With Byrd at the South Pole

If you’ve ever seen “South” (1919) or “Endurance” (2000) about the Shackleton expedition to the South Pole in 1914, then you will have an idea as to what we are in for with this similar, though vastly technologically superior, trip to Antarctica. Ten years had passed since those earlier journeys and by now the boats were steam powered, electricity was available and they had a trio of aeroplanes on hand to assist with the surveying. That’s not so say that conditions were any more welcoming for American Admiral Richard Byrd as he assembled a team of enthusiasts to sail to the opposite end of the world before setting up camp amidst the seals and the penguins. Despite having a few more mod-cons, this was still a serious struggle for the group who endured over one hundred days of the winter darkness in their virtually subterranean lodgings, before emerging in the brief spring. An early setback with one of their flights reminded them (and us) that even the most modern and reliable of engineering is no match for a sudden blizzard, but with careful planning they ought to be able to achieve their goal - a flight to the interior and over the pole itself. This isn’t one of those films packed full of barking huskies and windswept scenarios, it is more a celebration of logistics, science and some impressive photography courtesy of two of Paramount studio’s finest cameramen (who were presumably on danger money). It is that imagery that keeps this going: the pristine location, the big-masted ships, the wildlife and their constant battle to keep the continent from reclaiming what they called “Little America”. In many ways it is not as exciting to watch as the previous depictions from this frozen wilderness, but it is still quite a compelling watch.