The Secret Land (1948)
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- Passed
- 1h 11min
- Documentary
- 22 Oct 1948 (USA)
- Movie
The 1946-1947 U.S. military expedition to explore and map Antarctica, led by Admiral Richard E. Byrd, is presented from its planning stages through its successful completion.
Writers:
Award:
- Won 1 Oscar.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Robert Montgomery | ... |
Self - Narrator (voice)
(as Comdr. Robert Montgomery U.S.N.R.)
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| Robert Taylor | ... |
Self - Narrator (voice)
(as Lt. Robert Taylor U.S.N.R.)
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| Van Heflin | ... |
Self - Narrator (voice)
(as Lt. Van Heflin A.A.F. Ret.)
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| James Forrestal | ... |
Self
(as Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal)
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| Chester W. Nimitz | ... |
Self
(as Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester W. Nimitz)
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| Richard E. Byrd | ... |
Self
(as Admiral Byrd)
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Richard Cruzen | ... |
Self
(as Admiral Cruzen)
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Robert S. Quackenbush | ... |
Self
(as Captain Quackenbush)
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George J. Dufek | ... |
Self
(as Captain George Dufek)
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Paul A. Siple | ... |
Self
(as Dr. Siple)
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Charles W. Thomas | ... |
Self
(as Captain Thomas)
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Vernon D. Boyd | ... |
Self
(as Captain Boyd)
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Charles A. Bond | ... |
Self
(as Captain Bond)
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David E. Bunger | ... |
Self
(as Commander David E. Bunger)
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John E. Clark | ... |
Self
(as Captain Clark)
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John D. Howell | ... |
Self
(as Commander Howell)
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William Kearns | ... |
Self
(as Lieutenant j.g. Bill Kearns)
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Ralph LeBlanc | ... |
Self
(as Lieutenant j.g. Frenchie LeBlanc)
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Henry H. Caldwell | ... |
Self
(as Captain Caldwell)
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Owen McCarty | ... |
Self
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William Warr | ... |
Self
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James H. Robbins | ... |
Self
(as Shorty Rogers)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Richard E. Byrd Jr. | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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R. Moore | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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William C. Park | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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Written by
| Harvey S. Haislip | ... | (commentary) (as Capt. Harvey S. Haislip U.S.N. Ret.) & |
| William C. Park | ... | (commentary) (as Comdr. William C. Park U.S.N.R.) |
Produced by
| Orville O. Dull | ... | producer |
Music by
| Bronislau Kaper | ||
Editing by
| Fredrick Y. Smith | ... | (as Comdr. Fredrick Y. Smith U.S.N.R.) |
Sound Department
| Douglas Shearer | ... | recording director |
Animation Department
| Don Patterson | ... | animator (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Harold Byrns | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Robert Franklyn | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1948) (United States) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1948) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1950) (Denmark) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- U.S. Navy (we gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to: which made possible the presentation of this authentic film of the Navy's recent expedition "Operation Highjump" to the Secret Land of Antarctica)
- Western Electric (sound system)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
This documentary, filmed entirely by military photographers, recounts the U.S. Navy's 1946-47 expedition to Antarctica, known as Operation Highjump. The expedition was under the overall command of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, no stranger to the Antarctic. This was a large undertaking involving thirteen ships and over four thousand men. The fleet departed from Norfolk, Virginia traveling through the Panama Canal and then southward to their final destination. The trip through the ice pack was fraught with danger and forced the submarine that was part of the fleet to withdraw. The trip was a success meeting all of its scientific goals. The film is narrated by three Hollywood stars, all of whom served in the US Navy: Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery and Van Heflin. Written by garykmcd |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Box Office
| Budget | $216,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Admiral Richard E. Byrd's fourth Antarctic expedition, code-named "Highjump", from August 1946 to February 1947 involved 13 ships, over 4,000 men, 50 cameras and 40 vehicles. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Movies Are Adventure (1948). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Anchors Aweigh See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The opening credits include the following: "Starring Men and Ships of U.S. Navy" "Photographed by Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army Cameramen" See more » |
| Quotes |
Self - Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal:
[explaining the reason for the enterprise]
There is only one untouched reservoir of raw materials left in the world and that is in the region known as Antarctica, an area larger than the combined area of the United States and Europe. The American government is sending a naval expedition to that region. The purpose is to train our Navy in polar operations so that it may better perform its function of preserving the peace upon the seven seas of the world. Beyond that, the American government is seeking to do its share in the discovery and release to the world of the unknown treasures of Antarctica, in the interests of all mankind. See more » |