Calder Hall

Nuclear power for the benefit of mankind: a look at the building of a modern atomic power station

Britain's atomic future is unveiled in this fascinating documentary about the construction of Calder Hall at Sellafield in Cumbria, the first industrial-scale nuclear power station in the world. After a rather dry classroom introduction to the basics of nuclear power, we're treated to a grandly optimistic postwar vision of the future - from the technical marvels of the construction process to the use of atomic energy for "the benefit of mankind".

The film was sponsored by the Atomic Energy Authority and produced by ACE Films Productions, who made many films for the nuclear power industry. Calder Hall was closed in 2003 after 47 years' service - having originally been intended to operate for 20 - and will take 100 years to fully decommission.