believe you.

It's true.

Look at that, frozen dog urine.

What are you looking at?

Watch out, old boy, the deck's icing up.

Really?! You amaze me.

Well, at least
someone's happy we're stuck.

You think we are stuck?

We're stuck until we're unstuck.

Pull.

↑ Bring it up.

↑ Come on, that's it.

↑ Keep it steady.

Keep comin'.

Right, hold it there.

'It was incredible.'

Don't know how far I could see.

At least 20 miles in every direction.

Everything white.

Except for
the crooked shadow of our ship. >

Stuck like a matchstick
in a giant wedding cake. >

Down here,
we feel like we're something. >

A force
moving through the landscape. >

Up there, we realise we're nothing.>

A speck.

A spot in the wilderness.

Boss want us on deck immediately!

There's water about 200 yards ahead.
The whole floe may be breaking up.

There's open water 200 yards on.
We need to cut through.

Skipper, take the bridge.
I'll take charge on the ice.

Every man get an implement.
Let's get moving!

Spread out. Get to it.

Reverse engines.
Prepare for full-ahead ram.

Full ahead. Full ahead.

Frank, this ice is 6 foot thick. We
won't make it with picks and shovels.

We'll have to break her out somehow.

I know.

'PORT!'

'STARBOARD!'

Port!

Starboard!

Port! >

STARBOARD!

Port!

Take a break, everybody. We'll give
the bows one more go in five minutes.

One-two-three-four-five, two-three-four.

One-two-three-four-five, >

two-three-four.
One-two-three-four-five,

two-three-four.

One-two-three-four-five, two-three-four.

One-two-three-four-five two-three...

Frank!

That's enough.

You all right?

Yes, Frank. I'm all right.

I've always loved the dark.

Ever since I was a child. >

Bedtime stories. Midnight feasts. >

Dreams.

Somehow, in the dark, it's easier
to remember what you want to be.

I'm afraid we're all going to
have to learn to love it now.

Well, Mr Hurley's been working on
that. Boys would like you to look.

Yes, of course.

I've decided who will come with me
on the crossing of the continent.

It goes without saying
I'd like you to come.

I would be honoured.

Let's stop pretending
we will be out of here before summer.

I want the men to concentrate
on the land journey. You take charge.

Yes, Boss.

I have accepted that we are unlikely
to escape the ice this winter. >

I propose we cease operating
as a ship's company >

and become a winter base station. >

There will be no watches, simply
a night watchman for the stoves

as we will stand down the boilers
to preserve fuel.

This delay will not alter our plans.

We will use the time to prepare.

I have decided to name the party

who'll make the final journey
with me across the Pole. Frank?

Each man selected must choose and train
his own dogs for this historic journey.

This will be our business
in the coming weeks.

I propose to take five men.

Frank Wild, Tom Crean, Beck, >

Putty >

and I suppose, in case the paint
freezes, we'll need a photograph

so we'll have to take Mr Hurley. >

Was there something you wanted me to see?

Yes, Boss.
If you care to step outside.

Well, now, what have you got for me?

Enlightenment, Boss. As ever.

Thank you, Doc!

It's like Blackpool. Is there
no end to your talents, Mr Hurley?

I am as ever in your debt.

I appreciate the offer to go with you.

I couldn't leave you behind now.

What the hell was that?

A whale. Underneath the ship.

Looking for a hole in the ice.

Is it buggery!

Did somebody speak?

No, sir. I was just thinking
it didnae feel like a whale.

What's your analysis, McNish?

It's the ice.

It's movin'. Ye can feel it
through the side o' the ship.

Is that what you think?

Yes, sir.

I think it's a whale.

Got a whiff of chef's dinner, I suspect.

Skipper, we should make
this party official.

Let's have an issue of grog to all hands.

Yes, sir.

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