Nuclear Dynamite
Synopsis
In the 1950s, Edward Teller, the co-inventor of the H-bomb, proposed using “the great and violent power” of the atom bomb for peaceful purposes. Nuclear Dynamite explores the Soviet-American race to develop nuclear explosives for gigantic megaprojects. Scientists planned to harness the power of the bomb to launch huge spaceships, dig an instant harbor in Alaska, blast out oil and gas deposits, cut through mountain ranges, and dig a new Panama Canal with 300 explosions. More than 150 nuclear blasts were carried out between 1958 and 1988 before this extraordinary atomic dream was abandoned, undermined by the emergence of environmental movements and growing awareness of the dangers of radioactive fallout.
Produced by Face to Face Media Ltd. in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada, in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund created by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cable industry.
This donation consists of eleven banker boxes of interviews, footage, research and production notes, promotional materials, archival footage, and photographs pertaining to the creation of the 2000 documentary film Nuclear Dynamite. The film explores the history of Operation Ploughshare, a U.S. government effort to develop and utilize “peaceful nuclear explosions” for large-scale “Atoms for Peace” projects.
The documentary examines the debate between scientists and environmental activists concerning the potential health risks from low-level radiation released by “geographical engineering” projects proposed by Dr. Edward Teller, including Project Chariot, a proposed deep-water port near the Inupiat village of Point Hope, Alaska, and a proposed full-scale excavation of a new Panama Canal. A sidebar with physicist Freeman Dyson explores the intriguing prospect of a nuclear-powered rocket ship that could explore the solar system.
The film illustrates the popular debate in the 1950s, which included government films extolling the benefits of the “peaceful atom.” Over 80 hours of contemporary interviews and an equal amount of archival films are blended together in this award-winning broadcast documentary about the origins of the peace and environmental movements, nearly a decade before Rachel Carson’s publication of Silent Spring (1962), which highlighted the impact of chemical pesticides on food chains.
Nuclear Dynamite also brings together Russian and American physicists who pursued similar projects during the height of the Cold War. Meeting in Nevada 50 years later, they visit the Nevada Test Site and reflect on the promise and problems posed by this new technology. Rising public anxiety about the dangers of atom bombs and growing resistance to atmospheric testing led to an atmospheric test ban treaty in 1963, which ultimately put an end to Project Plowshare.
Additional Information
Length: 71:53 and 52:00
Original language: English
Production format: Beta SP (1.33:1) NTSC
Release format: Digital Betacam / Beta SP
Audio: Stereo (split tracks: Dialogue and M&E)
Close captioned: Yes
Completion date: May 1, 2000
Broadcast premiere: CBC The Nature of Things
Key Participants in Nuclear Dynamite
U.S. Scientists
Edward Teller, Director Emeritus, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLNL)
Milo D. Nordyke, Physicist, Plowshare Program, Consultant for International IAEA
Freeman Dyson, Professor Emeritus, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
Paul Kruger, Professor of Civil Engineering, Stanford University
Joseph B. Knox, Meteorologist, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Plowshare Program
Fred Holzer, LLNL Plowshare Energy and Resources Programs
John Gofman, Former Director of Biomedical Division, LLNL
Russian Scientists
Academician Victor N. Mikhailov, Deputy Minister of Atomic Energy (MinAtom)
Nikolay P. Voloshin, Head of Weapons Design, Ministry of Atomic Energy (MinAtom)
Evgeniy Avrorin, Physicist, Soviet Nuclear Weapons Designer
Vadim A. Simonenko, Deputy Scientific Director, Russian Federal Nuclear Center
Residents of Point Hope, Alaska
Elijah Attungana, Point Hope Elder
Joe Frankson, Point Hope Elder, Councilor
Rex Tuzroyluk, Elder and Leader, Point Hope
Earl Kingik, Wildlife Officer, Native Village of Point Hope
Activists
Barry Commoner, Professor of Plant Physiology, Organizer of the St. Louis Baby Tooth Survey
Keith Lawton, Episcopalian Minister, Point Hope
Ursula Franklin, Physicist, University of Toronto, Founding Member, National Organization of Women
Phyllis Margolick, Participant in the “Baby Teeth” Campaign, Opponent of Nuclear Testing
Awards
Gemini Award, Best Scientific or Environmental Program
Canada
Golden Dragon, Best Environmental Film
Beijing International Scientific Film Festival
Chris Award, Humanities Category
Columbus International Film and Video Festival
Gold Award
Houston International Film and Television Festival
Silver Certificate
Prix Leonardo Medical and Scientific Film Festival, Parma, Italy
Silver Plaque, Science Documentary
Chicago International Television Competition
Jury’s Honorable Mention
Millennium Scientific Film Festival, Szolnok, Hungary
Credits
Director/Writer
Gary Marcuse
Producers
Gary Marcuse and Betsy Carson
Producer for the National Film Board
Selwyn Jacob
Editor
Stuart de Jong
Director of Photography
Kirk Tougas
Music
Henry Heillig and the Heillig Manoeuvre
Narration
David Suzuki
Sound Recordists
Jeff Henschel
Gary Marcuse
Betsy Carson
Consultant
Dan O’Neill, author of The Firecracker Boys
Sound Supervisor
Gael MacLean
Sound Editors
Gina Mueller
Rusty Dunn
Re-Recording Mixer
Ewan Deane
Original Graphics
Carl Chaplin
Animation
Mark Rasmussen, Enigma Animation
Executive Producer for the NFB
Graydon McCrea
Executive Producer for the CBC
Michael Allder
Produced by Face to Face Media in co-production with the National Film Board, and in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Produced with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund
Licence Fee Program, Telefilm Canada: Equity Investment Program
Produced with the financial participation of Rogers Documentary Fund
Produced with the assistance of The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
Copyright
Face to Face Media Ltd., 2000
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