Watch Chasing Shackleton

Chasing Shackleton is a thrilling documentary television series that follows the highly skilled adventurer, Tim Jarvis, as he embarks on an epic quest to recreate one of the greatest survival stories of all time - Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914-17 Endurance expedition. The Endurance expedition famously became stuck in the ice in the Weddell Sea en route to Antarctica, stranding Shackleton and his crew for over two years. Jarvis leads a team of five men who must recreate Shackleton's journey, using only the same equipment and technology from the turn of the 20th century.

The series goes beyond just a simple adventure, aiming to educate and inspire viewers about the incredible bravery and resourcefulness of Shackleton's original crew, and explore how they managed to survive against all odds. Through stunning, picturesque cinematography and expertly narrated storytelling, the series tracks Jarvis and his team as they traverse the frigid Antarctic landscapes to follow the path of Shackleton's original crew.

The team also faces extreme obstacles and challenges, including the harsh weather conditions, limited food and water resources, and the deadly wildlife that inhabits the area. The series doesn't shy away from the fact that the expedition is incredibly dangerous, and viewers are kept on the edge of their seats as the team struggles to complete their mission. But through it all, Jarvis and his team remain dedicated to their goal, pushing themselves to their limits in order to navigate the same frozen landscape that Shackleton and his team once traversed.

One of the standout features of Chasing Shackleton is the expertly crafted historical accuracy. The team's equipment and clothing are exact replicas of what Shackleton's original crew would have worn, and the show takes great care to note the differences between modern-day technologies and what was available to Shackleton. The series also uses journal entries, photographs, and other historical records to provide a rich backdrop of backstory to Shackleton's daring expedition, bringing the history of the original journey to life in vivid detail.

Throughout the series, viewers are also treated to expert commentary from a team of experts in Shackleton's life and career, adding yet another layer of depth to the story. The team discusses everything from the science of how Shackleton's crew were able to survive in such harsh conditions to the emotional struggles and triumphs of their journey. The expert insights and commentary help to bring a level of academic rigor to the story, making it both entertaining and informative.

While the series has a highly educational bent, the team behind Chasing Shackleton skillfully manages to balance historical facts and adventure storytelling to make it exciting and engaging for viewers of all ages. The series is also highly relatable and human, capturing the team's frustration, exhaustion, and exhiliration as they push themselves to their limits in search of a greater goal.

Overall, Chasing Shackleton is an incredible educational journey for viewers, transporting them back in time to one of the most harrowing survival stories in human history. It is an expertly crafted, highly engaging story that manages to balance historical accuracy, educational lessons, and thrilling adventure into one unforgettable series.

Chasing Shackleton is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between January 8, 2014 and on PBS