Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story
2026

Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story

The story of Britain's postwar atomic weapons programme and the devastating legacy for the thousands of service personnel who took part and the impact on their families and indigenous communities. This BBC Two film pieces together testimony and pioneering journalism - weaving chilling allegations of decades of cover up at the heart of government with the shattering human cost of Britain’s race to become a global nuclear power. 

Director

Simon Rawles

Runtime

74 Minutes

Country

United Kingdom

Classification

All Ages

This is the extraordinary story of Britain’s postwar atomic weapons programme and its devastating legacy. The film reveals the full extent of the British government’s nuclear tests in Australia and the South Pacific in the 1950s and 1960s. 

39,000 British and Commonwealth servicemen witnessed 45 atomic and hydrogen bombs and hundreds of radioactive experiments. The documentary exposes the debilitating health conditions that have blighted the lives of veterans, descendants and Australian Aboriginal communities ever since. 

Film Credits

Director

Simon Rawles

Year

2024

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Type

Feature Documentary

Producer

Steve Williams

Writer

Esella Hawkey

Editor

Steve Williams

Cast

Susie Boniface

Music

Jim Copperthwaite

Film Source

Hardcash Productions

Screening and Conversation

2026 Bettison and James Awardee Karina Lester in conversation with Gem Romuld preceded by a screening of Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story (2024), 60 mins.

When: Sun 25 Oct, 12:00pm Screening 1:15pm Talk

Where: The Mercury

Free admission, register below

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