Shackleton's ordeal comes to Omnimax
PITTSBURGH — "Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure," a film recounting what has long been considered the greatest survival story of all time, is now showing on the four-story tall screen at the Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Ave., North Side.
The film brings to life Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914¿1916 British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Not long into the quest, Shackleton's ship, Endurance, was caught in ice on the Weddell Sea and was eventually crushed. The 28 explorers who embarked on the infamous journey with Shackleton were stranded and lived on ice floes until they drifted close enough to open water to launch lifeboats.
Months later, the crew reached Elephant Island, an isolated and uninhabited land that held no hope of rescue. So Shackleton and five other men sailed 800 miles farther to reach South Georgia Island, battling some of the most frigid and stormy sea conditions imaginable. Once they made it to shore, they had to cross South Georgia's untouched mountains and glaciers to reach a whaling station.
Shackleton finally returned to Elephant Island with help — to find that every crew member had miraculously survived.
To create the film, the production team went on two expeditions to the Antarctic in 1999 and 2000. They retraced the travels of Shackleton and his group and simulated the hardships they faced, while cinematographers took photographs using IMAX technology.
To further enhance the authentic feel, the film weaves in still photographs actually taken by the Endurance crew during the ill-fated journey.
The Omnimax film is narrated by Kevin Spacey and was produced by NOVA/WGBH Boston in collaboration with White Mountain Films.
Omnimax is not recommended for children younger than 3. Call 412-237-3400 for show times and admission.
