Filming In Famous Footsteps

A Supporter Story by Natalie Hewit – Endurance film maker

Growing up in the UK, the myth of Sir Ernest Shackleton had always loomed large in the national imagination, but it wasn’t until I was asked to go to Antarctica to shoot a film for the BBC in 2016 that I really began to dig deep into his story. I was lucky enough to share dinner with his granddaughter, Alexandra Shackleton, before I set off, and hearing her talk about her grandfather was both fascinating and deeply moving. It somehow brought the man to life for me in a new way, in all of his complexity.

Just a few weeks later, I headed into the great white unknown for the first time and my fascination with Shackleton and his incredible spirit of exploration was solidified. Little did I know that in 2021 I would be invited to return to Antarctica, to document the search for his infamous ship Endurance for a feature documentary for National Geographic. Obviously, I jumped at the chance and once more set off South.

The mission to locate Endurance was long, cold and very, very challenging. It is probably one of the hardest film shoots I have ever undertaken, but it was also one of the most inspiring. As an expedition team, we faced huge challenges and many disappointing setbacks. But the team spirit, collaboration and problem-solving was outstanding and each day I witnessed the beauty of how humankind can achieve even that which seems impossible when we work together. I believe Shackleton would have been so proud of each and every one of the team members on that expedition, and I know his spirit of adventure and endurance was an inspiration to all of us.

I think the only way I can accurately describe my trip to Shackleton’s Cape Royds hut in January 2025 is that it was a total dream. Walking into the hut was like stepping back in time to visit the home of an old friend. It was as though Shackletonand his men had just popped out for a walk along the coast, or to inspect the penguin rookery which lies a short distance away. I marvelled at how normal and homely the hut felt, despite being perched on a rock at the end of the world – it is a strangely common feeling for me when I spend time in Antarctica. To see the food they ate, the mugs they drank from, their socks still hanging on the line and boots by the stove was truly profound to me. In many ways it reminded me of the moment I saw the wreck of Endurance for the first time, lying silently 3000m below the surface of the Weddell Sea. It felt like the story of what Shackleton and his men achieved was no longer a myth, but suddenly felt real and visceral in a new and important way.

I truly believe the work of the Antarctic Heritage Trust in the preservation of these historic huts is essential for protecting the legacy of humankind’s journey of self-discovery. But more than that, as a storyteller, I believe protecting these places help us to better share the stories of discovery and perseverance, which can inspire us all to work together for the greater good. This feels needed now more than ever, in the face of the mounting challenges we see in the world today. The huts serve as a testament to what we can achieve when we reach out into the unknown, and try to push the boundaries on behalf of the global community. And that is something well worth looking after.