The Great Achievement (1958)
A landmark New Zealand documentary capturing the nation's pivotal role in Antarctic exploration during one of history's most daring polar expeditions.
The Great Achievement - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1958
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 9, 1958 (New Zealand)
- Production Companies: New Zealand National Film Unit
- Production Countries: New Zealand
The Great Achievement - Plot
A documentary about New Zealanders in Antarctica: researching International Geophysical Year, and supporting the Trans-Antarctic Expedition by laying supply depots for Vivian Fuchs' overland crossing.
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The Great Achievement - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Edmund Hillary
- Peter Latham
- Peter Read
Writers
- Oxley Hughan
The Great Achievement - FAQs
What is The Great Achievement about?
The Great Achievement documents New Zealand's remarkable contribution to Antarctic exploration during the International Geophysical Year. It follows the team as they conduct scientific research and lay vital supply depots to support Vivian Fuchs' historic overland crossing of the Antarctic continent.
Is The Great Achievement based on a true story?
Yes, absolutely. This documentary captures real events from the late 1950s, when New Zealand played a crucial supporting role in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Edmund Hillary himself appears in the film, lending it an extraordinary firsthand authenticity that few historical documentaries can match.
Who is Edmund Hillary in The Great Achievement?
Edmund Hillary, already world-famous for conquering Everest in 1953, led the New Zealand component of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. He appears in this documentary as himself, having famously driven his team to the South Pole in modified farm tractors — a feat that stunned the world.
Did Edmund Hillary reach the South Pole in this expedition?
Yes. Though his official mission was to lay supply depots for Vivian Fuchs, Hillary pushed on to the South Pole on January 4, 1958, becoming the first person to reach it overland since Robert Falcon Scott in 1912. It was an extraordinary, if controversial, decision that made headlines worldwide.
When was The Great Achievement released?
The Great Achievement was released on September 9, 1958, in New Zealand. The film arrived shortly after the conclusion of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, capturing public enthusiasm for the nation's polar achievements while the adventure was still fresh in the collective memory.
How long is The Great Achievement?
The Great Achievement runs for 32 minutes. As a short documentary produced by the New Zealand National Film Unit, it delivers a focused and compelling account of the Antarctic mission without overstaying its welcome — concise, purposeful, and historically rich.
Who made The Great Achievement documentary?
The Great Achievement was produced by the New Zealand National Film Unit, the country's government-backed production body responsible for many landmark documentary and newsreel works of the era. Oxley Hughan served as writer and editor, with cinematography by Derek Wright.
What are similar documentaries to The Great Achievement?
If you enjoy polar and exploration documentaries, you might love March of the Penguins (2005), Encounters at the End of the World (2007), Antarctica: An Adventure of a Different Nature (1991), Erebus: Operation Overdue (2014), and Antarctica: Alien Secrets Beneath the Ice (2019) — all compelling journeys into the frozen south.
More About The Great Achievement
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