“ MEDICAL EFFECTS OF THE ATOMIC BOMB ” 1949 U.S. ARMY RADIATION AND FALLOUT EDUCATIONAL FILM 28092

This US Army (:08) film was an early attempt at describing the impact of the atomic bomb and radiation. The primary example used is of Hiroshima in 1945. The bomb wiped out about 290,000; much of which were civilians. Most of the footage included is of the city paying special attention to the destruction of actual buildings avoiding any actual survivors. The breakdown of the atomic bomb is explained. It opens at 8:14 am on August 6th (:36) on the streets of Hiroshima (:40). Civilians (:47) witness the B-29 (Enola Gay) passing above (:50). A white hot explosion (1:10) follows. The camera pans over rubble (1:37) left in ’The Little Boys’ wake. The mushroom cloud from the explosion appears (1:59). War officials delight over new horizons of offensive war created by the atomic bomb (2:04). The Department of State at 320 21st Street NW (2:19) precedes the White House (2:27). The chemical process taking place within the atomic bomb follow (2:49). The periodic table of elements appears (3:25). Table salt (3:38) is set under a microscope (3:45). A view follows through the electron microscope (3:54). Chemical compounds are broken down (4:11). Plutonium or uranium 235 is at the center of the atomic bomb (4:37). Nuclear fission is demonstrated (4:43). The electron magnetic field (7:26) follows. Fission reaction of the atom bomb is looked to (8:05). Alpha particle (9:18) and beta particle ranges’ (9:30) are shown. Gamma rays (9:44) are highly penetrating. Alpha particles pass through the outer layers of human tissue (10:54). Beta particles pass deeper (11:03), and gamma deeper still (11:12). Radiation causes ionization of human cells (11:32). The erratic course of the neutron is traced (12:14). The location of peak ionization (13:02) is noted within the body. A diagram details whole body radiation (13:15). An animation shows the bomb falling (14:05) and the release of thermal energy (14:14). The pressure wave and cyclonic winds follow in animation (14:34). The mushroom cloud tower follows in actual footage (14:58). Decimated lands of Hiroshima; a sea of stubbed buildings, follow (15:20). Ground zero is highlighted (15:30) as the zone of highest human mortality (15:42). Wrecked wheels from factory machines note the location of a factory (15:51). Earthquake resistant steel still remains (15:58). Wrangled wrought iron gating (16:02) hang from concrete buildings. The narrator mentions the effects on bodies exposed to radiation as the camera view pans over stone statues (16:38). High temperatures preclude the mechanical force of the blast (16:46). A deep underground shelter is pictured (16:52). The view pans away from the center of the blast (17:21) to detail blast effect away from the center (17:46). A tower leans forward from it’s foundation (17:57). The wrath of the extended blast causes a general distortion (18:03). The effect is noted on stone versus brick walls (18:39). A squat house bends inward (18:48). Smoke continues to stream from short circuits and cooking stoves (18:52). The flight path of the injured is considerably difficult (19:14). Destruction is captured at the outer reaches of the target (19:24). Flames lick at debris (19:32). The rate of mortality is traced from through the blast zone to the outer rim (20:49). The path of neutrons and gamma rays (21:29) are traced. Radiation affects are compared (21:52) on those wholly exposed to radiation compared to those with some protection (22:03). Radiation passes easily through light framed buildings (22:32). Further injury and death result from decimated hospitals and medical treatment centers (26:18). Sirens ring out (27:13), explosions pop (27:18) and pilots navigate the sky (27:22) in an example of traditional bombing. After the explosion (28:00) fire fighters and rescue squads can enter the scene. Female telephone operators work the switchboard (28:38) as other functions of the city continue with little hindrance. Water still runs (28:46) and injured are rescued (28:49). Vehicles run through open city streets (28:55). A city unearths itself following a heavy bombing (29:27). Living bury the dead (29:43). The atomic bomb renders a city incapable of recuperating (30:11). Public transits sits wasted (30:41), water systems are ruined (30:48) and only the frame of a medical plant remain (31:05). Motion picture films don’t last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. If you have endangered films you’d like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit