America's Atomic Bomb Tests #3: At Ground Zero

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At Ground Zero traces the story of the atomic bomb tests in the Southwest when entire communities were built to be leveled by the blast. Over the course of 11 detonations, tanks, foxholes, field hospitals, supply equipment, and structures were subjected to the bomb. Also, however, houses were erected complete with appliances, furnishings, carpeting, food, gas, and utilities. Neat tract-home bungalows and two-story Cape Cods had families of fully clothed mannequins inside watching television or having dinner, waiting to be mangled by the bomb. Sedans sat in the driveways, "loaned" by dealers (did they want them back afterwards?). Outside stood rows of mannequins wearing suits and dresses, mounted on stands, staring serenely toward oblivion. The overall effect is surreal, grotesque, and oddly fascinating. The heroic music and dry narration throughout are reminiscent of a Coronet Films documentary; one can almost hear the dry whir of a l6mm projector in a stuffy classroom. The last segment of the tape is a film meant for civilians, stressing the importance of Civil Defense preparedness. It's a snapshot of a fearful time and a reminder that the Fabulous '50s weren't all Elvis and sock hops. --Jerry Renshaw

From the back cover

The nuclear bomb was brought to America's doorstep during an unusual series of nuclear tests conducted in the Nevada desert in the 1950's. At Ground Zero contains the first-ever compilation of the full-length official documentaries that chronicle the effects of these tests as the full fury of a nuclear bomb is demonstrated on the typical American home. Three air-dropped bombs and eleven tower shots provide the backdrop for some of the most unusual blast effects footage ever seen. See the famous "exploding house" and the "atomic forest," all digitally mastered from the original four-color filmed footage. Watch troops march on ground zero as scientists and observers examine the almost complete destruction across the desert flats. This is At Ground Zero: full photographic coverage of the only tests ever conducted of a nuclear bomb on a typical American community.

Description

Full photographic coverage of the only tests ever conducted of the effects of a nuclear bomb on a typical American community. The nuclear bomb was brought to 'America's doorstep' during an unusual series of nuclear tests conducted in the Nevada desert in the 1950s. "At Ground Zero" contains the first ever compilation of the full length official documentaries that chronicle the effects of these tests as the full fury of a nuclear bomb is demonstrated on the typical American home.

Customer Reviews:

Good historical footage........2003-06-19

If you are looking for a well polished documentary, Trinity & Beyond is the best bet. This is a collection are old Army films, straight on to the DVD. Personally, I love these for sentimental reasons, and for historical interest. I would not want them altered in any way, and was very pleased with this purchase.

An excellent preservation of history.......2002-02-20

What this tape consists of is repackaged once-classified films. These films were used for training and lectures for affected personnel much as we currently use video tapes today. Because not all of the 'sanitized' films were declassified, there are gaps in the sound and visuals.

If you are interested in nuclear weapons and their effects, I recommend this series ...

Quite unspectacular.......2001-01-30

Dry diagrams and commentary, typical army instruction film. Interesting to historians, not to me.

amazing forgotten pieces of history.......1999-11-08

I've collected all of these, as well as "Atomic Cafe", and "Trinity & beyond"(which is terrific). "At Ground Zero" is a collection of 4 seperate films, all shot at the Nevada test site, just outside Las Vegas. Two of the films cover the same test, from different perspectives. One produced for the public and one produced just for the government.

Probably the best of the 3 videos in this series..........1999-11-07

This video is from original military films produced in the 1950's and 1960's by the Civil Defense and at Lookout Mountain Air Force film studio in Hollywood, CA. The "Operation CUE" section is particularly interesting; it gives a very telling view of our mindset during the 1950's regarding the survivability of a nuclear attack. A "typical housewife" guides us through the famous nuke test that was the first to be televised live. She shows us how a typical family and home would fare in an attack. It was meant to give confidence, but the disclamer tagged to the end of the film says, to paraphrase...these results are for a 20 KILOTON nuclear blast, an actual attack would probably use a multi MEGATON device...your milage may vary... Anyway, you get the idea. I've actually had fun running this section at parties. If you want a factual and more entertaining (in the normal sense) video on this topic, get "Trinity and Beyond", but if your interest goes deeper, I recommend these videos, especially volume #3.

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