The Great White Silence (1924)

Last night I had the honour and privilege of viewing Herbert Ponting's infamous adventure documentary The Great White Silence. Held in a gala at the West End Odeon cinema in Leicester Square, the British Film Institute unveiled the result of a restoration project which began in 1993. The documentary/film has been restored to its former glory, and kept in line with Ponting's wishes, and the result is phenomenal.

Herbert Ponting was a legendary photographer and cinematographer of his time, and was asked by Captain Robert Falcon Scott to join his merry band of sailors and explorers on what was hoped to be the first successful mission to the South Pole. During the movie, we see Scott's team board the Terra Nova which leaves New Zealand and head towards the Antarctic, along the way Ponting captures some astounding footage of ice-capped waters, huge icebergs, and fascinating wildlife. Once at their base camp, Ponting shoots much of the local scenery, such as a group of penguins, a family of seals, beautiful ice formations, and killer whales. These breathtaking images are also coupled with shots of the team and their work: building camps, training the dogs and ponies for the arduous journey ahead, and all the tiresome labour which the explorers undertook with a strong enthusiasm. The rest of the journey to the South Pole is made up of footage taken at the base camp and extracts from Captain Scott's journal, as it was too perilous for Ponting and all of the crew to embark on the journey together.

The documentary is an astounding piece of work. Images from another world were captured in such a hands-on manner, that the viewer cannot escape the danger that these adventurers faced. The use of tinting frames makes for a far more enjoyable viewing experience, and the frames with captions are often humorous, poignant and emotional. We were lucky enough, last night, to have the film accompanied by composer Simon Fisher Turner and a group of musicians who played a mix of live and recorded music over the documentary, which created an intense and effective atmosphere in the theatre.

As a silent movie/documentary, this is a national treasure. The history involved is exciting and perilous, the characters are interesting, and the locations are sensational. For those looking to be part of cinematic history, I implore you to view this film. If you are looking for your average film and have a low attention span it may not be for you, but for those willing to embark on a journey that is exciting, dangerous, and unique, The Great White Silence will offer you an unforgettable adventure.