Atomic Age Declassified (2019)

Episode Overview

In the episode "Filming the Bomb," we explore how cameras became as crucial as the nuclear weapons themselves. In 2017, the U.S. declassified films capturing a series of nuclear tests, providing scientists with the last glimpses of thermonuclear detonations we hope to never witness again. The process of obtaining these films spanned years and required numerous nuclear detonations. In Los Angeles, Lookout Mountain, a covert film studio staffed by Hollywood talent, created a wide array of films targeting diverse groups—from policymakers to military personnel, scientists, and the general public. Their mission was to persuade everyone, including themselves, that they understood how to control this formidable power. Many of these films are being unveiled for the first time, offering fresh insights into one of history's most perilous eras. Newly declassified films, images, and documents are revealing more about the Cold War than we previously realized.