In a clip from Explorer that Variety provided, Prince Charles discusses his friendship with the late great explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Beyond his many global feats, the guy nicknamed the World’s Greatest Living Explorer is the subject of a new documentary by Matt Dyas (Jimmy the Whale Whisperer). The film seeks to tell the full story of the explorer and his drive to do the seemingly impossible by featuring interviews with a number of people, including Charles and another prominent adventurer in Bear Grylls, and by having extensive access to Fiennes and his archives in the British Film Institute National Archives.
Fiennes has led a remarkable life, full of firsts and records as an intrepid explorer.
His three-year journey from pole to pole, which he completed first, is widely considered to be his greatest achievement. He’s also crossed the Antarctic on foot, unearthed the lost city of Iram, ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, and placed himself in plenty of danger along the way. He has participated in countless events and raised millions of dollars for charity throughout the course of his excursions. Although it gives some insight into who he is, as hinted at by Charles in the video, it doesn’t provide the whole tale.
Charles introduces the video by saying, “He wants to do the things that haven’t been done by other people.” “I don’t think you’d ever do these things if you had too much imagination.” It complements the clips that show Fiennes braving frigid missions and a perilous voyage across turbulent waves to highlight the explorer’s daredevilry. Fascination has characterised their relationship over the years, especially since Fiennes has repeatedly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to exploration, despite the risks it has entailed. In his youth, Charles’s unconventional personality was described as “delightfully insane.”
The movie appears to argue in favour of the most outlandish characters, the ones that may look strange to others yet are driven to innovate constantly. The film’s director, Alex Dyas, said, “I wanted to present a compelling image of the actual guy behind the myth, and between the cracks of the ordinary and the remarkable, I hope people perceive for themselves an intimate side to his personality and the impulses that drive him.” Dyas has directed a miniseries starring Fiennes and his actor cousin Joseph Fiennes, titled Fiennes: Return to the Nile, in which the two travel down the eponymous river.
In addition, he has contributed to other films throughout the years that have explored the world’s waters and sky. George Chignell (Citizen K), nominated for a BAFTA and an Emmy, was an individual producer on the documentary alongside Good Productions, BFI, and Universal Pictures Content Group. Explorer launches on download and on-demand on August 30.