The Secret Land (1948) | Operation High Jump

"The Secret Land," a 1948 documentary feature produced by Orville O. Dull and released by MGM, chronicles Operation Highjump, a significant U.S. Navy expedition to Antarctica during 1946-47. Led by renowned polar explorer Richard E. Byrd, the expedition deployed 13 ships and 4700 men in three separate squadrons, each dedicated to exploring and surveying distinct areas of the continent. The documentary captures the challenges faced by the fleet, including the harsh Antarctic environment with high winds and massive ice floes posing threats to Byrd's ships. Tragedy strikes as a plane on a surveying mission disappears in adverse weather conditions. The film features three different narrators—Robert Montgomery, Robert Taylor, and Van Heflin—each narrating a specific aspect of the expedition. Despite its factual nature, Operation Highjump has attracted various conspiracy theories, particularly surrounding alleged Nazi bases at the South Pole, gaining interest from unconventional perspectives.