In a clip from Explorer that Variety released, Prince Charles discusses his friendship with legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. A new documentary by Jimmy the Whale Whisperer’s director Matt Dyas chronicles the life of the guy who has been called the “World’s Greatest Living Explorer” for reasons beyond his many travels and discoveries.
The film seeks to tell the complete 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. Possibly his biggest feat was his three-year-long attempt to become the first person to round the world from pole to pole. He has also undertaken a footrace through Antarctica, located the long-lost city of Iram, run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, and faced several perils in the course of these endeavours.
He has raised millions of dollars for good causes through his many journeys and has participated in several events for the same purpose. Charles implies in the video that this portrayal is incomplete since it does not reflect his true character. He wants to accomplish things that no one else has done,” Charles says at the beginning of the clip. “I don’t suppose you’d do these things if you had too much creativity.” It complements the footage of Fiennes enduring frigid conditions on the expedition and a perilous journey across choppy seas to highlight the explorer’s intrepid spirit. Their connection has been one of intrigue throughout the years, especially since Fiennes has repeatedly shown his unwavering commitment to exploration, even when it has put his life in danger. Charles, when he was younger, was praised for his “delightfully insane” eccentricity.
The movie appears to argue for the most outlandish of people, the ones who others may view as mad but who are driven by an inner demon to do the impossible. Dyas remarked, “I hoped that in the seams of the ordinary and the spectacular, spectators would perceive for themselves an intimate aspect of his personality and the motives that drive him in Explorer.” Dyas has directed a miniseries with Fiennes before; it was called Fiennes: Return to the Nile and starred both Fiennes and his actor cousin Joseph Fiennes.
Over the years, he has also contributed to a variety of films that travel everywhere from the oceans to the heavens. The documentary was produced by Good Productions, BFI, and Universal Pictures Content Group, with George Chignell (Citizen K), who was nominated for both a BAFTA and an Emmy, serving as an executive producer. On August 30th, Explorer will be available digitally and via video on demand.