Summary: A descriptive overview of the Royal Navy's nuclear powered Polaris submarine fleet and its accompanying arsenal of Polaris nuclear missiles. The film focuses on «HMS Resolution», the first Polaris submarine to be launched.
Description: (Reel 1) Scenes of a Polaris submarine in harbour. The RN commander of the ship speaks to camera outlining the submarines capability and its role. Scenes of Polaris submarines being built and of the nuclear power plant to drive them. Launching of «HMS Resolution» (21/9/1967), followed by a tour inside the submarine, pointing out the electronic and computer equipment used to run the ship and to operate and navigate its arsenal of 16 Polaris nuclear missiles. Scenes of the facilities for the 120 man crew, the galley, mess hall, washrooms, and facilities for recreation and education, such as three cinemas, library, radio contact with loved-ones ashore. «HMS Resolution» in harbour with tugs moored alongside, one is refuelling the craft. Account of the training of a RN officer at the Polaris submarine training centre at Faslane.
(Reel 2) Further scenes of RN officers undergoing training at the Polaris school. Overview of the Polaris base at Coulport, Faslane, on the Clyde. Views of the fleet stores and workshops where parts from the submarines can be removed for repair. Scenes of electronic equipment from a Polaris submarine undergoing repair. A nuclear component from one of the submarines is shown being de-activated and the precautions taken by personnel to ensure that there are no leaks of radioactive material. View of the fleet's armaments depot, from which a Polaris missile is shown being borne out of the underground store on a vehicle; cut to a Polaris missile being loaded into a submarine. Cut to Helensburgh, the nearby town which provides 2,000 workers for the base. Views of the sports and recreation facilities available to the 3,500 crew and support staff connected with the Polaris fleet. The wife of a RN sailor is scene around her home in the RN village built near Helensburgh to house men serving on the subs. She provides a voice-over to these scenes explaining what she likes about her home but also some of the difficulties in reaching the town. Cut to scenes of «HMS Resolution» getting ready to leave the harbour to go for a practice firing of a missile. The narrator states the importance of the Polaris in providing a nuclear deterrent to maintain peace.
(Reel 3) Coverage of the sequences of the launch of a Polaris missile from «HMS Resolution». According to the narrator this practice launch took place off Cape Kennedy in the USA (15/2/1968). The narrator explains that the "foolproof system" to prevent a missile being fired without proper authority could not be shown. The launch sequence concludes with an undersea view of the Polaris missile exiting the submarine and then shots above the ocean of the missile heading for its target. Final scenes of the hull and bows of the submarine moving over the surface of the sea are accompanied by the following statement from the narrator: "And so, training complete, a Polaris submarine goes into active service, carrying the deterrent that is our hope of security, a promise to deter any potential aggressor from surprise nuclear attack against this country or any of our NATO allies. It is our guard against nuclear war".
Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Ferris, Peter (Production individual)
Harris, Martin M (Production individual)
Everett, Brian (Production individual)
Davies, Gordon (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2500 ft (ca); Running time: 24 mins
