HCA (CEDRIC THORNBERRY) VISITS NOVA BILA (UNEDITED RUSHES) [Allocated Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: HCA (CEDRIC THORNBERRY) VISITS NOVA BILA (UNEDITED RUSHES) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: UNT 83 X
  • Other titles: UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION (UNTV) ZAGREB COLLECTION, YUGOSLAVIA [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Cedric Thornberry, Head of UNPROFOR Civil Affairs, visits a hospital set up in a Catholic church in Nova Bila.
  • Description: Convoy of UN vehicles drive along a road. When they stop, Cedric Thornberry, Head of UNPROFOR Civil Affairs, steps out of a jeep. He greets doctors who are going to show these UN officials around a hospital, set up in a Catholic church. A large group of doctors, interpreters and UNPROFOR staff enter the building. Cedric Thornberry enters several rooms and is told about the patients lying in each bed. Many of the patients are heavily bandaged. Some have had limbs amputated. The groups walk up a flight of stairs. Boxes of syringes and other medical supplies are stacked at the side. These supplies have been delivered by international aid organisations but the hospital is still in need of further supplies. The group stand in the nave of the church which has also been converted into a ward. One of the doctors explains that they 80 beds at the moment but by using extra spaces like this, their capacity has grown to 120 beds. The doctor says that there are no out-patient services at this hospital. Shots of rows of bed set out in the church and pews converted into beds for patients. Doctors at the bedside of a small girl, whose left arm has been amputated below the elbow, explain that she was injured by snipers. Cedric Thornberry is visibly moved by this and briefly strokes her hair. The doctors show Cedric Thornberry further cases. A Franciscan friar tells Cedric Thornberry about the church’s history. Shots of the stained glass windows and a wooden figure of Christ on the Cross. The group walk outside. Shots of civilians that are milling about outside. Doctors look at an X-Ray sheet and hang it from a line of string, strung up outside. Shots of BRITBAT soldiers. The group of visitors come out of a doorway. Footage of a round table meeting in which Cedric Thornberry says that the UN will assist the hospital in any way that it can. Shot of a man lying on a table, wearing blood-stained clothes. He has been killed or severely wounded by sniper fire. Gloved hands wipe away the blood from his forehead and around his eyes. The gaping wound below his collar bone is clear to see. Doctors surround him. An armed guard on the door requests that UNTV stop filming. Shot of men sitting outside. Voices say that the bullet ricocheted and came out of his neck. Interview with Cedric Thornberry standing outside the church. He says that the visit to the hospital had been moving, especially as this one is situated in an enclave, under siege. They depend on the outside world for survival and the doctors here have to organise the evacuation of severely injured patients. Their job is made harder by the political situation in the region. He says that the UN can help by assessing what the doctors here need and supplying them with the drugs and supplies they need. The UN can also provide them with diesel for the generator. As well as these material aids, the UN can also provide them with diplomatic and political support to facilitate the evacuation of critical patients.
  • Alternative Title: UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION (UNTV) ZAGREB COLLECTION, YUGOSLAVIA [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: English (?)
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: UNT 83 X
  • Sound: Serbian (Tape D)
  • Access Conditions:
  • Featured Period: 1990-2000
  • Production Date: 1993-08-30
  • Production Country: UN
  • Production Details:
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Thornberry, Cedric (person)
  • Keywords: Nova Bila, Bosnia-Herzegovina (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics:
  • Technical Details: Format: Beta-SP Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 20
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    UNT 83 X

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register