The Last Continent

Narrated by Donald Sutherland, filmmaker Jean Lemire's documentary follows a lengthy expedition to Antarctica designed to assess the effect of climate change on the continent. A biologist by training, Lemire took up a second career behind the camera in 1987 and has since made a number of nonfiction films. In the fall of 2005, Lemire and a crew of scientists and cameramen sailed the Sedna IV from Quebec through dangerous seas to reach their base camp, where they remained through the long Antarctic winter while trying to gauge the effect of global warming on the environment and wildlife, along the way confronting and overcoming unexpected challenges. Beautifully lensed (especially striking on Blu-ray) and smartly edited, The Last Continent covers the entire 430-day undertaking from departure to return, recording the group's encounters with various species and observing how the increase in temperatures has affected their habitat and chances of survival. Sutherland's narration—especially early on—draws comparisons between Lemire's venture and the famous Shackleton expedition of 1914-1916, and while the former doesn't match that historic trek in dramatic urgency, it might ultimately prove to be of even greater scientific significance. DVD extras include 11 short bonus films, ranging in subject from a profile of composer Simon Leclerc to documenting various encounters with seals, whales, dolphins, and penguins. Recommended. [Note: the companion volume, Antarctic Mission: The Complete Series, narrated by David Suzuki, is also newly available.] Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)