JANUARY, 1957
COAST GUARD PATROL BOAT 'SOYA', WEIGHING 2497 TONS
HAS BYPASSED BAD WEATHER AND IS PROCEEDING TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
SHIOWA BASE, ONGU ISLAND
Shiowa Base is
the first base being built by the Japanese
during their participation in the International Geophysical Year
Here we have all the observation team members
and 19 Karafuto dogs, including one female.
In order to be successful in this campaign,
the team is staying in Antarctica during the winter.
This is also a fight against the harsh nature of Antarctica.
Hey, it's time for supper!
Here, Ricky.
Taro, here you go.
Good boy.
Here, Jiro.
Here, Furen.
Hey, Ankie, Taro.
You guys are spoiled too much!
Aren't you two supposed to be brothers?
And you grew up in Antarctica, too.
I want to set out at the beginning of October.
If we start too late, the ice might get too unstable.
Then we can't travel inland.
But looking at that engine,
we can't really get far.
The first car also needs to be fixed.
Ah, such poor performance.
The second team might bring a better sleigh.
Because we've already told them
what parts need to be upgraded.
I really want to get to Botsnnuten.
Because you've already arrived at Antarctica?
I can understand your feeling.
But looking at the observation team's previous missions,
we've already accomplished what we wanted.
Hey, Shiota.
What is it?
How much baggage can a dog sled pull?
Well...
If we are looking at something really heavy,
the standard should be around half the dog's weight.
If we choose 15 really strong dogs,
averaging 36 kilograms per dog,
then that should be...
27 kilograms.
Jiro - 34.5.
All right.
Mr Shiota, which dog should we weigh next?
- Taro. - Sure.
Let's take a photo with Taro, quickly.
Here, Taro, such a good boy.
Come on.
Okay, ready, come on.
It's decided that dog sleds should be used
to travel in Antarctica.
The team will set off from the base on the 16th of October
15 dogs have been picked to make
the strongest sled team possible.
Our goal is to
arrive at Botsnnuten, which is inland.
The team will survey its actual position, its elevation,
and its geology.
Akatsuk Shiota is responsible
for geology measurements and looking after the dogs.
Responsible for meteorology measurements,
is Ochi Kenjiro, who will also look after the dogs.
The one most experienced in mountaineering is Ozaki Yuzo.
These three have been chosen to be the team members.
Go...
Go on...
Ricky, go, Ricky.
Go...
Let's go...
Let's get moving.
Jake, come on.
We're almost there.
Keep going, it'll get easier once we get past this trough.
Good, doctor, keep pulling hard.
Are you okay?
Jake.
Good...
Good.
Jiro.
Good, hurry up, let's get moving.
Jiro, Oguma.
Good...
Good, let's make a stop...
Doctor, how are you doing?
Ochi,
If you don't change your socks soon you're going to get frostbite.
Of course.
Let's stop here...
We should already be on Padda Island by now.
That's strange, what’s that over there?
It's a whale.
It looks like the carcass has been pushed to the surface by the ice blocks.
God, what a mess.
Jake, do you know
what kind of noise this is?
It’s not the wind whistling, that's for sure.
That sounds like ice blocks collapsing
on each other.
What is it, are you nervous?
If you're worried by this,
how are you going to cope with the journey ahead of us?
The reason why I'm pushing you guys so hard,
is that I'm hoping you'll become tougher.
Here it is different than Japan. This is Antarctica.
Only the strongest can survive.
Got it?
I never expected such a harsh trainer like you
to have a soft side.
Oh come on,
I was just woken by the doctor's horrible snoring.
Then I heard that guy
whining outside.
I just couldn't help myself.
Me too.
If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have heard that.
The wind has picked up.
Go and check the guy lines. Then go back to sleep.
Okay, have a good night.
Go...
Go, Ricky, go on.
Ricky seems a little off.
Good, let's stop here...
Stop, now...
Let's put Jiro at the front to lead the team.
Sure.
Terry should stay back too.
Move Furen and Taro to the front.
Right.
Go...
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
Stop here...
- Ochi. - What is it?
One of the dogs is bleeding.
Which one is it?
It's Taro.
Is it serious?
Not really.
Can't believe that Jiro is hurt too.
Good, time to pull, move it.
Pull harder.
Come, let's hurry up.
Let's start pulling.
Hurry and pull.
Let's get moving.
Good, stop here.
Let's stop here...
Okay, stop...
All right, Furen's stronger. Let's move him to the lead.
It should be okay,
shouldn't it?
Go...
Let's stop.
Goro, what is it?
Aren't you the most experienced in the team?
Come on, let's push it.
Ochi.
It's my turn.
Okay.
Time to go.
Get ready.
Pull...
Okay, stop.
Good, we are going downhill from now on.
Ochi, let's go.
Excellent.
- Doctor? - Okay.
Good, let's go.
- Ochi, let's be careful. - Right.
Doctor.
Stop here...
Goro, are you okay?
It's all because you haven't
run fast enough.
Hey, how are you doing?
I'm fine.
I wasn't asking you, I was asking the dogs.
The dogs and I are fine.
Go...
Come... let's go...
Let's stop...
It's time to eat!
Come.
Hey, Whitey, do you want some of this?
Go ahead and eat!
Thanks.
This is our food.
A young guy like yourself must be starving.
Damn, this is hard going.
But it's okay, I can put up with it
because this is Antarctica, the land of my dreams.
Good, we're almost there.
- Hey. - Yes?
- Can you bring Goro over here? - Of course.
Goro, Goro’s leaving.
Goro...
Go...
Goro...
What do you want?
Don't you know who's feeding you?
Come on.
Go... Goro.
Come on, let's go.
Come on, let's go, come on.
Come on, move! So useless.
Let's go! Such a useless mutt.
Goro...
Goro, hurry up and come back.
Hurry up and come back.
If you don't, we'll leave you.
Please, come back here.
Please, I beg of you.
Don't you remember who feeds you?
Please, I'm begging you.
You get it now, don't you?
You seem to understand me.
Come on, let's go.
Let's get on, follow my lead, Goro.
Go...
Hurry...
Very good...
Very good... Go...
What is it?
Botsnnuten...
Wait.
This is something...
written by the students
from Hokkaido University, who were given the huskies for training
and Mr Moriwa.
Let's put them all in.
Okay, that's good.
On the road back from Botsnnuten,
The expedition is surrounded by a very thick fog.
In such a windless environment,
their vision is entirely lost.
The world becomes white.
The eyes of the three team members
are all damaged by strong ultraviolet rays.
They contract snow blindness as a result.
The expedition did not bring any radio transmitters
due to weight constraints.
They are as good as dead.
Hey, let's stop here. Ochi, are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I can't believe that the team has been stopped by snow blindness.
How stupid of us.
Mr Shiota.
What is it?
Can you see anything at all?
Only a bit.
Where are we now?
We left almost two hours ago.
I think we should be somewhere,
like twenty to thirty kilometres away from the base.
Only if the dogs are on the right track.
What can you see?
Nothing, the fog’s too thick. Can't really see anything.
I was just thinking.
What is it?
We should cut Taro and Jiro loose here.
Right here?
Yes.
I think if we let them go back to the base,
Chief Ozawa will send us a rescue team.
But the priority is that
those two need to get back to the base safely.
I think they'll be fine.
Do you really think so?
Mr Shiota.
I understand your feeling, but...
I agree with Ochi's opinion.
If Taro and Jiro couldn't find their way,
we would have been lost a long time ago.
If that's the case,
It would be the same if we let them go.
It's decided, then.
Okay then, let's do this.
Taro, good.
Good, go on now.
Taro and Jiro were brought to Antarctica when they were puppies,
a pair of siblings who grew up on the base.
Taro, Jiro.
Mr Ozawa.
Such good boys.
Ochl, is everything fine?
His condition is serious.
Are you guys all right?
Ozaki, are you okay?
I'm doing fine.
Why don't you guys ride the sleighs back to base?
Leave the dogs to us.
We're hoping to get back to the base
with the dogs all together.
Where’s the SOYA, hasn't it arrived already?
SOYA can't move, sir.
Mr Ochi, are you okay?
Yes, I'm fine.
My eyes are just stinging from the cigarette smoke.
But isn't it great?
You three are doing fine.
Hey, good news.
Whitey's just had pups.
That's great.
Are they out already?
Still can't get too close to them yet.
At the end of December, 1957.
The SOYA entered the glacier carrying
the second observation team.
But when the new year arrived,
the weather had worsened considerably.
The SOYA was stuck inside the pack ice
and couldn't get close to the base.
By February, the SOYA finally called
the USA icebreaker BARTON for help.
Sleigh? What did you say about the sleigh?
BARTON,
We are stranded and require urgent assistance.
BARTON? You said BARTON, what is it?
Hello...
What is it with the BARTON now?
Magnetic storm again?
Yes.
Chief.
Did he mean that
the BARTON is stranded in a dangerous area?
It sounds like it. Yes.
Am I hearing right?
Even the BARTON is unable to move.
It looks like that
this team isn't able to move either.
Taro...
- I'll go and get him. - Good.
Wait a second.
Mr Shiota.
If he goes on acting like this,
the guy who is in charge of the dogs on the second team
is going to have a hard time.
Good.
Alright.
Should we take a photo? Yes or no?
Come on everybody, let's gather outside,
The Shiowa has arrived.
We're safe now.
Hey.
Hurry up and lead the plane here.
Is it here?
Hey, we've been waiting a long time.
Hey.
We've waited long enough.
It’s here...
Hey...
Hey.
Great!
Mr Nonomiya.
This has been a rough year for you.
I get to see you at last.
How is Mr Horigome?
He's fine.
To be honest, it has been decided that
everyone in this place needs to leave today.
Leave?
You're not waiting until someone else takes over?
This is the same as abandoning the base and retreating.
This decision had been made after Chief Horigome,
Captain Iwakiri and the planning headquarters discussed the issue.
It's been decided.
I'm sorry, but can you all please hurry?
I'll be at your assistance.
Unfortunately, we can only withstand this type of weather for one day.
We'll transport the equipment with a beaver plane.
Three of the team members will go with it at the same time.
Hasegawa and Take will stay.
And they'll be responsible for communication and machinery.
Please hurry and pack up, everyone.
Ikeuchi, why don't you go with them?
Sure.
Come on.
Good, it's decided then.
Act fast, there isn't much time.
Each person can only bring luggage up to 45 kilograms.
Okay.
Be good, boy.
Ankle, I'll treat you very well.
Good boy.
Taro, Ankle.
Taro, hey.
Taro, Ankle.
Ankle, come here.
Taro, even at the last minute,
you're still giving me trouble.
Good, Jiro, listen up.
From now on
you can't treat your new boss like you did to me or Ochi.
Ankle.
Ankle, stop here...
Stop here...
Mr Shiota, you have to check
these collars thoroughly.
When the second team comes,
it would be embarrassing if the dogs were loose.
Good point.
Good boy... good...
You like to bite.
Can't really do that from now on.
You must behave nicely like Jiro.
Got it?
Be good.
Good.
Please act quickly.
Mr Shiota, please hurry up.
Mr. Ochi.
COAST GUARD PATROL BOAT SOYA
US ICEBREAKER BARTON
Thank you very much...
Second and third observation team,
assemble on the deck.
The landing deck is ready.
The plane has landed.
Thank you.
Please, please come over here.
Where are the dog handlers,
Mr Tokumitsu and Mr Toda?
The chances of the weather getting any better now look slim.
My advice is that you should not stay for the winter.
No way, we're here
to replace the observation team.
We're not giving up.
Kamikaze spirit?
No, I'm afraid you're wrong.
We're only saying
that we’ll try to make the most of the last chances we have,
taking everything into account.
These are such fine documents.
A dog who likes to bite people?
This one is the leader, Ricky.
This one here's a loner, Oguma Furen.
Can I really keep these?
Sure, this is what the documents are for.
Really?
Thanks very much, I'll look after them.
Anything else I should be paying attention to?
Watch the collars.
Collars?
Yes, the collars should never be removed.
Hasegawa and Take, I'm worried about you two.
Mr Hasegawa, thank you for you work.
Thanks, I know it was tough work.
Seriously. Really, thank you.
I repeat, hurry up and take in Shiowa.
About the base...
How are the other dogs?
The second observation team will proceed as planned.
It's okay to leave the dogs there.
How about their food?
I left each of the dogs
enough dried herring and sardines to last them a few days.
This dog and her pups are pilots.
We dumped the reserve fuel in order to bring them over.
Attention, at seven in the morning this ship and the BARTON
will retreat to the open sea temporarily.
Once the weather gets better we will return to the glacier.
The SOYA, which went to the open sea in order to evade the storm,
is now back at the glacier,
trying hard to bring the second observation team
to the base.
The explosives are ready.
Do it.
Let's go back at full speed.
Engines at full speed.
Mr Shiota.
I want to talk to you about the collars.
We shouldn't have tightened their collars
because of something like this maybe happening.
If Ankle couldn't get the collars loose in time...
- Ochi. - Yes.
It'll clear up, it should be in time.
It'll clear up for sure.
Although you're so confident,
These ice blocks are huge.
They haven't broken at all.
Engines proceed slowly.
It should be okay this way.
Attention, crew members of the SOYA
and the observation team,
I'm sorry to say that
the weather is not getting better.
In addition, the SOYA has reached its full capabilty.
We must terminate the mission of
the second observation team.
The Shiowa base must be abandoned at once.
At noon today,
The SOYA will withdraw its mission regarding the glacier,
and head back.
Like every one of you,
I did my best to accomplish this mission.
Nevertheless, we have done all we can do.
Mr Shiota.
All our efforts have been wasted.
I'm sorry.
We've been through
everything all along,
we should encourage each other now, and go back to our country.
Captain.
He’s in the map room.
Captain, you...you're giving up on the dogs?
Ochi, please stop.
We've done our best.
Please, two more trips.
Please let the Shiowa go two more times.
Then we can bring back all the dogs.
It’s impossible in this weather.
Then we’ll fly there once.
Can we let the plane fly once more?
Flying once is not enough.
The dogs' total weight exceeds 500 kilograms.
I'm going anyway.
I'll poison them.
There's no other way to be responsible.
Your name is Mr Shiota, right?
If we don't terminate the mission today,
then we're going against orders from headquarters.
Moreover...
Moreover?
This ship is short of fresh water.
We can't waste
any more fuel for the water generator.
Shiota.
The blades and the rudder are damaged.
The SOYA is in a bad shape, and there is no more fuel.
Even returning to Cape Town is no easy task.
Please think sensibly.
It's not fair to the crew members.
Drinking water?
If there’s no drinking water,
then there’s nothing left to do.
Mr Shiota.
I...
I should give this back to you.
Actually, we are carrying something very important here.
This is what the fans of Karafuto all over the nation
gave us to decorate the dogs' home.
We're leaving.
Good.
Have a shave, it will freshen you up a bit.
Mr Shiota.
There’s nothing I can do.
What do you think I can do?
The first to break the chain was Ankle.
The second one was Jake.
Then it was the leader, Ricky, who broke free from his collar.
Then came Jiro.
Whitey was free at last.
The loose dogs have returned to the base.
Brothers Taro and Jiro
have always stayed together.
Ricky and other dogs explored inside the base
in order to look for people.
Bess, Moses and the others
also went down.
The leader of the dogs, Ricky,
brought Ankle, Jake, Whitey, and Jiro
outside of the base to look for food.
Oguma Furen had taken off also.
Taro and Oguma followed
the tracks of their team.
Then Jiro appeared.
Jiro came back because he did not want to leave Taro.
(Ricky)
(Jake)
(Ankle)
(Whitey)
(Oguma Furen)
(Taro)
(Jiro)
The dogs tried hard to find food.
The last one is here.
Terry broke free from the chain at last.
He followed his team.
Then they all came together.
The chasms of the glacier
are everywhere on the ice field.
From these gaps we can see the darkness of the sea.
These gaps open and close
according to the currents of the sea.
The creatures in the water
will be pulled up to the ice field because of this force.
There they would freeze.
Ricky and Oguma Furen,
both knew that.
However, the edges around the gaps
are very dangerous.
(Terry, six years old, born in Asahkawa)