1. Home
  2. Library Collections
  3. Audiovisual Materials Collection
  4. The Decision to Drop The Bomb

Motion Picture MP66-16

The Decision to Drop The Bomb

Administrative Information

Footage
882 feet
Running Time
24 minutes 30 seconds
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
NBC News
Restrictions
Restricted
Description

Part one of a three part television documentary about events leading up to the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

Date(s)
1965

SD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are available for $20, and HD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are $50. Copies of motion pictures not already digitized will incur additional costs.

This item does not circulate but reproductions may be purchased.

To request a copy of this item, please contact truman.reference@nara.gov​​​​​​​

Please note that this video belongs to a different video collection than the items available to be borrowed by teachers, from our Education Department.

Moving Image Type
Motion Picture

Shot List

  • Reel 1
     
00:00   Introduction – Beatles, missiles blast off, World War II, dropping of A-Bomb .
02:15   Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death – crowds.
03:00   Harry S. Truman taking oath of office.
03:30   Secretary of War – Henry Stimson; McGeorge Bundy tells of Stimson telling Truman about the Atomic bomb.
04:20   Pentagon scene – General Leslie Groves.
04:50   Secretary of State Edward Stettinius – also Congress (brief shots).
05:00   Atomic Lab – Dr. Leo Sziland.
05:10   Mrs. Sziland talks about husband and development of bomb.
06:45   Harry S. Truman talks to Congress, April 1945.
07:30   War scenes – Europe.
08:00   War scenes – Pacific.
08:30   Oak Ridge, Tennessee – nuclear plant.
09:00   McGeorge Bundy continues story of Stimson talking to Truman.
10:00   General Groves talks about the report to Truman on A-Bomb.
10:45   War scenes – Berlin.
11:00   John McCloy – (assistant to Stimson) talks about Stimson and bomb committee – Bundy continues – Groves continues.
12:20   Shot of James Byrnes.
12:40   Groves continues talking with George Marshall and Hap Arnold as to use of bomb.
13:15   May 8 – Germany military surrender scenes.
14:30   509th Group in New Mexico practices.
15:15   European desolation.
15:40   Churchill urges Big 3 meeting. Bundy tells how Stimson suggests delay as to test weapon.
16:30   Meeting of bomb committee, May 9 – Member tells about discussions.
17:45   Groves tells about target committee discussions.
18:30   Joint Chiefs of Staff talk about post-European War plans – attack home islands. Operations Olympic – noA-Bomb.
19:20   B-29 raid scenes.
19:45   Japanese side. Advisor to Emperor talks. Colonel Haishi talks about intent to cause high casualties. Sako meso.
21:30   Harry S. Truman delays Big 3 meeting – Groves continues – targets had been selected for approval. His meeting with Stimson. Kyoto first target – Stimson vetoes – cultural center.