Foothold on Antarctica

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Movie
Original title Foothold on Antarctica
Country of production Great Britain
original language English
Publishing year 1957
length 21 minutes
Rod
Director Derek Williams
script Derek Williams
production James Carr
music John Hollingsworth
camera Derek Williams
cut David Howes

Foothold on Antarctica is a 1957 British short film directed by Derek Williams .

action

In November 1954, sets Theron of London gen Antarctica from - the beginning of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition , attended by Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary participates. The long-term goal is the first crossing of Antarctica via the South Pole . In addition to 19 people, there are also 24 huskies on board and some puppies that were born on the ship. Via Africa it goes to Brazil to the equator and finally to South Georgia . From there, Antarctica is approached.

On the fourth day of this trip, the first ice floes appear, which eventually develop into massive pack ice. After three days in the ice, it is December 24th, the Theron gets stuck in the ice. There are still 1000 miles to the planned anchorage. It takes a month for the ship to free itself from the pack ice, with a floatplane being used, among other things, to inspect the area. The researchers went ashore in Antarctica one month late. The temperatures are already starting to drop and a blizzard interrupts the unloading work for 24 hours. As planned, eight researchers remain behind to build the so-called Shackleton Base , from which the expedition through Antarctica is to start next year.

production

Foothold on Antarctica was produced by World Wide Pictures and the British Petroleum Company , which also provided the film equipment. This was part of their contribution to the expedition, as the film leader writes. Derek Williams took part in the expedition as a cameraman. He also directed, wrote the screenplay and commented on the film. Foothold on Antarctica was first published in 1957.

Awards

Foothold on Antarctica received a BAFTA nomination for Best Documentary in 1957 and was nominated for an Oscar in 1958 for Best Short Film.

Web links