Fusion: The Energy Promise

The Holy Grail of modern physics is Fusion -- the dream of unlocking all that stored nuclear power in the sea to produce inexhaustible energy. When will it happen and why has it taken so long? In an attempt to crack the problem in time for the next Energy Crisis but one, the scientists of 17 nations are now working at it.

So far, the effort has cost the world £400 million and taken a quarter of a century. Horizon examines the promise in that investment and takes a look at the chequered history of fusion research. Which nation will be first to build a working fusion reactor? The Great Reactor Race has had some surprising contenders.

Narrator: WILLIAM FRANKLYN
Film editor: MARTIN WINTERTON
Editor: BRUCE NORMAN
Producers: MICK JACKSON , STUART HARRIS