Explores the dual narrative of historical investigation and fictional filmmaking surrounding the Franklin expedition.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Lost Expedition Context
The documentary opens with the historical backdrop of Sir John Franklin's doomed mission. It introduces the central mystery surrounding the crew's fate and sets the stage for both fictional and non-fictional explorations.
Key Events
Documentary Premiere — Film premieres at Hot Docs festival Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Toronto
Franklin Expedition Context — Background of the doomed mission Characters: John RaeLocation: Arctic
Script Reading Session — Crew reads Fatal Passage screenplay Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Studio
Historical Accuracy Debate — Discussions on factual representation Characters: John RaeLocation: Archive
Rae's Investigation Launch — John Rae begins uncovering truth Characters: John RaeLocation: Orkney
Fiction Meets Historical Inquiry
The narrative shifts to the production of the historical fiction film Fatal Passage. Concurrently, John Rae's factual investigation begins, featuring visits to Orkney and the Arctic to uncover physical evidence.
Key Events
Rae's Investigation Launch — John Rae begins uncovering truth Characters: John RaeLocation: Orkney
Orkney Location Visit — Crew visits places Rae knew Characters: John RaeLocation: Orkney
Arctic Expedition Footage — Visual exploration of harsh terrain Characters: John RaeLocation: Arctic
Inuit Cultural Interview — Experts discuss Inuit perspectives Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Arctic
Cannibalism Evidence Review — Analysis of crew remains Characters: John RaeLocation: Museum
Lady Franklin Campaign — Defense of husband's reputation Characters: Charles DickensLocation: London
Cultural Clash and Literary Claims
Expert interviews and Inuit perspectives challenge the widely accepted narratives. Charles Dickens' influential claims regarding Aboriginal responsibility face direct scrutiny from indigenous statesmen and historical evidence.
Key Events
Lady Franklin Campaign — Defense of husband's reputation Characters: Charles DickensLocation: London
Dickens' Literary Claims — Famous author's widely reported statements Characters: Charles DickensLocation: Library
Indigenous Challenge — Indigenous statesman disputes claims Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Arctic
Historical Paintings Display — Visual illustrations of the era Characters: John RaeLocation: Gallery
Fictional Scene Filming — Crew shoots incomplete historical scenes Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Set
Aboriginal Responsibility Debate — Core conflict over historical blame Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Studio
Reconciling Truth and Legacy
The film converges its dual storylines, blending fictional dramatization with documentary revelations. It concludes with a comprehensive historical assessment and the documentary's festival premiere.
Key Events
Aboriginal Responsibility Debate — Core conflict over historical blame Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Studio
Remains Discovery Details — Specific findings from the expedition Characters: John RaeLocation: Arctic
Reconciling Narratives — Blending fiction and documentary facts Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Studio
Documentary Narration — Walker narrates final conclusions Characters: John RaeLocation: Studio
Historical Verdict — Final assessment of the expedition Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Archive
Festival Screening — Audience engagement and reception Characters: John Rae, Charles DickensLocation: Toronto
Story Breakdown
Historical Expedition Context — Establishes the background of the doomed mission and the mystery of the Northwest Passage.
Doomed Mission Setup — Introduction to Franklin's lost expedition
Northwest Passage Route — Geographical and logistical challenges
Fictional Film Production — Details the behind-the-scenes creation of the historical fiction film Fatal Passage.
Script Reading Sessions — Crew collaborates on screenplay
Scene Filming Process — Shooting incomplete historical sequences
Documentary Investigation — Tracks the non-fiction journey to uncover factual evidence about the expedition.
Orkney Archive Visits — Researching historical records
Arctic Terrain Exploration — Visiting locations known to Rae
Cultural and Expert Perspectives — Integrates indigenous viewpoints and scholarly analysis into the narrative.
Inuit Cultural Insights — Local perspectives on the expedition
Cannibalism Evidence Review — Scientific examination of remains
Literary and Historical Debate — Examines the clash between popularized claims and empirical findings.
Dickens Authoritative Claims — Famous author's widely reported statements
Indigenous Statesman Challenge — Direct rebuttal of colonial narratives
Narrative Resolution and Premiere — Converges storylines and presents the final historical assessment.
Fact and Fiction Blend — Merging documentary and dramatic elements
Festival Screening Reception — Audience engagement at Hot Docs
With a unique blend of dramatic action and behind-the-scenes documentary footage, filmmaker John Walker shares the multi-layered story of British explorer Sir John Franklin and his crew of 128 men, who perished in the Arctic ice during an ill-fated attempt to discover the Northwest Passage, and John Rae, the Scottish doctor who in 1851, discovered their dismal fate. Rae's dark report, which described the crew’s madness and cannibalism, did not sit well with Sir John's widow, Lady Franklin, nor with many others in British society, including Charles Dickens. They waged a bitter public campaign to discredit Rae's version of events and mark an entire nation of northern Inuit with the label of murderous cannibals. A stunning face-to-face meeting between the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens and Tagak Curley, an honoured Inuit statesman who challenges the fraudulent history, vaults the story from the past into the present and we are witness to history in the making.
