Q:Build a movie plot around this: Why is helicopter crash? Fuel runs out
A:
The title and credits are shown over a panning aerial view of the frozen landscape of Antarctica. We open with a shot of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Capt. Burnham (Douglas Kennedy) is standing before a map of Antarctica. He describes it as, "Five million square miles of terra incognita." The assembled naval personnel are told their assignment is to facilitate the U.S. navy's geographical and meteorological mapping operations. They are also to explore a warm oasis surrounded by ice. Capt. Burnham greets Miss Margaret Hathaway (Shirley Patterson, credited as Shawn Smith). Maggie is a reporter with Oceanic Press. She apologizes for arriving late to the briefing. She is introduced to the other members of the expeditionary team. Commander Alan Roberts (Jock Mahoney) is a Geophysicist and the helicopter pilot is Lt. Jack Carmen (William Reynolds). She sits with the two for the final part of the briefing. [Note: the credits indicate Jock Mahoney's character is Harold or Hal, but he is addressed as Alan.]The ship departs for Antarctica. They approach the ice blocked coast of the Ross Ice Pack. The unexpected volume of ice will put the expedition two weeks behind schedule. Jack, Maggie, Steve Miller (Phil Harvey) and Alan Roberts depart from the ship in the helicopter. The weather report given to Captain Burnham indicates an approaching storm. He orders Lt. Jack Carmen to return at once. They spot the warm region of Antarctica. They get the call to return to base. Jack looks for a break in the clouds to get through the passing storm. A passing pterodactyl buzzes the helicopter and damages the collective control. They descend below sea level and the temperature rises. The temperature rapidly climbs to 91 degrees at 2500 feet below sea level. They finally break through the clouds and land in a tree lined landscape in the fog. Steve Miller is the mechanic and inspects the helicopter for damage. He discovers that the push-pull tube assembly has been damaged. Until or unless this can be fixed, they are stuck.Alan and...