THIS CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE BIG SPOILER--DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU! This is an episode of "The American Experience" about a little-known expedition into the Arctic in the late 19th century. Adolphus Greely headed this expedition and it turned out to be a disaster. Although he and his men were able to go farther north than any other people until that time, the group was ill-prepared and stuck. Instead of returning, however, they got snowed in and were forced to remain there for two years. Many, but not all, of the expedition perished. Despite this, Greely remained in the US Army and ultimately was made a major general.
This documentary was narrated by Michael Murphy and is similar in style to most of "The American Experience" films. It consists of interviews, narration, modern recreation of events and old photographs. While this may sound kind of dull, they were expertly assembled well-crafted. Well worth see, but also very grim. In fact, the unpleasant nature of the plight of these men may make many uncomfortable or depressed--especially with diaries that talk of limbs dropping off due to frostbite and even cannibalism. Ewww.
By the way, late in the film is a dig about global warming that will either thrill some or irritate others. Whatever.
This documentary was narrated by Michael Murphy and is similar in style to most of "The American Experience" films. It consists of interviews, narration, modern recreation of events and old photographs. While this may sound kind of dull, they were expertly assembled well-crafted. Well worth see, but also very grim. In fact, the unpleasant nature of the plight of these men may make many uncomfortable or depressed--especially with diaries that talk of limbs dropping off due to frostbite and even cannibalism. Ewww.
By the way, late in the film is a dig about global warming that will either thrill some or irritate others. Whatever.
