The Secret Land
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Secret Land |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1948 |
| length | 71 minutes |
| Rod | |
| script |
Harvey S. Haislip , William C. Park |
| production | Orville O. Dull |
| music | Bronislau caper |
| cut | Fredrick Y. Smith |
The Secret Land is an American documentary from the year 1948 .
action
The film documents Operation Highjump , a US Navy program to explore Antarctica . At the beginning, Navy Commander Chester W. Nimitz issues the orders to Admirals Richard E. Byrd and Richard H. Cruzen . The expedition consists of three groups. Group One is to explore and explore the landscape around the Little America base . Two other groups are to explore and map the coast to the east and west. The groups have to stick to a schedule in order to take advantage of the Antarctic summer.
Ships carry crews, scientific equipment and supplies to the base, including sleds and dogs. Rough seas prevent a landing on Scott Island . Despite the setback, the men on board the ships celebrate Christmas. Admiral Byrd's group, the central group, is dependent on an icebreaker to take them through the frozen Ross Sea . Meanwhile, the group that is supposed to explore the western coast reaches another island, from which initial explorations are started with flying boats. You can find the former warehouse of Robert Falcon Scott .
The central group is still struggling with the difficult circumstances. The accompanying submarine is damaged by ice floes, and the icebreaker frees it. The submarine is being sent to New Zealand . The western group waits for the icebreaker and studies penguins, seals and other animals of the Antarctic fauna. The central group arrives in Little America, unloads the scientific equipment and, aided by the midnight sun , builds a tent city and a runway. Byrd makes the first landing. A snow storm prevents further take-offs and landings. Through a hole, one of the men reaches an earlier station that has been covered in ice and snow. Because of the cold, the supplies are preserved there. Expedition planes explore the area, divers test newly developed cold water diving suits .
The eastern group has set up their quarters on the Balleny Islands . One discovers the Prince Charles Mountains and the snow-free Bunger Oasis . When the Antarctic summer ends, the fleet is trapped in the ice. An icebreaker frees the ships, which are now sailing towards home. Byrd and some volunteers remain in Little America for further aerial exploration.
It shows how dangerous the company was. A plane from the eastern group crashed. After two weeks of searching, the survivors were rescued. Three men did not survive the crash, one of the survivors lost both legs to frostbite. In the end, an icebreaker picks up Byrd and his men and brings them home.
background
The film was produced by the US Navy in collaboration with MGM . The premiere took place on August 13, 1948 in New York. The animated cards shown in the film were made by MGM cartoonist Fred Quimby . The film's voice actors were Robert Montgomery , Van Heflin and Robert Taylor .
The expedition used: an aircraft carrier, two destroyers, two seaplane suppliers, two tankers, two icebreakers, two support ships, a communication ship, a submarine, 26 aircraft and 30 helicopters. Approx. 5,000 people (scientists, soldiers, sailors, etc.) were on board the ships.
Reviews
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times described the color images as vivid and fascinating. The scope of the operation and its importance are clearly explained on excellent animated cards, the explanations are given competently by the narrators.
Awards
In 1949 the film was awarded an Oscar in the category Best Documentary .
Web links
- The Secret Land in the Internet Movie Database (English)