Summary: An impression of work in a Royal Ordnance munitions plant, in the framework of a dramatised incident.
Description: The manager is asked to "do the impossible" by meeting, within 24 hours, an urgent demand from the Navy for shells filled with a potent but still experimental explosive. He embarks on the task, working himself with a gang of men kept on for a continuous 'shift' lasting 23 hours: on two occasions the men are a little hesitant, but are easily talked round. Some crises and moments of tension occur (eg the explosive 'reasserts' so that fuses will not fit) - some light relief is provided by the conversation of two girls in the canteen - the job is done in time. Some quite good incidental material on aspects of the working environment (eg special shoes in the 'clean' area, and special surfaces on path, stress on careful unhurried movement, carrying out some jobs - mixing explosives, filling shells - by remote control from behind blast walls, etc).
Production Details: Ministry of Supply (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Verity (Production company)
Cass, Henry (Production individual)
Box, Sydney (Production individual)
Cass, Henry (Production individual)
Holden, Inez (Production individual)
Elton, Ray (Production individual)
Tanner, Peter (Production individual)
Newman, Veronica (Production individual)
Del Mar, Norman R (Production individual)
Mathieson, Muir (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Ordnance Factory (regiment/service)
Keywords: industry, British - munitions (object name)
society, British - hygiene (object name)
propaganda (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1935 ft; Running time: 21 mins
