Chat
and Feedback
Here's
a page devoted to letters (or emails) from our viewers for a more interactive
forum, go to
The Atomic Forum Bulletin Board
Subj:
Ê Cinerama nuke
Date: Ê Thu, 14 Mar 2002 10:03:53 AM EST
From: Ê Scott Marshall
To: Ê VCEinc
Hi Peter:
How have you been? Happy to see you were involved with A Beautiful Mind.
It's my favorite film this year. Last week I did a major interview of
Wentworth Fling, Cinerama engineer and VP from 1952 to 1962. I asked
him about The Eighth Day final aborted Cinerama film about nukes, and
he only remembered seeing footage of the launch of the nuclear sub.
All trims from all Cinerama productions were discarded in the mid 70s
film preservation holocaust. That included all 8th Day footage, presumably
the nuke footage, as well as items like the Havana fly-over that was
used to prep for the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Scott Marshall Former editor, Wide Gauge Film and Video
Subject:
Nuclear 911 prompts a rather unusual inquiry
Peter...
Just wanted to let you know that about 2 weeks ago, I got a phone call
from representatives of Nippon TV here in L.A.. Their accent was hard
to understand but after about 5 minutes I learned that they wanted to
know how I had "covered" the Crash of a Helicopter and Accidental Release
of Radioactive Material in the town of Wyomia, California. It took a
few seconds....but then I remembered the narration I had done for you
(Breaking News.) as part of Nuclear 911...and spent the next 10 minutes
explaining that what somebody had seen on the tape was not a real incident....but
in fact a drill run at NTS back in the 1980's. ...but in any event that
call and inquiry stand as an superb testimonial to the quality, accuracy,
and reality of the projects you produce.
Ê-Peter
Demetriou (KFWB Los Angeles News reporter and voice over in Nuclear
911)
Subject:
Atomic journeys-Wecome to ground zero
Peter Ê
Just a comment to say how much I enjoyed the DVD version of this title,
It has the same high quality as its predecesors although I hesitate
to mention 1 tiny litttle error at the beginning of the silent footage
of the French test. Having recently been in the vicinity of Regane in
Algeria I checked up and I believe the first test occurred in February
1960 and was code-named Gerbosie bleu. On the DVD it says 1952! Not
to worry, it keeps us on our toes. Ê Best regards
Subject:
Ê films
Hello Peter,
Your films have been incredibly enlightening. I'm thirty three years
old and remember Three Mile Island and Trinity from school. Maybe more
than most people. I do remember distinctly in 6th grade being told to
refrain from milk because of Chinese tests in the mid 70's. Your documentaries
fill in a great deal of otherwise overlooked detail in an impressive
way. My father said he was about to cry at the Bravo sequence. I of
course learned about things in school and understood why we did what
we did, but never to the extent as you have recovered, restored and
released. I know you have struggled to acquire access to a graet deal
of footage forrestoration. I live in the Washington area and would be
glad to even volunteer time in the care and restoration of such films.
I do not understand why your documentaries have not been more widely
disseminated among the general public i.e.; alongside the PBS production
"Race for the Superbomb". a fan, j.c.
Subject:
Ê Comments...
HI N-GUYS,
JUST GOT MY NUCLEAR- 911 & ATOMIC CANNON DVD & PICTURE, COOL.
Suject:
Minuteman I, II, III
This is
just a note to correct some inaccuracies in your Minuteman data as listed
on your website.
The Minuteman
I LGM30A/B and the Minuteman II LGM30F each were capable of carrying
only one warhead per missile, not three as stated.
The Minuteman
III LGM30G uses a MIRV platform to carry up to three Mk12 re-entry vehicles.
Since START II went into effect, each MMIII has been downloaded to only
one re-entry vehicle.
In addition,
all Minuteman II missiles have been removed from alert status and their
silos destroyed or have been upgraded to Peacekeeper specifications.
SSGT M.E.
Carter
EMT Team Chief
351st OMMS
Whiteman AFB 1981-1987
Thank you. The information has been revised.
Suject:
information sur la bombe H
In a message dated 3/24/2001 4:16:13 PM Pacific Standard Time, yvondumais@sympatico.ca
writes:
<< Ce message est pour des informatuion sur le sujet de bombes h, de
quelle grosseur devait elle tre pour quelle puisse faire craquer la
terre en deux? Merci a l'avence >>
Merci
de votre email au sujet de bombes h. Le plus grand bombe h tait 57 Megatons
fait par les Russes. Bien qu'il ait d truit une vall e dans la zone
de contr le russe du cercle artic, il n' tait pas aussi puissant qu'une
ruption volcanique. L' ruption volcanique de Saint Helens de la TA dans
l' tat de Washington Est plus puissante que la plus grande bombes H.
Subject:
Trinity and Beyond vs. The Atomic Filmmakers
In article , "David Thomas" wrote:
Hi all,
I have "Trinity and Beyond", and I'm not sure about the name
of that second one, but I recall it as "The Atomic Filmmakers".
Can anyone describe the differences between the two? Are they redundant
enough that I'd be wasting my money on the second one, or is there enough
new footage in it to warrant the purchase?
I made "Atomic Filmmakers" as a tribute to the cameramen who
photographed the original atomic bomb footage. The film has interviews
with the filmmakers and shows you the secret studio in the Hollywood
Hills where they made the productions. I threw a sort of "Trinity"
"wrap party" for these guys in October 1996.
Some of
the special cameras are shown such as the Rapitronic which photographed
the fireballs within the first nanosecond.
Subject:
nuclear-pics
In article, dundradal@firststrike-inc.com (Dundradal) wrote:
You guys are looking for pics, and well if anybody has any or knows
where to get some, I'm looking for movies of detonations w/ sound (all
the ones I've found are silent or have someone talking, even TLC's excellent
movie "Trinity and Beyond: The atomic bomb movie")
On
the upcoming DVD version of Trinity and Beyond, there is a small piece
of a bomb photograhed with sound on film. However, when you see it,
remember the sound is about 30 seconds after the image. At the Nevada
Test Site, it was about a 30 second delay. In the Pacific, it was about
a 2 minute delay!
Subject:
Trinity and Beyond soundtrack
For those of you who have asked about Bill Stromberg's score on "Trinity
and Beyond (the Atomic Bomb Movie)," VCE has pressed a soundtrack
CD which is available on our
website.
Subject:
Please review America's Atomic Bomb Tests!
In article , Billy Newsom wrote:
For about 15 years, I have had the idea of producing an anthology of
bomb tests -- and now someone beat me to it. I must see this movie!
I'd really like to hear some behind-the-scenes stuff, etc.
I think if you are looking for a DVD or video about behind the scenes
of atomic bomb photography, you are probably thinking about "Atomic
Filmmakers-Behind the Scenes," or the DVD version "Hollywood's
Secret Studio." Both are available on our
website.
The tapes you are talking about, "America's Atomic Bomb Tests"
are the same tapes you can get from the government for $10.00each. If
you want those tapes, check out the link on the following site for the
government
films.
Subject:
Trinity and Beyond on TLC
In article , "Jason B. Unwin"
wrote:
The Nevada Test site might make an interesting tourist attraction. Now
I know a lot of you are laughing right now but think about it. At Ft.
Sill, OK "Atomic Annie" is on display at exact azimuth of
lay and quadrant of elevation as when it fired the first atomoc artillery
projectile. What better than to stand at ground zero for that shot or
other historic detonations. I hear the natives at Bikini are offering
wreck dives to ships that were sunk in early nuclear tests. Tourism
is big bucks. Just a thought.
PS: Of course there would have to be some safety issues but I'm sure
with proper planning or releases from liability forms, the Nevada Test
Site could become the next "hottest" tourist site.
Jason
Funny you should mention this. On the special edition of "Trinity
and Beyond" is a little 10 minute piece in Red/Blue 3D on a tour
of the Nevada Test Site. The 3D would be better projected as motion
picture film though but it gives you a good idea of what you'll see
as a tourist. Also, April 4th is one of two times during the year that
you can visit the Trinity site in Alamogordo New Mexico. There is a
big thing happening on April 4th in Albuquerque New Mexico where they
will be shuttling people there from the National Atomic Museum on Kirtland
AFB.
Pete Kuran (the guy who made "Trinity and Beyond")
vce@vce.com
Subject:
Atomic bomb movie?
In article , ccalato@ix.netcom.com
(Chris Calato) wrote:
I know recently a movie came out that was a bunch of gov. footage of
atomic bomb tests that someone cleaned up, anyone know the name? Is
it on DVD? While at Ward's Electric Ave I saw a DVD that looked like
it might be it but they were all in a case and no one was around.
Any help?
Chris
"Trinity
and Beyond (the Atomic Bomb Movie)" is slowly making its way into
stores (such as Borders Bookstores) on VHS. The film is available on
DVD.
These locations carry "Trinity and Beyond" on VHS as well
as other atomic stuff:
Communications Media (Los Alamos Gift shop) 505-662-9589
505-662-3713 Fax
National Atomic Museum
505-284-4291
505-284-4290 Fax
http://www.cyspacemalls.com/atomic/
Subject:
Trinity and Beyond on VHS
If you purchase a copy of "Trinity and Beyond (The Atomic Bomb
Movie)" or have recently purchased a copy, please make sure you
didn't buy an EP version. I am the filmmaker of the movie and I recently
learned that one of our distributors has been making an EP (Extended
Play) version to save money. The quality is poor and I had no idea this
was happening.
This goes for any tape too. Its a shame that EP was even invented. If
you aren't sure if you have an EP copy of "Trinity" or any
film for that matter, usually there is a banner at the beginning of
the film telling you to "check and adjust your tracking."
Also, a 90min film should fill up the tape cassette where as an EP version
looks like 30 minutes of tape. Also, the quality is bad if you haven't
noticed.
If you purchased a copy of "Trinity and Beyond" and realize
you bought an EP copy, call the distributor, Goldhil at (800) 250-8760
and tell them you find this unacceptable and want a replacement.
http://www.vce.com
Subject:
Re: New US tests video
In article , gwalker@netcom.com (Gregory
Walker) wrote:
On 8 Apr 1997 17:51:22 GMT, spw@paonline.com (Steven Whitcombe) wrote:
A recent post to this group concerned a TV ad for a video "America's
Atomic Bomb Tests". The poster was kind enough to include a phone
#, so I ordered it.
The commercial these guys (US Fighter Squadron video) put on tv usually
runs on the Learning Channel late at night. First off, after viewing
the commercial, I can tell you that practically none of the shots in
the commercial are on any of the video tapes.
The commercial was made mostly from a tape called "Nuclear Test
Review" released thru the CIC by the DOE. This tape was originally
released on BetaSP by the DoE at a press conference and was practically
the only source material with enough quality to be able to put a commercial
together.
The quality is so bad to be beyond belief (this is not really a criticism
of the video's producer)
Don't blame the government, the quality is so bad because these producers
chose to sell a product duped from a VHS to VHS, what they call preservation
masters. Buy them directly from the government and you get a better
tape.
To purchase tapes directly from the government, call Martha Demarr at
the CIC in Nevada at (702) 295-0748. The Nuclear Test Review tape is
#0800000 and its about $10.00.
who states that "for historical accuracy . . . films in their original
condition . . .";
They copied some government tapes, they spent their money on the jackets
for the tapes and all the advertising they are now doing. If anything,
they are deceptive about what they are selling because what the commercial
shows isn't what you get.
just that it's hard to understand the govmnt spending all this money
on film and then letting it rot!!!).
The government doesn't have a big budget for the preservation of atomic
weapons films, they have no budget. Some guys working at the DOE are
trying to get funding. I have been helping in the process because I
believe these films must be preserved.
Pete Kuran
Subject:
New US tests video
In article , reid@eau.net wrote:
As a collector an archiver of stuff (junk according to my wife) I bit
on the advertisement for these films. I must say that the quality is
definately not second generation. I've made better FOURTH generation
tapes with my $300 recorders.
Having compared the tape of the palm trees smoking and the subsequent
blast arrival on Peter's film vs. what's on this one, it would be easy
to believe they were two different events. The detail in debris and
the sharpness of the smoke rising from the bark is sorely lacking in
this recent release as compared to the sharp, colorful, detailed image
in Peter's film.
I have recently been working on the Bravo sequence from which the palm
trees came and have been restoring better originals from it. I discovered
after additional restoration that there are three birds in the palm
tree shot. Two fly away behind camera and a third falls to the ground
smoking (if you had seen it, you would guess it was a burning leaf).
I've also been restoring a version of "Operation Ivy" and
while it will look better than the version the gov is selling, it is
a milder version. The gov version is from the SRD (secret restricted
data) version while the one I've been restoring was originally an OUO
(official use only) version.
Pete
Subject:
"Atomic Bomb Tests" Video...
In article ,ADDRESS@END.OF.MESSAGE.COM
(Chris Ward) wrote:
I saw an ad for this on TV, and it looks *real* good...
"Atomic Bomb Tests"
The ad was brief, but they were boasting recently declassified footage,
among which was some of scientists caught unprepared at certain tests.
Anyway, I thought that some of you might be interested. I know I'll
be ordering it :)
There are a number of companies now that are buying these tapes from
the gov and duping them and selling them. Unfortunately the best parts
about them are the VHS sleeves, the copies are 3rd rate. One is entitled
"America's Atomic Tests" and also "Atomic Bomb Tests."
While the original tapes that the DOE released, quality wise, were pretty
bad (scratched up 16mm prints transfered on a film chain), the ones
being sold are copies of these copies and they aren't very good. So,
if you're interested in this stuff, purchase these tapes from the CIC
(Coordination & Information Center) in Nevada by calling Martha Demarr
at (702) 295-0748. Their holdings are listed below:
Nuclear Testing Review #0800000
Trinity 1945 #0800001
Project Crossroads #0800002
Operation Sandstone #0800003
EG&G in Sandstone #0800004
USAF in Sandstone #0800005
U.S. Army Engineers in Sandstone #0800006
Blast Measurement Group in Sandstone #0800007
Navy in Sandstone #0800008
Operation Greenhouse #0800009
Tumbler Snapper #0800011
Operation Ivy #0800012
Operation Castle #0800013
Damage and Destruction #0800014
I think each VHS tape sells for about $10.00 and the quality isn't great
but its at lease a generation better quality than whats being sold by
these private companies. But the best quality nuclear weapon effects
test footage is in "Trinity and Beyond (the Atomic Bomb Movie)".
Web site is: http://www.vce.com/trinity.html
Subject:
Declassified DOE film footage
In article , abradley@banff.net wrote:
Has anyone seen any of the films recently declassified and released
by the Dept. of Energy? These are 1950's nuclear test flicks intended
largely for soldiers entering the nuclear program ("now you're
a part of the mushroom club!").
These flicks, from what I've seen (a fairly long segment on some American
news program) they seem quite reminiscent of the government footage
used in "The Atomic Cafe".
The footage of the soldiers were from a film the DOE declassified entitled
"Tumbler Snapper Military Effects" which actually was classified
as CRD (confidential restricted data). This was an air force film. The
footage in "Atomic Cafe" was Army footage.
The nuclear missile blowing up on the launch pad was
seen first in my film entitled "Trinity and Beyond" which
has a lot of new recently declassified footage. The web site is: http://www.vce.com/trinity.html
Subj:
help!
From:
SEANNY@webtv.net
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2001 2:23 PM EDT
To: vce@vce.com
Can someone tell me who the gentleman is narrating the [Ivy Mike] bomb
test in the pacific? He is seen on deck of a navy ship smoking a pipe
and nonchalantly explaining about the explosion which is about to take
place. His voice is very familiar? He is dressed in navy khaki's,wearing
a hat and leaning against a railing. Any help would be appreciated.
Tony Stapleton,O.D.
Lakeland,Florida
The
pipe smoking narrator in the Ivy Mike sequence is Reed Hadley. Reed
was born in Petrolia, Texas in 1911 and began his career in 1937 in
the movie,"Hollywood Stadium Mystery". Reed was a 1950's television
star of programs such as "The Public Defender" (1954) and "Racquet Squad"
(1950). He also made TV guest appearances on "Wagon Train" (1957), "Perry
Mason" (1957) and "Green Acres" (1965). Reed's last movie was "Brain
of Blood" in 1972. In 1974 Reed died in Los Angeles, California.
Pete
Subj:
Some errors
From:
gasara@bellatlantic.net
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2001 2:23 PM EDT
To: vce@vce.com
Hi,
I found some historical error at the following adress: http://www.vce.com/tsar.html
"Aug 1961 - The Berlin Wall is erected by the Soviets dividing Germany
into two separate countries: East Germany (communist) and West Germany
(democratic)."
Actually, Germany was already divided into 2 countires right in1949,
when the Allies and the Soviets split it up. Berlin was in the Soviet(East)
zone, but it was occupied by all forces(Allies and Soviets) so it was
almost like a citystate. Anyways, the '61 Berlin Wall split Berlin into
2(literally) and not the country, since the country was already 2 seperate
countries.
Jut thought to let ya know.
later,
Akos
The
error has been corrected. Thank you.
Subj:
DVDs
From:
simon@antmusic.fsnet.co.uk
To: vce@vce.com
Peter Kuran
I have recently imported 'Atomic Journeys' and 'Nukes In Space' on DVD
after having watched 'Trinity And Beyond' many, many times, which I
imported last year. I would like to let you know that I enjoyed these
two new DVDs equally as much as 'Trinity...'. I hope that you get around
to making a director's cut of these two discs in the future as I'm sure
that there is a lot more material that you have on these subjects.
The main reason I am writing to you is to find out if you plan to complete
the set by releasing 'Atomic Filmakers' on DVD in the future.
If you do, I have a suggestion for a bonus feature you might like to
add. I would very much like to see footage of the 'Davey Crockett' XM-388
projectile launched from the 155mm XM-29 recoiless rifle. I am aware
that this was the last atmospheric test detonated at Nevada. The shot
was designated Little Feller I as part of the IVY FLATS operation. This
was the smallest and lightest nuclear weapon ever deployed by the US
military.
Regards
Simon Daw
Subj:
appreciation
From:
dolphins@wantree.com.au
To: vce@vce.com
Thanks for setting up such an informative (if horrifying) site and making
such enthralling (if disturbing) documentaries.
I didn't find the actual photo I was seeking but I found more than enough
to ensure I won't sleep easy tonight ;)
Subj:
Correspondence
Date: Wed, Nov 22, 2000 6:20 PM EDT
From: Michael Maginski
Dear V.C.E.,
I just would like to tell you how well the films by Peter Kuran, and
how much I have enjoyed them. I have all four of the films, from Trinity
and Beyond to Nukes in Space.The musical score by William Stromberg
is excellent and is a complement to the footage in the features. I have
become so fascinated with the content and history of Nuclear research
I would like to visit the sites, as described and documented in Atomic
Journeys. I would like to mention how well these features are produced
and made, I recommend them to my friends . Well, please continue to
provide these great and fascinating documentries for us, they are important
part of history and science that has affected all the world. Sincerely
and best regards,
Mike Maginski
Subj:
"YOUR NEW DVDS"
Date: Sun, Nov 19, 2000 3:47 PM EDT
From: GEOFFREY_REINELT@telus.net
Hello Pete Kuran and VCE,
I wanted to write to congratulate you on your latest releases. The "Nukes
In Space" and " Atomic Journeys" DVDs are really well done and provide
a lot of really nice extra features. I really liked your commentary
tracks and I think you guys enjoyed making them. Overall, they are really
entertaining and are a lot of fun to watch. I hope you and your company
will continue to produce films on this topic. Also that new Kevin Costner
movie sounds great. My best wishes to you and I hope you have a nice
Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Geoff
Subj:
Atomic Journeys
Date: Fri, Nov 3, 2000 1:15 AM EDT
From: jrozell@bellsouth.net
Peter,
I bought Trinity and Beyond, then later bought the DVD version. I received
it last week and want you to know that it was worth the wait! You have
done a truly masterful job of presenting the "Sacred Grounds" of the
nuclear age. The footage is superb. The music is great. The digital
graphics and maps were sharp. Good Job.
I'm asking for "Nukes in Space" for Christmas.
I was also wondering if you're considering other nuclear related projects
for future films. May I make the following suggestions?
1) The Nuclear Aircraft Program of the 1950's, which
included the experiments in the Nuclear Aircraft Propulsion Program.
The High-Temperature Reactor Experiments (HTRE-1, HTRE-2, HTRE-3), the
Convair NB-36H bomber with the on-board nuclear reactor, and the other
labs and equipment (and an aircraft hanger with 8-foot thick walls)
still located in Idaho would be of great interest. Or maybe the Soviet
Nuclear Bomber that never was.
2) Unshielded aircraft reactor tests at Carswell AFB
and in Georgia.
3) Project Pluto, a nuclear powered intercontinental
ballistic missle.
4) Project Nerva, a nuclear rocket engine. (You probably
already covered this in "Nukes in Space").
5) If you do a DVD on the Atomic Filmmakers, how about
some added material on the special high-speed cameras developed by Mr.
Edgerton of EG&G?
6) How about a film just on the major players of atomic
and nuclear design and testing?
Just some food for thought. Thank you for your efforts in documenting
the atomic/nuclear weapon history of the United States. You have done
a great job. Your work is not as pretentious as a Ken Burns production,
but is of greater historical significance. And, in my humble opinion,
done better.
John Rozell
Murfreesboro, TN
Subj:
Atomic Filmmakers on DVD?
Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2000 11:02 AM EDT
From: armstron@swen.unitedspacealliance.com
I just added your Atomic Journeys DVD to my collection, and am very
pleased with it. Question: are there any plans to put Atomic Filmmakers
on DVD? After Trinity & Beyond, it is probably my favorite production
from VCE.
Thanks, Peter Armstrong
Pete,
Thanks for the email. While working on the other productions, I have
been finding footage that would go great in an updated version of Atomic
Filmmakers such as more Cinemascope footage etc. Hopefully I will get
that out after our next production on Broken Arrows and unique nuclear
incidents entitled "Nuclear 911."
Pete
Subj:
New DVD's
Date: Sat, Sep 16, 2000 8:14 PM EDT
When will the next DVD releases be coming out? I have Trinity and Beyond,
and am very impressed by it! Also, I have a comment about the "America's
Atomic Bomb Tests" DVDs. I have three of them, and they are very interesting,
but are not up to the high standard T and B has set. They are claimed
to be "digitally mastered", but they use the same old worn out and faded
footage, with no attempt to do the kind of restoration Mr. Kuran has
done. One DVD has a chapter (about Army tests in 1956) that has no audio,
with no explanation as to why! Perhaps they should talk to Mr. Kuran
for help in doing a proper restoration of their films.
-Rich
A: Iif you are interested in the "America's Atomic Bomb Tests" videos,
you can buy the original tapes directly from the DOE at the following
web address:
http://www.nv.doe.gov/news%26pubs/photos%26films/testfilms.htm
They are the same films, but the DOE has more of them and they are cheaper
at $10 each on VHS.
Subj:
"TRINITY and BEYOND" DVD.
Date: Sat, Sep 9, 2000 2:55 PM EDT
Hello Peter Kuran and VCE,
I have just viewed your splendid DVD version of "Trinity and Beyond"
and enjoyed it very much. Your commentary track is a welcome addition
to the film as it answers the many questions a viewer might have. Thank
you for including it as it was very informative. The other features
are well done also, and the addition of the soundtrack is truly a bonus.
Overall, you have produced a milestone film on the subject of nuclear
testing. I think your film continues to evolve and it just gets better
and better. I also think your VCE website is well designed and is very
user-friendly. Your "Atomic Central" is unique and much appreciated.
Please continue to produce your wonderful films.
- Geoff
Subj:
The Trinity and Beyond DVD
Date: Thu, Jun 15, 2000 4:25 PM EDT
From: YourEmail@lmco.com
I just
wanted to pass along some input regarding my recent purchase of the
Trinity and Beyond DVD, and I hoped you might pass it along to Peter.
Please just take this as one customer's opinion.
To give
you a little background, I'm an avid fan of the Trinity and Beyond movie.
I owned it and the Atomic Filmmakers on VHS before my recent purchase
of the Trinity DVD, and I have bought an number of the soundtracks to
pass along to friends and family. I've made all of my friends watch
Trinity, and they have all been glad they did.
I liked
the new DVD. It had a good layout and some very interesting features.
I was glad to see the movie had some additions from the original tape.
The added explosion sounds were not that convincing, even though they
sounded cool in Dolby Surround. I wished the piece on the detonation
was of a larger device and in color, but I was glad to see that added
to the DVD.
The new
segment about the dangers and ethical issues surrounding atmospheric
testing was, in my opinion, a very minor addition compared to the few
seconds of new footage on the Castle Bravo test. It was that tidbit
of better footage that made the DVD significantly better than the tape.
I had
always wished there was more footage of the actual Bravo cloud instead
of just a few seconds mixed in with a lot of other Castle shots like
Romeo. The footage on the DVD was new to my eyes and it made sense of
a number of dissimilar stills of Bravo I've seen before.
So I guess
this is the main point of my letter. It is the excellent footage of
the actual mushroom clouds that fascinate me the most, and that is one
of the major things I hope to find more of when I purchase new items.
I have been able to purchase many of the DOE released tapes showing
test footage, but, as you know, the quality is poor, and without your
restoration techniques a lot is lost.
I'd love
to see a whole film on the Castle test series which compliles all of
the known footage of those detonations. I'd love to see footage of the
large Russian 57 MT test. I was disappointed in Trinity that we saw
the bomb fall, but we never saw the explosion of the largest bomb ever
detonated.
I hope
to buy the "Nukes in Space" and "Atomic Journeys" DVDs when they are
available, but I hope even more that they contain a lot of new detonation
footage. Of course I know with new music by William Stromberg, narration
by William Shatner, and a storyline I can count on, they are sure to
be excellent either way, but I would just love to see some more large
mushroom clouds.
Well anyway,
I still love the film, it's a great work. Thanks for listening to my
comments and thoughts. Keep up the good work.
Scott
Walter
Subj:
"TRINITY AND BEYOND"
Date: Thu, Jun 22, 2000 11:03 PM EDT
From: GEOFFREY_REINELT@telus.net
Dear Peter Kuran and VCE,
I am very glad that you have a web site. I saw "Trinity and Beyond"
and I thought it was extremely well done. The only other movie that
I saw about this topic before was "The Atomic Cafe," which I'm sure
you are familiar with. I am a military history enthusiast and I have
to tell you again how much I enjoyed your film. I have just recently
ordered some more from your company. I didn't know that so many people
were interested in the history of nuclear testing and in particular
American testing. As I understand it, your government has just recently
begun to de-classify the many, many reels of test footage.What I wanted
to ask you was:
1) Wasn't every detail of every test filmed? It seems
that we just get snippets from the media usually.
2) Have you viewed a lot of this film?
3) Is the U.S. government going to continue to release
this film?
4) Do you have any future plans for another movie on
this subject? Thank you very much for your time and for making that
fine film.
Best wishes,
Geoff Reinelt.
In answer to the above: Every aspect of Atomic
testing was assigned a Project number. Many projects were documented
by motion picture and still photography. Most film relating nuclear
is classified.
Subj:
Atomic Film Projects
Date: Tue, Jul 11, 2000 7:11 PM EDT
From: brandon@computercafe.com
I just
wanted to mention that I'm really excited to hear that you'll be releasing
DVD versions of "Nukes in Space" as well as "Atomic Journeys." Seeing
"Trinity and Beyond" was a real catalyst for my interest in the history
of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. This eventually led me to your
other videos as well as Dr. Shelton's books, all of which have a special
place in my collection of Cold War-related research material.
Subj:
"MOVIE REVIEW"
Date: Wed, Jul 12, 2000 10:32 PM EDT
From: GEOFFREY_REINELT@telus.net
To: vce@vce.com (Peter Kuran)
To Peter Kuran and VCE,
I have
just finished viewing "ATOMIC JOURNEYS" AND "NUKES IN SPACE" and have
now seen all four of your excellent collection on nuclear testing. I
just wanted to offer my reviews to you. Firstly, the style of the films
is nicely done, in that they are both informative and entertaining,
and make use of proven, familiar characteristics of great films. I really
liked the use of chronology and captioning in the films. They had an
old-fashioned newsreel feel to them. Your film editing is wonderfully
done and never bogs down. The films keep moving along and the choice
of the visual material is right on! Also, your remarkable film restoration
process is magnificent. These films are a wonderful achievement. William
Shatner's narration gives a warm credibility to the dialog. I have always
enjoyed his work. William Stromberg's musical scores keep pace with
the visuals and are original, dynamic, brilliant and superb. I think
he is a very gifted composer. These four films, beginning with "Trinity
and Beyond" represent a tremendous body of work and will become the
benchmark for this subject. Collectively and individually, these four
films are masterpieces of film-making. I want to offer my congratulations
and heartfelt thanks to you and VCE for producing them.
With very
best wishes,
Geoff Reinelt.
|