Scott Base, New Zealand's main Antarctic research centre, was built in 1957. The year before there had been a trial run in Wellington, when the prefabricated parts were fitted together. The location for Scott Base, Pram Point, was chosen when sea ice prevented access to the first choice (Butter Point). Once a location was decided, building the base sped along: the site was levelled on 9 January, the first building was up five days later, and the official opening was on 20 January. Over the next 50 years Scott Base would house 10,000 people. This film shows the construction process; in the final section, project leader Edmund Hillary can be seen at work.