Other titles:NATO TELEVISION SHORTS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Television short focusing on the culture and history of Malta, and the NATO command Allied Forces Mediterranean based there.
Description: Journalist Wynford Vaughan-Thomas enters Valletta onboad HMS Maxton, passing HMS Tiger. The film describes the history of Malta. The Neolithic temple Ġgantija is visited. A Roman mosaic in Rabat appears. The historical narrative moves from the Romans, to the arrival of St. Paul, to the arrival of the Knights of St. John. The interiors of the Palace Armoury and St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta are shown, as is the exterior of the Rotunda of Mosta. The film then references the experience of Malta in the Second World War, illustrated with a view of the Malta Memorial near Floriana. The focus moves on to the actives of Allied Forces Mediterranean (AFMED), the NATO command based on Malta. At AFMED headquarters journalists are shown meeting with Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Bingley. The film then proceeds to show a naval exercise underway in the Mediterranean, as it is directed from the AFMED War Room in the walls of Valletta. Footage also shows the exercise - the defence of a convoy - underway at sea. A British submarine plays the part of the enemy. Westland Whirlwinds depart from HMS Bulwark as they attempt to locate the submarine. In the War Room the decision is taken to respond with an airstrike. Avro Shackleton bombers depart from RAF Luqa. Both the bombers and the destroyers in the convoy target the submarines believed location, leading to the conclusion of the exercise. The cost of training exercises such as this can be avoided through the use of the Joint Technical School in Valletta. The Joint Technical School allows for simulation of naval exercises in purpose built model rooms. A Wren is then shown relaxing on a beach, introducing the final section - Malta's quality as a tourist destination. A traditional lifestyle is emphasised. Traditional crafts are shown: baking, stonework and the making of lace. The younger Maltese are shown weaving and decorating tiles. Fishermen prepare nets and head to sea. Guitarists perform for a crowd’s amusement. The film ends with views of the fiestas of Malta.
A longer version is also held. This version has extended travelogue sections, with greater specificity of the geography, history and culture of Malta. Malta, Gozo and Comino are shown in greater detail, while the focus on NATO is equal to that in the shorter version.
Alternative Title:NATO TELEVISION SHORTS [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:NAT 6072
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM NATO
Featured Period:
Production Date:1960
Production Country: NATO
Production Details: NATO INFORMATION SERVICE (Sponsor)
Anglo-Continental Television Services (Production company)
De Jaeger, Charles (Production individual)
Bishop, Beata (Production individual)
Curtis, Jacques (Production individual)
Dentici, Ruggero (Production individual)
Lennard, Frank (Production individual)
Vaughan-Thomas, Wynford (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 4
Footage: 1695ft; Running time: c. 18mins 50 secs
