Epic Biopics: Films About Circumnavigations

Description: While not a circumnavigation, this film captures the essence of adventure and the perils of the sea with the true story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing vessel caught in one of the worst storms ever recorded in the North Atlantic.

Fact: The film is based on the book by Sebastian Junger. The storm depicted was a rare combination of weather systems, making it truly "perfect" in its destructive power.

Description: While not a biopic, this film captures the essence of adventure and self-discovery as Walter Mitty embarks on a global quest to find a missing negative, pushing him out of his comfort zone and into the world.

Fact: The film was inspired by James Thurber's short story. The journey depicted in the film was shot in various locations around the world.

Description: While not a journey around the world, this film explores the inner voyage of Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic who fought for the right to die, showcasing the human spirit's quest for freedom and control over one's destiny.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It's based on the real-life story of Ramon Sampedro.

Description: Although fictional, this animated film captures the spirit of adventure and exploration as Tintin and Captain Haddock embark on a quest for treasure, involving a journey around the world.

Fact: Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film uses motion capture technology. It's based on the beloved comic series by Hergé.

Description: Based on the memoir "The Long Walk," this film tells the story of a group of prisoners escaping from a Siberian gulag and trekking across Asia to freedom, showcasing the human spirit's will to survive against all odds.

Fact: The film was directed by Peter Weir. The authenticity of the memoir has been debated, but the journey depicted is undeniably epic.

Description: This film follows British explorer Percy Fawcett's quest to find an ancient lost city in the Amazon, a journey that spans multiple expeditions and captures the allure of the unknown.

Fact: The film is based on the book by David Grann. Fawcett's disappearance in the Amazon remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries.

Description: This film recounts the harrowing tale of the whaleship Essex, which inspired Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." It's a story of survival, madness, and the human spirit's resilience against the vastness of the ocean.

Fact: The film was directed by Ron Howard. The real-life events of the Essex inspired one of the greatest novels in American literature.

Description: This film tells the story of Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft, proving that ancient Polynesians could have made the same journey. It's a tale of human endurance and the will to challenge the unknown.

Fact: The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. The raft used in the movie was a replica of the original Kon-Tiki.

Description: While not a circumnavigation, this film captures the spirit of adventure with the true story of the 1952 Coast Guard rescue mission off the coast of Cape Cod, where a tanker split in two during a storm, showcasing the bravery of those who venture into the unknown.

Fact: The film is based on the book by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. The rescue mission depicted is considered one of the most daring in Coast Guard history.

Description: This documentary captures Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica, which turned into a survival story when their ship, the Endurance, was trapped by ice. It's a testament to leadership and human endurance.

Fact: The film uses original footage from the expedition, providing an authentic glimpse into the past. Shackleton's leadership is often studied in business schools.