Cook & Peary: The Race to the Pole

Peary v. Cook. Which of those former colleagues turned bitter rivals reached the North Pole first? Well, this TV movie shows Cook reaching the Pole while Peary is presented as confused, arbitrary, deceptive and downright mean.

Since this movie came out several books have been published purporting . . . What is probably the truth . . . Neither man went anywhere near the Pole. And they used basically identical evidence against each other except Peary had the backing of the uber-influential National Geographic Society. I haven't taken their word for anything since.

But who cares about facts? What about the movie? It's well-made and watchable. Richard Chamberlain gives one of his patented "gee, I'm really caring" performances while Rod Steiger is blustering and boggled.

Just beware that it's probably historical garbage.