Dating to the 1950s, this biography of Admiral Richard C. Byrd presents a pioneer in aviation, a scientist, a great explorer who challenges the unknown. As the narrator says, “His is a lifetime of danger and knowledge and this is his biography.”
He was one of the pioneers who traveled to the frozen wasteland of Antarctica, a barren world of eternal cold. Antarctica is seen at mark 1:43. It is vast, white, silence but even Richard loved the region. But most of all he loved the challenge. He is seen at mark 2:45. In 1904, he is the youngest cadet in Virginia Military Institute, one of three sons from a respected and old Virginia family, he is self reliant such that he’s been permitted trip all around the world by himself. This is seen from mark3:05. The idea of exploring has already rooted in his mind. He is also a quarterback in a football team as seen at mark 3:41 but he broke his ankle and his football career is over. He graduates in 1912 as seen at mark3:55 and his Navy career was temporarily over because of his leg. In World War I as seen at mark4:10 when there is a critical need for experience navy officers; he was recalled to duty where he talks of his ambition. It’s after the war that he sets out to fly over the North Pole by plane as seen at mark4:54.
At mark5:58, the dirigible Norge is seen with Roald Amundsen on board as they prepare for the exploring. Byrd and his crew with Floyd Bennett as his pilot prepared and now as seen at mark6:40 ready to risk the take off while carrying gasoline for the trip. At mark7:30, Byrd explored through the pole and exhilarated. At 2mins past nine on May 9, 1926, he realized his dream where he’s the first man to fly over the North Pole. At mark8:10, he arrived back where celebration begins and he was congratulated. He tells his pilot now we can fly over the Atlantic.
At mark8:38, he sailed to New York where he was given a mighty celebration as his wife was seen with him. At mark9:31, he joins friends and tests a plane, the America, a Fokker C-2 trimotor monoplane, for an attempted flight across the Atlantic. At mark10:12, the plane crashed when about to land and miraculously Byrd survived. Bennett is badly injured where the doctors says he may not recover. On May 20, 1927, Byrd offers a new craft to be work upon as seen at mark 10:43 though he still works on the America.
On June 30, 1927, the America carrying Byrd and his crew sets out to cross the Atlantic. At mark 11:50, the plane was force landed in France, and was a total wreck. The flight ended due to insufficient gasoline but the four men escaped injury. At mark 12:00, Byrd is again celebrated for his accomplishment. At mark 12:30, he is seen with his four children where he relaxes but his mind is miles away. At mark 13:07, Richard Byrd continues his expedition where he hopes to be the first man to fly over the South Pole. On Christmas day 1928, the ship reached its limit, 3 planes are to be used and dogs served as transport as seen at mark13:50. At mark14:04, they shaped a small city as habitat where they planned. At mark 14:35 is an underground which they had made. They planned and had spent almost a year in Antarctica and now at mark 15:10, he’s ready to fly. He carries a stone from the grave of his friend Floyd Bennet who died before the expedition. On Thanksgiving Day 1929 at mark15:41, Byrd made his flight over the mountain barrier where they reduce the loads of the plane. At 1:14pm on Thanksgiving Day, he and his men reached the South Pole. At mark16:40, his success was celebrated and within a month, the expedition is ready to leave Antarctica. But he’s resolved to continue his expedition. At mark17:43, he talks about his new expedition. He is seen at the Antarctica again at mark 18:45. He knows the terrain. The carbon monoxide in the bitter cold started poisoning him and making him weak where he becomes helpless. At mark 19:59, his men set out on rescue mission through the darkness and after days of hardship they got to him and thankfully, he is alive. The year and the work are done as he hopes to see his family and friends again mark 21:20. World War II is another expedition for him at mark 21:42. After the war in 1946, a US navy task force head for Antarctica with new improved technology for exploration as seen at mark 22:40 and others will continue his work of exploration. In 1955, 2 years before his death, he departs for his last expedition in the Antarctic. He explored many places than more in history.
