The 1930s were marked by brilliant advances in physics. By 1939, and the outbreak of World War II, British and American scientists knew that it might be possible to release the energy locked in the atom, with a new type of bomb. One of the questions uppermost in their minds was, 'Will the Germans get there first? '
This documentary record of the scientific and technological steps that led to the dropping of the first A-bomb includes interviews with scientists from both sides of the struggle, some who have died since the film was first shown ten years ago. When the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima scientists realised for the first time the complexity of the issues involved.
The dilemmas they faced are the dilemmas that still face scientists whose theoretical scientific research may be used to produce new weapons.
' There are passionate arguments - they do not persuade me one way or the other. At the time, the alternative campaign of invasion was certainly much more terrible for everyone concerned. (However) I think that Hiroshima was far more costly in life and suffering and more inhumane than it need have been for being an effective argument for ending the war. This is easy to say after the fact.'
(J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER )
Among those taking part are Professor Otto Frisch General Leslie Groves
Professor Werner von Heisenberg J. Robert Oppenheimer Dr Edward Teller
Narrator RENÉ CUTFORTH
Producer ROBERT REID