Radio Times

Review by:

Gill Crawford

“Messy murder would be done” is a bearded Neil Oliver’s blunt assessment of what might happen if he had to spend months on an icebreaker. In this enthralling documentary he’s surveying the career of scarcely remembered Antarctic pioneer William Speirs Bruce. He set up the first South Pole weather station, and took the first moving-image film of penguins.

As well as being a fascinating story, it’s great television: Oliver is a grumpy, unwilling seafarer, until he’s struck dumb by the sight of his first iceberg, and he finally comes to understand, if not share, Bruce’s passion for science and discovery.

About this programme

2/4. Neil Oliver charts the story of naturalist William Speirs Bruce, who set out to conquer Antarctica in the early 20th century in the cause of scientific advancement rather than national pride.

Cast and crew

Cast

Presenter

Neil Oliver

Crew

Director

Colin Murray

Producer

Colin Murray

Series Producer

Richard Downes

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