Documentary: The Endurance

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success." Ernest ShackletonCoinciding with the outbreak of World War I, the British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton used these words in a recruitment notice for crew members of an expedition that would become a landmark in exploration history: the first trek through Antarctica. Nonetheless, the hopes of 27 men were dashed mere kilometres from their destination when the Endurance, the ship in which they were travelling, was locked into the ice only one day away from the continent. Forced to change its goal, the expedition became a desperate struggle for survival of man against nature. CosmoCaixa, the science museum of ”la Caixa” Foundation in Madrid, will be offering weekend screenings of The Endurance, the film that narrates the odyssey of Ernest Shackleton's second Antarctic expedition which lasted from 1914 to 1917. The conquest of the South Pole remains a secret only half told. The Endurance is an exceptional, emotion-packed documentary that narrates the last great Antarctic saga to unfold in the early twentieth century. After Amundsen and Scott had reached the South Pole, Shackleton set out to claim his place in history as the first man to cross the continent diagonally, from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea. Ironically, his failure to accomplish this feat would become a stunning success for both him and his men. That year the pack ice came earlier than expected, thus trapping the ship. Then, months later, unable to resist the ice pressure, it sank before the desperate gaze of the crew. The expedition members were forced to camp on the ice floes and survive in near-impossible conditions before finally being rescued two years later.This 90-minute documentary is based on the book by Carol Alexander and has been edited using original footage, which was miraculously rescued when the pack ice crushed and sank the ship. The epic nature of the mission, the startling images, the testimony by both expedition descendants and famous explorers have all contributed to create a work of great cinematic, historical and human value. The Endurance won the Best Documentary prize at the Chicago Film Critics Awards in 2001. The premiere of these screenings, which complement the season's Antarctica exhibition, will take place at CosmoCaixa on 8 April and will be presented by Jerónimo López, Vice President of the International Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. The film will be shown every Saturday, Sunday and holiday from 17 April to 15 June at 12:30 p.m. While it is included in the general admission price to CosmoCaixa, please remember that seating is limited.The EnduranceLocation: CosmoCaixa, Pintor Velázquez, s/n. 28100 Alcobendas, MadridPremiere: 8 April at 7:00 p.m. Presented by Jerónimo LópezDates and times: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 17 April to 15 June, at 12:30 p.m.Price: General Admission: adults: 3 euros; young people, students and families with three children or more: 1.50 euros; senior citizens: 1 euroInformation telephone: 91 484 52 00www.fundacio.lacaixa.es