Directed by: Jimmy Chin, Natalie Hewit and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Run Time: 1 hours 43 minutes
What is it that drives human beings to explore? That’s the question pondered in Endurance, the latest film from Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi – the directing duo behind Free Solo (2018). Joined as well by Antartica – Ice Station Rescue (2017) director Natalie Hewit, together they attempt to find the answer to this question while also charting the 2022 search for polar explorer Ernest Shackleton’s famous shipwreck, Endurance.
The documentary certainly succeeds in answering why Shackleton explored, offering insight into the man behind the multiple maritime expeditions. His and Endurance’s story is undoubtedly a fascinating one and while the documentary is retelling this remarkable survival story, naturally, Endurance is at its most compelling. Its use of Frank Hurley’s original expedition footage, preserved and restored by the BFI, gives audiences a real appreciation of this Antarctic adventure.
Although, this will possibly only be the case for those viewers who don’t already know the details of the historic expedition. Of course Shackleton’s story is also only half of the documentary’s focus, with the remainder taking place in a contemporary setting over 100 years later, as the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust search for the elusive shipwreck.
Unfortunately this section, following the Endurance22 expedition, doesn’t hold the same intrigue as the historical one. As their team search for the wreckage onboard the South African research and logistics vessel S.A. Agulhas II, it becomes rather repetitive. There is no overarching voice to guide viewers through this chapter. Instead, viewers are introduced to a number of the expedition crew – marine archaeologist Mensun Bound and geographer Dr. John Shears to name a few – but only really at a surface level. There are some charming personal anecdotes that begin to encourage an emotional response, but nothing substantial enough to make this portion of the film as gripping as Shackleton’s story. Ultimately, this more widespread collection of characters dilutes the focus and weakens this half of the film.
So while Endurance does illuminate Shackleton’s motives it fails to adequately tap into the “why” of its modern counterpart, a question that’s essential for documentary filmmaking. What is it that’s so important about locating this shipwreck, and why devote such money and resources to finding it? The film does discuss the notion of searching for treasure, suggesting the real thrill is in finding it and not what you can do with it after. However, this just doesn’t offer enough justification for the modern day expedition or more crucially, the documentary itself.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment though only makes itself known in the film’s very final moments, as it sheepishly reveals that Endurance has used AI to replicate the voices of the original crew. Isn’t the point of documentary filmmaking to pursue fact? If so, it seems like a bizarre choice to implement such a controversial, feigned tool. The use of AI here isn’t only wholly unnecessary, but also rather manipulative. Therefore, despite Endurance‘s ironic lack of depth, this final revelation delivers a truly sinking feeling that sees the film achieve a deeply disappointing new low.
Star Rating: ★ ★
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