THE VISIT OF V MOLOTOV TO BRITAIN, MAY 1942 [Allocated Title]
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- Title: THE VISIT OF V MOLOTOV TO BRITAIN, MAY 1942 [Allocated Title]
- Film Number: ARY 8
- Other titles:
- Summary: A record of the visit of Vyacheslav Molotov, Peoples' Commissar for Foreign Affairs, to the United Kingdom and the signing of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty, May 1942.
- Description: (Reel 1) Eden is seen chatting to Maisky in a compartment of the train. Coming into shot are (apart from the official entourage and members of the London Embassy staff) Molotov, Cadogan, Major-General Isayev and Alexander Bogomolov (the Soviet Ambassador to the Allied Governments). On the platform of Brookmans Park Station, the Class A4 locomotive Number 4495 'Golden Fleece' arrives. Seen waiting on the platform are Cadogan and Lieutenant General Nye. The first scene is viewed through the carriage window following which the group (which includes Rear-Admiral Kharlamov and Colonel Skliarov) leave the train and make their way out of the station to the waiting cars. (Reel 2) At RAF Tealing the Petlyakov Pe-8 flies over with its wheels down. Waiting on the ground are the Air Officer Commanding 13 Group, (an Air Vice Marshal), the Station Commander, RAF Tealing and Mr Wilson, the Foreign Office representative. The Guard of Honour wait. The aircraft lands and taxies. As the ladder is put into position the Signals Officer responsible for guiding the plane in greets the first Russian officer. In flying kit Mr Molotov and his party emerge, to be greeted by the welcoming party. The Guard of Honour is addressed after which the party re-enter the aircraft to change clothes. There are good shots of the aircraft and the flight personnel. The pilot is Captain, later Colonel, E K Poussep (although he is unidentifiable here). A Russian-speaking RAF NCO chats to them. The party enter their cars and are driven to the station where they board the train. Molotov and his entourage then take in the views as they travel south. (The shot of the crossing of the Forth Bridge is poor). Seated with him in the Day Car are Major-General Isayev and Arkady Sobolev (Soviet ambassador to the UN). (Reel 3) The first scene of Reel 1 is repeated. Churchill emerges from the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street followed by his guests. They include Molotov, Maisky, Cadogan, Dr Evatt, Attlee, Commander Thompson, Sobolev, Firebrace and Oliver Lyttelton. They walk down the steps of the veranda, across the lawn and out of the back door, where they climb into their cars to be driven away. Churchill, Attlee and Cadogan are left to walk back to the house. There is an excellent shot of a barrage balloon in Green Park and good establishing shots of the front exterior of No 10 Downing Street. The RAFFPU crew have taken the opportunity to film themselves in the garden of No 10 Downing Street. (Reel 4) Anthony Eden's office at the Foreign Office. The signing of the Anglo-Soviet Pact takes place. Maisky gives a speech. Molotov and Eden sign before a close up of the completed document. Close ups of Maisky, Molotov, Eden and Churchill after the signing and the various dignitaries shaking hands are shown before Eden and Molotov give their respective speeches. (Reel 5) Another view of the signing and speeches mostly repeated from reel 4. At the table are Sir Archibald Sinclair, Clement Attlee, Churchill, Eden, Molotov, Maisky and Sobolev. The speeches are filmed in full. (Reel 6) The departure. Railway porters at Cheddington Station load the baggage. In view is one of Molotov's secretaries. Molotov walks along the platform deep in conversation with Mr. Novikov, Councillor of the Soviet Embassy in London. In the train, Molotov signs for a cypher and the train leaves. At Prestwick, the Trans-Atlantic terminus, Molotov et al prepare for the flight to the USA and don their flying overalls and equipment which is shown to good advantage. The dignitaries, Red Air Force and RAF personnel make their farewells before the aircraft (which is shown well in this reel) taxies and departs. (Reel 7) On 29/4/1942 a delegation arrives at RAF Hendon to take care of arrangements for Molotov's visit. (The dope sheet gives a full list of those arriving and notes that one is Captain E K Poussep who will fly Molotov's 'plane in a few weeks' time. The aircraft is a Flamingo 'Lady of Hendon' of 24 Squadron and previously of the King's Flight). The reel ends with views of the Foreign Office. (Reel 8) The first part of the reel deals with Molotov's departure. Scenes are taken at Prestwick and show dignitaries and crew preparing for the flight to America. The aircraft is particularly well shown. The rest of the reel repeats shots of Molotov being greeted by Eden etc and more scenes of the signing at the Foreign Office. (Reel 9) After scenes of Churchill and party in the garden of Number 10, duplicate shots intersperse scenes at the airfield. The reel is very confused and incoherent in its content but there are good scenes of Anglo-Soviet fraternisation.
- Alternative Title:
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised: Yes
- Object_Number: ARY 8
- Sound: Silent
- Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
- Featured Period: 1939-1945
- Production Date: 1942-05
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor) RAF Film Production Unit (Production company) Moyna, E P G (Production individual) Twist, Derek N (Production individual) Baird, E (Production individual) Pollard, William (Production individual) Gallai-Hatchard, Donald Nevill (Production individual) Kelly, Graham White "Skeets"19131970Second World War cameraman (RAF Film Production Unit); later an accomplished film cameraman. Killed shooting aerial footage for the film Zeppelin in 1970. (Production individual) Pilgrim, Ronald E (Production individual) Taylor, Gilbert (Production individual) Challis, Christopher George (Production individual) Towler, Dennis (Production individual) Hill, James1919-08-011994-10-07 (Production individual) Morris, J E (Production individual) Sweeney (Flight Lieutenant) (Production individual) Rider, S G (Production individual) Gray, E C F (Production individual) Jones, R C J (Production individual)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations: Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer (person) Eden, (Robert) Anthony (person) Molotov, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Scriabin (person) Maisky, Ivan M (person) Attlee, Clement Richard (person) Evatt, Herbert Vere (person) Nye, Archibald Edward (person) Thompson, Roy Charles Whitworth George (person) Firebrace, Aylmer Newton George (Brigadier) (person) Sobolev, Arkady (person) Cadogan, Alexander George Montagu (person) Sinclair, Archibald Henry Macdonald (person) Wilson, Geoffrey Masterman (person) Pavloff, M (person) Papov, M (Interpreter to Molotov) (person) Isayev (Major General) (person) Bogomolov, Alexander (person) Kharlamov (Rear Admiral) (person) Skliarov (Colonel) (Soviet Military Attaché, London) (person) Novikov (Councillor to the Soviet Embassy, London) (person) Crowe, H G (person) Hanmer, R H (Group Captain) (person) Kipley (Wing Commander) (person) Evans (Squadron Leader) (person) Kastkin, A J (person) Sevastyanon, G L (person) Patot, N D N (person) Aflanov, S A (person) Supepenko, A J (person) Romonoff, S M (person) Poussep, E K (Captain) (person) Wilton, F W (person) Guinness (Squadron Leader) (person) Fraser (Flight Lieutenant) (person) Royal Air Force, Sqdn 24 (regiment/service)
- Keywords: aircraft, Russian - combat: Petlyakov Pe-8 (object name) aircraft, British - transport: De Havilland DH 95 Flamingo (object name) transport, British civilian - rail: Class A4 Locomotive Number 4495 'Golden Fleece (object name) aircraft, British - balloon: barrage balloon (object name) GB, England & Hendon, Middx <RAF Station> (geography) GB, England & London, SW <Foreign Office> (geography) GB, England & London, SW <Downing Street> (geography) GB, England & Brookmans Park, Herts <railway station> (geography) GB, England & Cheddington, Bucks <railway station> (geography) GB, Scotland & Firth of Forth <Forth bridge> (geography) GB, Scotland & Tealing, Angus <RAF Station> (geography) GB, Scotland & Prestwick, Ayrshire <RAF Station> (geography)
- Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 8 Footage: 6825 ft; Running time: 73 mins
- HD Media:Yes
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