Camp Century: The Hidden City Beneath the Ice
How in 1959, during the heat of the Cold War, the government of the United States decided to create a secret military base located in the far north of Greenland: Camp Century, almost a real town with roads and houses, a nuclear plant to provide power and silos to house missiles aimed at the Soviet Union.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the fascinating and ambitious story of Camp Century, a secret U.S. military base built under the Greenland ice sheet during the Cold War. Initially conceived as a forward operating base for nuclear missiles, it evolved into a unique research outpost, housing hundreds of personnel and even a small nuclear reactor. The film delves into the engineering marvels, the scientific discoveries made, and the eventual abandonment of the base as the ice proved more dynamic than anticipated.
Critical Reception
As a documentary, critical reception is typically focused on its historical accuracy, storytelling, and presentation of archival footage and interviews. Information on this specific 2020 documentary's widespread critical reception is limited.
What Reviewers Say
- Focuses on the ambitious engineering and scientific goals of a Cold War secret project.
- Highlights the challenges of operating a base in extreme Arctic conditions and the unpredictable nature of the ice.
- Explores the historical context and geopolitical motivations behind the construction of Camp Century.
Google audience: Audience reviews for documentaries often praise compelling historical narratives and unique subject matter. Specific reviews for this title are not widely available.
Fun Fact
Camp Century was originally planned to house 600 intercontinental ballistic missiles, though it never actually deployed any.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources