Antarctica

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Audience Member Antarctica is a sadly forgotten adventure/drama. Despite eventually getting a Disney remake in the form of Eight Below, this film has been largely lost with time (Here in the U.S., the last time this film was given a home video release was on VHS...in 1985. And the fucker isn't cheap, either. My copy cost me $50, though I was also given a complimentary DVD copy). Hell, I only discovered this film through YouTube when I was listening to the Blade Runner soundtrack, so the recommendations pointed me to other Vangelis music compositions - one of which was his score for this film. I was immediately intrigued and sought out the film. I'm glad I did, because I got a damn fine film that should be more well known and deserves a new spotlight in this day and age. The plot is basically about how a team of Japanese researchers inadvertently leave their team of dogs behind at their base. Due to weather conditions, they are unable to go back for them, leaving the dogs to survive on their own in the harsh elements. Of the 15 dogs, 7 succumb to starvation when they can't free themselves of their chains, while the remaining 8 manage to break free and the story chronicles their paths until the researchers are finally able to return to their base. It's a harrowing film to watch as the dogs try to survive not only the harsh weather, but other elements as well, such as orcas and other wildlife. It's beautifully shot, the music score is excellent (I have the soundtrack on CD), and it's also thrilling and emotionally intense. My main gripe has to do with the U.S. release which felt the need to dub over the Japanese language (During scenes involving one of the researchers trying to get back to the base), which doesn't go over very well and hampers part of the experience. Thankfully, the scenes involving humans are relatively rare as it mainly focuses on the dogs' survival. If you somehow ever get the chance to watch it, Antarctica is well worth watching. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Many would identify Eight Below than this film but this Japanese Box Office Hit was the origin of the species. The story of two scientists that where forced to abort the mission in Antarctica & left their team of 15 huskies to fend for themselves. A very simply but poignant film film that not only films the dogs journey so well but the men's guilt for leaving them, a subtle masterpiece & a terrific film that really get's your eyes welling...beautiful stuff. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Tears will fill your eyes no matter how hard you try. :-( Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautifully shot and scored, with an incredibly moving story, this justifies its length with great performances from its four-legged stars, though I often wondered about the animals' welfare during filming. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Quite a moving and emotive film set alongside superb music by Vangelis, though the continuity at some points is a bit spoiling. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Indeed very gripping; never feels quite like fiction, nor quite like a documentary, yet both of these elements are present and realistically performed in this film. The poor, poor dogs. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Antarctica

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