A Very British Deterrent
The story of the remarkable events, power relationships and secret deals done half a century ago to secure Britain's very first submarine-launched nuclear missiles.
With Trident renewed for another generation, A Very British Deterrent tells the story of the remarkable events, eye-watering costs, power relationships and secret deals done half a century ago to secure Britain's very first submarine-launched nuclear missiles.
In today's turbulent world, it is a story that is more relevant than ever. At the height of the Cold War, a series of political and technical crises came close to leaving Britain without a nuclear weapon of its own. In a time of unprecedented international tension and with the world locked in a terrifying nuclear arms race, one small loch in Scotland became a crucial bargaining chip to keep Britain in the nuclear game.
Using the personal letters of prime ministers and presidents, eye-witness accounts and once-secret documents, this film explores how the British prime minister Harold Macmillan seized every opportunity to further Britain's nuclear ambitions, was prepared to trade a Scottish base for a new American weapon, and even jeopardised the crucial Anglo-American relationship to keep Britain an independent nuclear power.
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...and how is a little dawg involved?
Clips
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Skybolt sale
Duration: 01:32
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Polaris protests
Duration: 02:09
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Executive Producer | Jo Roe |
Producer | Colin Murray |
Director | Colin Murray |
Harold MacMillan | Simon Williams |
Dwight D Eisenhower | Colin Stinton |
Dickie Mountbatten | Timothy Wallers |
Arleigh Burke | Paul Birchard |
John F Kennedy | Matt Rippy |