BBC Factual announces two new historical and scientific films

BBC Factual today announces two new one-off films from History and Science for BBC Two and iPlayer: Britain’s Nuclear Test Veterans (with or without accompaniment) tells the extraordinary story of Britain’s post-war atomic weapons programme and the devastating consequences for the thousands of servicemen and women who took part in it, and OceanGate (with or without accompaniment) examines what exactly happened to the submersible that caused it to implode? And why would Titan’s inventor, Stockton Rush, have ignored repeated, strident safety warnings from submersible experts and even his own engineers?

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual, said: “These are two hugely exciting films for Specialist Factual at the BBC. I was stunned when I read the treatment of Britain’s Nuclear Test Veterans, which explores the extraordinary legacy of Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s. It’s a film that should shock the nation. And with incredible access to the ongoing Coastguard investigation, OceanGate (with translation) tells the inside story of how the Titan submarine disaster unfolded. It’s complex, moving and horribly gripping.”

British nuclear test veterans (with testimony)

“There is a white flash. You could never describe the depth of the flash or the intensity of that white light. Even though my fists were clenched and pressed into my eyes, I could see every bone, tendon and blood line. Like a living X-ray.” (British veteran stationed on Christmas Island, 1958)

Britain’s Nuclear Test Veterans (w/t) reveals the extent of the British government’s nuclear testing in remote parts of Australia and the South Pacific in the 1950s and 1960s, exposing the debilitating health conditions that have blighted the lives of some veterans, descendants and indigenous people ever since.

Skin cancers, tumors, heart disease, leukemia, stillbirths and birth defects are among the many debilitating medical conditions suffered by some service members and their children. They have campaigned for decades to have their problems recognized and heard.

This powerful film raises questions about the troubling legacy and devastating human costs of Britain’s race to become a global nuclear power.

Britain’s Nuclear Test Veterans (wt), a 1×60′ for BBC Two and iPlayer, is produced by Hardcash Productions. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Commissioning Manager, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Esella Hawkey and the Film, Production and Direction are by Simon Rawles. The Editor is Simon Young, Commissioning Manager, History

OceanGate (with)

OceanGate (w/t), a 1×60′ for BBC Two and iPlayer, explores the great mysteries behind the tragedy that captured the world’s attention when it claimed the lives of five people in the North Atlantic in 2023.

Inventor Stockton Rush died in the implosion that destroyed Titan; did his previous successful dives on the Titanic make him overconfident?

The filmmakers have unprecedented access to the U.S. Coastguard Marine Board’s investigation into the disaster: their return to the scene to recover more evidence, their scientific tests on the wreck, and the testimony of witnesses who will testify at an upcoming two-week hearing. Despite all the speculation, no one knows exactly what happened to Titan that fateful day. Coast Guard investigators are examining different theories about why the submersible went down.

The film will also explore Rush’s motivations, interviewing those who knew him well and who have unique insight into his ability to inspire people, his engineering skills and his journey. It will also include never-before-seen footage of Titan’s final successful dive to the Titanic and Rush’s final interview recorded for mainstream television.

OceanGate (w/t), a 1×60′ for BBC Two and iPlayer, is co-produced by Discovery Channel USA, CBC in Canada and ZDF in Germany. It is a UK/Canada co-production with Renegade Stories in the UK and Galafilm in Quebec, Canada. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Commissioning Manager, Crime, and Joanna Carr, Current Affairs. The Executive Producer is Alan Hayling and the Editors are Tom Coveney, Commissioning Manager, Science and Sarah Waldron, Executive Producer.