Beyond The Pole review

Two friend's pathetic attempt to trek to the North Pole

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Good intentions trump common sense when sadsack best mates Brian and Mark embark on “the first carbon neutral, organic and vegetarian expedition to the North Pole.”

Based on a Radio 4 comedy, David L Williams’ mockumentary errs on the side of middlebrow.

Faintly absurd run-ins with polar bears and a rival expedition go as you’d expect, while the mockery of the men’s unwitting hypocrisy plays second fiddle to the endearingly silly buddy act.

Visually, Williams excels by shooting against Greenland’s breathtaking vistas – a more resonant symbol of the film’s eco-message than its heartfelt but hectoring coda.