Passage (2008)

Plot

Filmmaker John Walker intricately weaves dramatic action with documentary elements to explore the tragic saga of British explorer Sir John Franklin and his 128-member crew, who succumbed to the Arctic's icy grasp during their quest for the Northwest Passage. In 1851, Scottish doctor John Rae revealed their grim fate, detailing madness and cannibalism, sparking outrage from Lady Franklin and notable figures like Charles Dickens. They launched a campaign to discredit Rae and vilify the Inuit people. A poignant meeting between Dickens’ descendant and Inuit statesman Tagak Curley brings this historical conflict into contemporary focus, challenging long-held narratives.