On the Spring Ice (1975)

Walrus as well as whales are hunted by the Eskimos of Gambell on St. Lawrence Island. As the film opens, an old man tells of the dangers of moving ice, how people used to drift on such ice and never return. A cluster of men stand on a snowy rooftop, scanning the sea ice for walrus, when one spots a skin boat in distress far out on the ice. The crew had not come home the night before, and now were drifting toward Siberia. Long ago, there was nothing that could have been done to save them. Today, the men call the Coast Guard. The next day, preparations for another walrus hunt are made. The hunters load the boat and travel fifty miles out to sea, where they spot two walrus sunning themselves on an ice floe. "Don't move," one hunter tells the camera. The walrus are shot, admired, butchered on the ice, and loaded onto the boat. Back in the village, the meat is cut again and hung to dry.

Director: Sarah Elder, Leonard Kamerling
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 46 min
Release Date:
Country: United States of America
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Sarah Elder, Leonard Kamerling
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is On the Spring Ice about?
Walrus as well as whales are hunted by the Eskimos of Gambell on St. Lawrence Island. As the film opens, an old man tells of the dangers of moving ice, how people used to drift on such ice and never return. A cluster of men stand on a snowy rooftop, scanning the sea ice for walrus, when one spots a skin boat in distress far out on the ice. The crew had not come home the night before, and now were drifting toward Siberia. Long ago, there was nothing that could have been done to save them. Today, the men call the Coast Guard. The next day, preparations for another walrus hunt are made. The hunters load the boat and travel fifty miles out to sea, where they spot two walrus sunning themselves on an ice floe. "Don't move," one hunter tells the camera. The walrus are shot, admired, butchered on the ice, and loaded onto the boat. Back in the village, the meat is cut again and hung to dry.
Who directed On the Spring Ice?
On the Spring Ice was directed by Sarah Elder, Leonard Kamerling.
How long is On the Spring Ice?
On the Spring Ice has a runtime of 46m (46 minutes).
What genre is On the Spring Ice?
On the Spring Ice is a Documentary film.
Where was On the Spring Ice produced?
On the Spring Ice was produced in United States of America.