The Woomera Atomic Test

Series

Series Name
British Movietone News

Issue

Issue No.
1285A
Date Released
21 Jan 1954
Date submitted
1 Jan 1954
Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue
1 / 3
Summary
MOVIETONE CARD TITLE: The Woomera Atomic Test. DESCRIPTION: Deep in the backlocks of Australia, far beyond Woomera itself, scientific preparations, directed by Sir William Penney were carried out. After a wait of ten days, the right weather conditions prevailed to allow the Atomic explosion to take place. Pictures just released (for security reasons) reveal the full fury of Britain’s latest Atomic weapon. SHOTLIST: Cut story - KS. Spiral of smoke from bomb shot across, wild trackless country. Lorry on journey carrying supplies. Australian flag flying. Interior - scientists etc. seated around table completing arrangements. Wipe. Shot of tower constructed especially to hold bomb. Dr Penney arrives from plane. Dons shady bush hat. Plane on tarmac almost hidden by dust storm. Newspaper on ground say ‘Atom men await right wind’. Fade to weather balloon released. CUs of control dials, panels of flashing lights showing that apparatus is ready. CU dial ticking up to zero. LS explosion light rays radiating from same. Distorted mushroom of smoke rises. Rockets fired to obtain radio-active samples. CU of a camera. Slow motion shots of bomb exploding. Scientists stand in ground, turn to look at bomb. Dr Penney turns to look. Seems to be caught by delayed blast from bomb as he turns from it.
Keywords
Mass media; Vehicles; Environment; Weapons; Aviation; Science and technology; Explosions; Military; Nuclear energy; Newsreels
Locations
Australia
Footage sources
Central Office of Information
Card file number
60281
Credits:
Commentator
Lionel James Gamlin
Length of story (in feet)
245
Story extras:
Film clip

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This series is held by:

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

'The Woomera Atomic Test', British Movietone News Issue No. 1285A, 21 Jan 1954. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/newsonscreen/search/index.php/story/18999 (Accessed 30 Dec 2025)