SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC

UK, 1948, 111 minutes, Colour.
John Mills, Harold Warrender, James Robertson Justice, Derek Bond, Diana Churchill, Anne Firth, Kenneth More, John Gregson.
Directed by Charles Frend.

Scott of the Antarctic is a straightforward re-creation of the expedition to the Antarctic by Captain Robert Scott. The ill-fated journey is recreated, the finding of Amundsen already at the pole, the return, the inability to arrive, the deaths in the snow – especially Evans and Oates and their deaths. The film has a fine British cast. It recreates the atmosphere of exploration in Antarctica. It takes the style of the still British upper lip and heroism. The film was directed by Charles Frend who worked at Ealing Studios, directing the more serious films like San Demetrio London and The Cruel Sea.

1. Interesting and enjoyable a piece of cinema history?

2. The importance of the visualizing of history? Human achievement? The reality of the past? The history of Britain and its achievement? How patriotic in tone was the film?

3. The film is one of exploration and adventure, the nature of hardships and endurance, themes of survival, winning and achievement? How valuable ah an exploration of these themes?

4. The film seen as a tribute to heroism, achievement, the human spirit and endurance? How obvious was this tone of the film?

5. The importance of the visual aspects of Antarctica for atmosphere, the use of colour, Antarctic beauty and harshness? An environment for survival and achievement, for failure? The environment controlling the men? The background music sustaining this theme?

6. What was the spirit of Captain Scott? The structure of the explanation of his exploration, what motivated him, what drove him?

7. The details of preparation, the visit to Wilson and persuading him to join, the scientific outlook of the expedition, the human side and the wife's decision? The details of Scott's appeal and the need for money? The girl offering the school's money for the dog? The talks in the industrial town? The scoffers? Government grants? Meeting Oates and accepting him and the windfall of money? Taking Bowers with the coincidence of the financial grant? The training sequences in Scandinavia? The irony of Amundsen’s advice about the dogs? The sense of preparation and an important expedition?

8. The pathos of the New Zealand farewell? The irony of Amundsen's telegram? The changed aspect for Scott?

9. The arrival in Antarctica, the plans, the sense of achievement? The men involved in the expedition and their morale? The presentation of the terrain, the physical exertion, the psychological pressures? A convincing experience of the expedition?

10. The inevitability of things going wrong? The unexpected? Terrain and weather? Psychological pressures?

11. How crucial was the choice for the final five to go to the Pole? The Christmas Day celebration and the men’s good spirit?

12. The disappointment for those who did not go to the Pole? The disappointment to find Amundsen there first? The visualizing of this with the flag in the distance? The ironic letter for the King of Norway? The photograph at the Pole? The impact on the men?

13. How difficult wan the return journey? The irregularity of the seasons? Physical health? The continued walking, easing of burdens?

14. The dramatic impact of Evan’s death? The nature of physical and mental exhaustion, even for a big man? The reaction of the others?

15. Oates finding it difficult? His cultivated good cheer? His achievement with the ponies in the south? The rights and wrongs of his decision to go out and die? The decision for the others to let him go? As a figure who gave his life for others?

16. The final sadness with the writing of the diary, the failure of the oil, Bowers remembering his mother, Wilson his wife? The pathos of eleven miles to go?

17. What did the Scott expedition achieve in terms of the human spirit and the value of living? The film as a fitting tribute?