First Pictures of Britain’s Bomb

Series

Series Name: British Movietone News

Issue

Issue No.

1227A

Date Released

11 Dec 1952

Date submitted

5 Dec 1952

Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 3

Summary

MOVIETONE CARD TITLE: Monte Bello Atom Bomb - Short Version. DESCRIPTION: It was among the desolate, little-known Monte Bello group of islands that Britain’s first atomic bomb was exploded. For the test, the bomb was placed in the Frigate, HMS Plym. Dr Penney (who has since been awarded a knighthood) with Admiral Torlesse, directed the scientific side of the experiment. SHOTLIST: Shot of the American [sic] Atom Bomb exploding & coming up mushroom shape. MONTE BELLO ATOM BOMB (1st British) - CARD 58214. Cut story - KS. Aerial of islands. More aerials of Monte Bello, showing type of country. MS Aircraft Carrier Campania. MS Narvia. CU nameplate. Unloading supplies on Monte Bello. Shots of RAAF laying roads. Shots of Anderson shelters and concrete blocks to show effects of bomb. Scientists leaving island. Boarding ship. MS HMS Tracker underway. Aboard ship with Rear Admiral Torlesse. Interior shots of control room, showing scientists at various controls. Dial ticking off seconds. Explosion optical. Clouds from bomb arising. Dr Penney turns round and looks at smoke in background. Men on board Campania looking at smoke rising. Various shots of smoke rising.

Keywords

Ships and boats; Environment; Weapons; Aviation; Science and technology; Explosions; Safety devices; Civil defence; Navy; Military; Nuclear energy

Locations

Monte Bello

Footage sources

Library
Ministry of Supply

Card file number

58235

Credits:

Commentator: Leslie Mitchell

Length of story (in feet)

300

Story extras:

Film clip

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