In EIGHT BELOW, scientist Davis McLaren arrives in Antarctica in search of a meteorite and embarks on an excursion led by guide Jerry. Also on the trip are Jerry's team of eight sled dogs and his human pal Cooper. When Davis falls into freezing water, the team has to rush him back to base. Then a powerful storm hits, and the guys must fly off and leave the dogs behind. Jerry is half delirious from his ordeal, unaware that they won't be able to come right back to retrieve his "family." And so the dogs' adventure begins. They must break loose from their tether, find food and shelter during the storm, and face down a fierce leopard seal. This goes on for some 175 days, while Jerry, stuck back in the States, looks for funding and means to get back to Antarctica to save them. - Common Sense Media