Deep in the wild Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and Africa, a snowy volcano, almost three thousand meters high, rears up from the sea on Heard Island. It looked like a great white whale to early Southern Ocean mariners, hence its name.

On five occasions Great White Whale of a mountain tried to kill the first team that attempted to climb it. Yet back they sailed, through the worst seas in the world to try again, this time with the legendary Bill Tilman as the skipper.

The Great White Whale is the extraordinary tale of both expeditions, told by those who were there, one of whom sings the story, as befits the epic saga that it was.

The beautifully shot original footage of the expedition, the brilliant music score, the quirky humour of the expeditioners, the utter boldness of the quest, add spice to one of the least-known epic tales of our times.

View the trailer: The Great White Whale trailer (youtube.com)

Photo credit: Matt Curnock.