J. Robert Oppenheimer's eerie quote from the Bhagavad-Gita while witnessing the first atomic bomb's detonation ("I am become death, the shatterer of worlds") resonates throughout this fascinating account of the government's top secret film studio, Lookout Mountain Laboratory. Created in 1947 to produce films for the Departments of Energy and Defense, this quasi-Air Force facility located in the Laurel Canyon area of Hollywood filmed and photographed over 300 nuclear weapons tests before closing in 1969. The intrepid filmmakers--mostly civilian--employed by the facility were assigned to film the Nevada and Pacific atoll nuclear blasts from every conceivable angle and perspective, often while flying above or standing directly below (ground zero) the bomb being exploded. Many of these photographers, who were honored in 1997 by the American Film Institute, are interviewed in the video; their firsthand accounts of the era ranging from humorous to ghastly. Though not as cohesive as the director's earlier work, Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (now available in a "Special Director's Cut" with 3D glasses, no less, for $19.95), or as entertaining as the wickedly wry cult favorite The Atomic Cafe, this video deftly chronicles an interesting aspect of the atomic epoch in American history with objective narration and mesmerizing film footage. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (W. Pierce)
The Atomic Filmmakers Behind the Scenes
(1998) 50 min. $19.95. Goldhil Video. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 13, Issue 4
The Atomic Filmmakers Behind the Scenes
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: