Eight Below (2006)

Director:

Frank Marshall

Writers (WGA):

David DiGilio (screenplay)
Toshirô Ishidô (film Nankyoku Monogatari) ...

Release Date:

17 February 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Romance

Tagline:

Eight Below. Inspired by a true story.

Plot:

Brutal cold forces two Antarctic explorers to leave their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for their survival.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Survival | Rescue | Expedition | Hospital

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Paul Walker	...	Jerry Shepard
Bruce Greenwood	...	Davis McClaren
Moon Bloodgood	...	Katie
Wendy Crewson	...	Eve McClaren
Gerard Plunkett	...	Dr. Andy Harrison
August Schellenberg	...	Mindo
Jason Biggs	...	Charlie Cooper
D.J.	...	Max -a Dog
Timba	...	Max - a Dog
Koda	...	Maya - a Dog (as Koda Bear)
Jasmin	...	Maya - a Dog
Apache	...	Old Jack - a Dog
Buck	...	Old Jack - a Dog
Noble	...	Shadow - a Dog
Troika	...	Shadow - a Dog

Also Known As:

8 Below (USA) (promotional title)
Antarctica (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some peril and brief mild language.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:18SG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Brazil:Livre | USA:PG (certificate #42280) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-7 | Iceland:L | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:6 | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | New Zealand:PG

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Second unit filming in Greenland was referred to by crew members as the "Amundsen Expedition". This was a reference to second unit director/director of photography Mitchell Amundsen, and to Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The full moon over Antarctica is oriented with its north pole up, as it appears to observers in the northern hemisphere.

Quotes:

Jerry Shepard: And the fans go wild!

Movie Connections:

Features Antarctica (1991)

Soundtrack:

Coming Back Home

Surprisingly good

I went begrudgingly to see this film with my daughter. It was not on my list of films to see but she insisted. Knowing that it was a Disney product only made me dread it more. The schlock they try to pass off as good films these days is ridiculous. The only up-side I could see was the director, Frank Marshall. He has produced some of my favorite films. Let's see what he can do behind the camera.

Pleasantly surprised I think is a good term for my reaction. Although the film was about 20 minutes too long, it did sustain the action and drama all the way through. I knew the basics of the story: a team at a base in Antartica must evacuate and cannot take the sled dogs with them. Winter sets in and the dogs are forced to survive on their own in the brutal cold for months.

The dogs are very entertaining and their scenes with the science team are warm and amusing, even thrilling. Where I expected the film to fail was after the humans and dogs separate. Amazingly though, this is where the Mr. Marshall seemed to kick it into gear. Watching the opposing scenes unfold of the guilt-ridden Paul Walker frantically trying to find anyone to help him get back down to the Antartic, interlaced with the Huskies who are struggling through the rough winter, scrounging for food and defending each other from predators, was very emotional.

While the film is a grade A survival pic, I hadn't expected it to be such a tear-jerker. Be forewarned. Although the human performances (Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood and the necessary romantic lead, Moon Bloodgood) were mediocre at best, the canine actors really do steal your heart.

No Oscar material here, but as far as family films go these days, this one is above par. Grade: B