Movietone’s War Time News - Reported by Leslie Mitchell: Malta in Reverse - Pantelleria’s Eclipse

Series

Series Name
British Movietone News

Issue

Issue No.
733
Date Released
21 Jun 1943
Date submitted
17 Jun 1943
Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue
4 / 4
Section Title
Movietone’s War Time News - Reported by Leslie Mitchell
Summary
MOVIETONE CARD TITLE: Malta in Reverse - Pantelleria Eclipse. DESCRIPTION: Despite terrifying odds the island of Malta held out against the Axis and now the situation is being reversed as the Allies pound Pantelleria. After five days of bombing and pounding from ships an infantry force was ready to make a landing. A few hours later Pantelleria and Lampedusa offered unconditional surrender. SHOTLIST: Cut story - Various shots of the bombing of Malta, aerial shots of bombing. Merchant ship entering harbour, above is Library material. Map of ‘Pants’, Lampedusa & Malta. Eisenhower & Cunningham walk up gangway, boarding the "Aurora". Bows of cruiser cutting the water & sending up fine spray, taken from ships deck. GS of four cruisers under way side by side. LS of Pantelleria. Over camera shot of formation of bombers, (Fortresses). Various shots of cruisers firing their guns, broadside. Several shots of the guns only. Bombs falling on airfield - this small piece is also Lib. material. Clouds of smoke rising from island of Lampedusa. Shell fire from island (unseen) but the shells can be seen falling near warships. Also more of bombs. Shot of smoke screen taken inside smoke screen, very effective. Map of Sicilian Straits, various shots of destroyers. Sailors giving ‘V’ sign, GS of pair of pants at masthead, also at half mast. Finish on SV of destroyer at speed very good. Various shots of ALC’s off islands. GS of island of Pantelleria & "Aurora" just off coast. Eisenhower on board "Aurora" received by Captain. LS of warship in line ahead. Cunningham & Eisenhower on bridge. GS of ALC’s & landing craft assembling off coast. Short piece of night firing, & star shells. Sailors fire AA guns. GS of landing convoy as dusk falls. Various shots of destroyers. Few shots of cruisers leaving Pantelleria. Shots of bombardment. CU of destroyers funnel as it lays smoke screen.
Keywords
Buildings and structures; Ships and boats; Environment; Weapons; Aviation; Explosions; War damage; Navy; Fashion and costume; Military
Locations
Straits of Messina
Footage sources
Gaumont
British Paramount
Card file number
43787
Credits:
Commentator
Leslie Mitchell
Length of story (in feet)
247
Story extras:
Film clip

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Film Archive

Name
AP Archive
Email
info@aparchive.com
Web
http://www.movietone.com
Phone
+44 (0)20 7482 7482
Series held
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How to cite this record

'Movietone’s War Time News - Reported by Leslie Mitchell: Malta in Reverse - Pantelleria’s Eclipse', British Movietone News Issue No. 733, 21 Jun 1943. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/newsonscreen/search/index.php/story/12744 (Accessed 01 Feb 2025)