Encounters at the End of the World.

My Rating
(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: G

Runtime: 101 minutes
Genre: Documentary

Antarctica. When I think about it, I think of it as a cold, desolate land of ice and little life. Encounters at the End of the World brings Antarctica and the people who choose to inhabit it to life.

In this documentary, acclaimed director Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica to explore what exactly goes on down there. He’ll take you from the headquarters of the National Science Foundation to the depths of the sea and even to live volcanoes in order to explore the scientists.

On this journey you get to meet many of the scientists and “professional dreamers” who have an incredible passion for being there. That truly is one of the best parts of the movie. It’s incredible to hear the stories of all of the people who ended up, as they say, at the end of the world together. Their stories are unique and inspiring to watch them tell. It’s one thing to read a story, but to hear the person tell it is totally different.

The footage in this movie is breathtaking. Encounters at the End of the World will take you on a journey to some of the most scenic places in the world. You’ll travel under the sheets of Antarctic ice to see some of the creatures who inhabit the sub-zero waters with untethered divers, you’ll venture to a volcano with bubbling lava, and you’ll even see a bit of the penguins and seals that the inhabitants study.

I know some people think that documentaries equal boredom. This documentary, despite its masterful presentation, also offers humor. Herzog, who also narrates the documentary, seems to say exactly what he’s thinking in the moment which turns out to be humorous, thought-provoking, and insightful.

This quirky documentary about the scientists in Antarctica is a must-see for anyone who enjoys documentaries, wants to know more about what happens in the Antarctica, or someone who enjoys hearing amazing true stories.

Netflix Page for Encounters at the End of the World