The two previous comments have pretty well said it all except for one thing. This IMAX movie is really two separate concepts, quite cleverly woven together. One is the Shackleton story, which taken as it is from 1930s technology-of-the-day (still photos and jerky movies, all of course in black and white) gains no advantage from the IMAX presentation. And indeed one of the previous commentators is quite correct: if what you are after is an in-depth explanation of Shackleton's trip, then this is not the place to obtain it, because this is only a very "lightweight" treatment. Although, please trust me and read on, that's not necessarily taking anything away from it.
The second concept is the interleaving throughout the Shackleton story of modern IMAX-quality views of Antarctic et al scenery. This is truly "breathtaking" it the literal sense. The wide-screen format gives this a true "you are there" feeling, like no ordinary TV or other movie documentary has given so far. Never again will I be able to look at an icecube in a martini glass the same way again :-)
The most important thing that the second concept adds to the first is that without actually going there to see for oneself, it gives the viewer a tiny glimpse - and that's all that it ever can be - of what the conditions must be like that Shackleton actually had to endure. Put it all together,and it's a most thought-provoking and stimulating movie. And THAT is where this movie gives that "little something" that a "mere" book will not be able to do.
The second concept is the interleaving throughout the Shackleton story of modern IMAX-quality views of Antarctic et al scenery. This is truly "breathtaking" it the literal sense. The wide-screen format gives this a true "you are there" feeling, like no ordinary TV or other movie documentary has given so far. Never again will I be able to look at an icecube in a martini glass the same way again :-)
The most important thing that the second concept adds to the first is that without actually going there to see for oneself, it gives the viewer a tiny glimpse - and that's all that it ever can be - of what the conditions must be like that Shackleton actually had to endure. Put it all together,and it's a most thought-provoking and stimulating movie. And THAT is where this movie gives that "little something" that a "mere" book will not be able to do.