Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella

[@FaberOptime]

Your valuable recollections are appreciated. Let them never be forgotten. I absolutely agree that the closer one comes to understanding all the meanings underlying the simple words said, the more disconcerting it all becomes. Many of the implications, such as from that you mentioned, "stay where you know and are known" (anywhere less familiar may soon be totally unrecognisable, as may you), are horrific in their fatalism. Thanks for the reminders.

[@FaberOptime]

Thanks for your feedback mate - appreciated. I'm pleased you found it useful. I presume the news coverage you mentioned was referring to the full set of Protect and Survive PIFs, rather than this short film. I should emphasise that this work does not comprehensively present all of the advice found in the PIFs. I just chose those most lucid, futile and emotive of contents I could to best promote proactive disarmament.

[@FaberOptime]

Alas the dangers have yet to go away. I applaud both your awareness and calls to action.

[@AngeloAngelus]

hey faber,i totally agree and we the people who love life should stay together and support in all ways the life on the planet,protect by creating an awarness on people who are ignorant of such delicate matter,and help our brothers and sisters to realize how wonderful is to live in peace

[@anysnail]

i just keep watching this video over and over. i think i'm quite addicted to the melancholy.

[@mower]

Effective use of the clip from "Threads" It was shown here (Canada) once more than 20 years ago and still haunts me to this day.

[@FaberOptime]

Thanks for your comment Cathie - while so ever there are the weapons, there will be this risk to all. I very much thank you for your appreciation of the issue - something many wish to kick right out of mind nowadays, irrespective of the continuing risks. Let us hope others pay heed and begin to campaign for nuclear disarmament.

[@FaberOptime]

Thank you for your kind feedback! Yes I couldn't have invented anything better than Floyd's Great Gig In The Sky to underscore the starker themes of the second half. I'm actually most proud of the section around 05:54 ("and I am not frightened of dying...") - still brings shivers to my spine!

[@FaberOptime]

I hope and pray you're right! Any/all actions you can take to circulate and promote others thinking about the dangers of nuclear weapons, appreciated.

[@KelleyColleen]

Very cool presentation...very cool background music. The Brits were very creative making their fall out shelters. Start collecting those doors and sand now.

[@riceboy1701e]

I have subbed to the entire Protect and Survive series. Fascinating, yet informative. I also own "Threads", "The Day After" and a vintage copy of "When the Wind Blows", as well as a news mockumentary "Special Bulletin". I have read, exhaustively: "Alas, Babylon" and "On the Beach" (I also have the b&w movie). Needless to say, nuclear holocaust is a favorite subject of mine. Thank you for an excellent look back at the time when nuclear war was a very real and frightening possibility.

[@FaberOptime]

Hey Mike, Did a bit of homework about this - whilst it may have been distributed by some local authorities to some communities, this was not consistently the case throughout the UK. The booklet you referred to was produced in anticipation of a need to provide civil defence info to the public in the event of a clear and present nuclear threat. It was never intended for general circulation (though was made available for sale in light of parliamentary/public interest).

[@FaberOptime]

"Start collecting them now!" Prey we never actually do have to think about preparing/protecting/burying ourselves in the manner specified...

[@mikesey1]

Hi mate. Some obtained a copy of the "Protect & Survive" book after watching a free showing of the BBC film "The War Game" which was banned from broadcast until much later. I remember the book being given out after a showing of that film, I think before it was distributed free by some local councils. The film was shown at libraries and Town halls, with a civil-defence remit. If you can ever get to see "The War Game" It maybe as chilling as it was when first made.

[@FaberOptime]

Indeed, the focus has changed, but not been lost...

[@djch123]

It's funny, I remember these and the sound of 'fallout'. Living in East Anglia near the USAF bases we knew we'd be first and had practise drills, the farmer had the siren for the 4 minute warning. The line stay at home 'it's the place you know and where you are known', seems really chilling.

[@FaberOptime]

@Kibaruto96 - Fallout is radioactive dust thrown into the atmosphere. The dust may be so fine that it may be almost imperceptible.

[@FaberOptime]

@mower - Thanks for your comment. Yes I thought it was a most appropriate inclusion in context. The nuclear threat, though nowadays somewhat diminished, remains to us all and talked about in the abstract, the realities of it seem perhaps too far from home even to be understood. I hope you'll share this vid with all, pursuant to promoting further disarmament (kudos to the US/Russian presidents for continuing to walk this path). Let us all encourage further.

[@FaberOptime]

Thank you very muchly! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hard to find something that had the right tugs on the ole heartstrings and that didn't conflict with or overwhelm the more important thematic materials being presented. Did feel particularly proud of myself on use of Floyd during the mid-flight Threads excerpt... Agreed RE no Trident replacement - would seem like a very obvious, progressive and economic policy change to make.

[@FaberOptime]

@racer927 - "Living under the nuclear sword of Damocles" is surely a most excellent expression to describe the realities of it all.

[@FaberOptime]

An excellent question! You might consider: - Canvassing your MP/representative, expressing wishes to decrease/remove both domestic and foreign nuclear stockpiles; - Offer your personal and/or financial support to anti-nuclear arms campaigns/initiatives; - Communicate and share these important messages with others; - Ensure that, through your actions, you help the world become a better, safer place for us all, together. Any and all additional, constructive suggestions gratefully received!

[@SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

btw..it took me half the video to realize who was singing/playing in the backgroud. LOVE it...!

[@FaberOptime]

Shocking stuff huh... Let us not forget, these still represent the best government advice and guidance about the current risks to us all and our families... I hope you'll pass along...

[@FaberOptime]

I can just hear Eric Idle's tuneful words echoing in my mind now! :-)

[@FaberOptime]

Hi mrh112, Thanks for your active interest. Your 1st para makes an important point - whilst nukes remain available, they remain a risk. I'm sure you aren't arguing that USE of nukes could ever be ethical. Nukes do not provide any credible protection (though granted arguably a deterrent) - all they can achieve is retaliatory decimation. Thankfully in the real world substantial steps have already been made to decrease these risks. I implore further progress and hope you would support.

[@FaberOptime]

Hi Mary, Glad you appreciated it. As to the music, gracious me no! Put there entirely at my artistic indulgence!! You correctly identified Pink Floyd, Portishead being the other (full credits included at end of vid). The soundtracks of the original materials are very much as you'd expect public service announcements to be - primarily the narrator with some very nominal sound effects. I'd encourage you to take a look at the (perhaps more chilling) originals - see the link in the vid's info.

[@FaberOptime]

Quite so, if/as/when the four minute warning sounds, it's going to be too late to do anything. But consider further. The film comprises the best you could possibly do - do you believe this would be sufficient to save your life? I would draw your attention to the lack of advice as to what to do if/when you come out of shelter (apart from bury the dead)... Is not the only meaningful preparation we as a people can make for such a scenario is to seek advance disarmament?

[@FaberOptime]

Let us work together to ensure that it never happens! I recognise both you and your sister's perspectives. On the one hand, one would wish to protect one's nearest and dearest, on the other, any preparation is utterly futille. I guess my film in toto articulates and endorses that latter view. The only defence we have against this prevailing risk is to campaign to ensure that it can never be allowed to happen. Take to the streets to support disarmament in preference to preparing for armageddon!

[@weefrasey1]

great movie man this will realy help people it was also on the news a while ago and it sais if there is ever a threat of nuclear attack the bbc will turn of all the tv channals and play this and put it on radios so they can hear how to keep safe thanks for puting this up :)

[@FaberOptime]

@MrStartrekepisodes - Quite right on the risks of nuclear winter.

[@FaberOptime]

That's right a snippet is from Threads - it is acknowledged in the credits. Likely because I'm originally a Sheffield lad born and bred (where Threads was filmed - check out this film's geotag), I couldn't think of an any more lucid way to illustrate the sheer futility of it all.

[@FaberOptime]

@ElProfGringo - Whilst you're absolutely right on the ongoing risks, I have doubts as to the effectiveness of civil defence preparations such as those shown in the vid...

[@FaberOptime]

Thanks! I hope it helps to raise awareness and shake complacency.

[@FaberOptime]

Thanks Sarah.

[@GREIVINGDEATH]

thats good you have these you should post them everywhere i'll post it on my bebo even though its not likely to happen!!!

[@FaberOptime]

Mary Hopkins would have been a strong voice indeed! Kudos for naming her here! :)

[@williamdouglasb]

Great job and great website!

[@riceboy1701e]

Well, gee...this looks familiar. If it does, it should...it was featured in the 1984 nuke movie "Threads" the morning of the attack on Sheffield. And there are sound clips throughout the entire first half of the movie. Glad to see it posted here in its entirety.

[@FaberOptime]

Of course one cannot disinvent something, but following, it is all of our responsibility to determine where to from there. Good will and good faith give a strong basis for cooperative progress. I'm grateful to all who have made the current moves towards substantial disarmament both desirable and possible. Here's to hoping for further more!

[@FaberOptime]

Facinating. Certainly local authorities led - I believe in most areas it was not freely distributed (local civil defence authority plans typically had that action held in reserve), but sold on request for 50p, as per central govt directives. Notwithstanding the unpublished PIFs (from which this film was made), the occasional documentary and slices of government propaganda, be very curious to see/find out more about the TV ads you referred to - I had no idea there had ever even been such things!

[@FaberOptime]

My apologies - I did acknowledge in the credits but didn't comment on it further in the info. It is an excerpt from the movie Threads. Though quite hard to find, it is available on DVD.

[@tonyweston9]

@FaberOptime The original video speaks for itself, there is little room for 'artistic' intervention to stir further emotion. One tries to live the moment of the time only to be distracted by singing and drums, but that is just me. Maybe if the music was turned down quite a bit then perhaps I could begin to appreciate what you've done?

[@FaberOptime]

@tonyweston9 - I'm gratified that you found the (extremely carefully compiled and edited, with bias!) video content sufficiently compelling in and of itself. As to the music volume, I've had criticisms that it's both too loud and too quiet, so evidently struck some balance... I felt it important to not present the footage in an entirely straight manner, for fear of the guidance therein being taken too seriously - after all, this vid was designed to provoke folk to think again.

[@FaberOptime]

Not sure I understood you properly - please do come back if I have not understood you correctly. I meant that the risks posed by a single, motivated individual are different to those posed by nuclear armed states. Not having nukes does not mean having no defence. Unless we do not care whom/what we kill, perhaps use of nuclear arms is as wrong by many as it is by one, no?

[@FaberOptime]

You aren't going mad! You correctly identified background music #1 of 2, as stated in the film's closing credits! Thought it most apt... Do you agree?

[@FaberOptime]

Hi Martyn, You're very welcome to publically display my vid and I would be happy to field any queries arising on here. I'm sorry that the original source material seems to have gone walkabout. Can but suggest you search for "Protect and Survive" and see if the original public information films are still kicking around.

[@Dharkhaze17]

Myself and my family live in a bugalow but with an upstairs built in. There are houses but about 10 minuetes away. So we're fucked if there is ever an explosion?

[@mikesey1]

I'm old enough to remember this guide and the paranoid campaign that went with it. I still have the guide somewhere, with its advice to make a "shelter" lean-to, out of old doors and boxes. (!) Pathetic. Thanks for posting this.

[@JimmyPeep]

These adverts scared the shit out of me as a kid. Thanks British Government for traumatising my childhood.

[@FaberOptime]

Since KZbin provides no means to update a vid with a changed version, I think I will have to leave the current audio track as is. Though does prompt an open question - should I add annotations/closed captioning to provide for the hard of hearing?

[@FaberOptime]

Major smiles abounding! I see you have some familiarity with the place!! A common and popular FACT that NZ is host to more sheep than people!! As the man on the TV says, "enjoy...paradise."! Thanks for your kind wishes. :-) Of course this remains an active issue for all in the nuclear armed world.

[@FaberOptime]

All ratings and comments gratefully received!

[@FaberOptime]

@rugbyf0rlife - the song titles/artists were in the credits at the end of the vid too ;-)

[@FaberOptime]

I believe there is a sentiment amongst international leaders to depreciate nuclear arms and I support that. It will be easier to win the principled arguement when key proponents are not hypocritically retaining their own nuclear arms. Agree with you absolutely as to the discrimination of soldiers compared to nuclear arms - it's a fundamental distinction.

[@mikesey1]

It certainly was produced in anticipation: a nuclear war had not happened yet! As far as I know all London authorities gave this booklet to all households for free; ours came through the door. I worked for the MoD at the time and this was the info I was given. As for more suburban councils, perhaps they were not considered so at risk of being annihilated so didn't get a book., but I shall check. The booklet was heavily advertised on TV.

[@FaberOptime]

You did well to obtain copy as the government of the day made extreme efforts to ensure that public scrutiny was denied as far as it could be. I agree, it does seem pathetic, though when you think about it, the same risks and possible personal mitigations still haven't changed. I hope you will support initiatives to encourage Brown to reconsider replacing Britain's nuclear "deterrent".

[@cathiefredrickson]

This a good but sad reminder of the need to have shelter, as the possibility of nuclear threat still exists!!!!!! Thanks for the reminder, 5 ***** from me!!!!!

[@FaberOptime]

Yes, quite shocking really! I trust you passed on link to the full source vids (as per listed in "More Info") to him? Though it is thirty odd years old now, the guidance is still pertinent today...

[@rockmom62]

The thought of Humans destroying Humans, is unsettling. "Love One Another"

[@FaberOptime]

An aged reference, but a very pertinent one. The Doomsday Clock has continued to be maintained since 1947 and presently stands at six minutes to midnight. It continues to be shown on every issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and its recorded history makes for interesting, if chilling, reading (see wikipedia). Thanks for raising.

[@FaberOptime]

@JimmyPeep/zakalon123 - As I understood, these films weren't generally released or shown - they were produced in preparedness for an imminent nuclear threat, which thankfully never emerged. Released to public under 30yr rule. Moreover in contrast to the majority of other PIFS produced, these were not targeting a youth audience. The questions of how best to address and educate kids on the dangers of life remains an active one and in my experience the PIFS had comparatively pretty bland content.

[@FaberOptime]

@Dharkhaze17 - Basically, yes... That said, the power of contemporary nukes infer that for us all, pretty much irrespective...

[@chopsticks8204]

I wish there was no music in the background...

[@FaberOptime]

Well I didn't want it to conflict with the narration. Did try it at a few different levels during production and louder meant that at times it was challenging to make out the narration from the background songs' lyrics. Granted not perfect I'm sure!

[@MaxKrovenOfficial]

hey, i'm an english spanish translator.. i must say the translation of the captions from english to spanish was very fairly accurate and clear.. guess google is doing a good job in globalization, huh?

[@FaberOptime]

Yes, whilst tides in the affairs of man bring this issue closer to us at times, it is something the world has unfortunately come to live with. I am affirmed in my view that maintenance of existing states' nuclear capabilities does nothing to discourage proliferation. Further multilateral disarmament efforts through the UN seem merited.

[@FaberOptime]

@rugbyf0rlife - there's two songs - firstly "Roads" by Portishead; secondly "The Great Gig In The Sky" by Pink Floyd.

[@FaberOptime]

I'm sorry you're having problems. A similar comment has been made before. Unfortunately once a movie is published you can't update it with any improved version. :-( Perhaps you could try listening on better speakers or headphones? Keep listening through to get to the Floyd too! I'm pleased you thought it(/they) go well with the content - was a tricky choice indeed... Kind wishes.

[@FaberOptime]

Good for us all!

[@FaberOptime]

It was the exact corollary of that argument that was used to justify the original blasts upon Hiroshima/Nagasaki - better a couple of bombs droped rather than many battles. Whilst there's arguements on both sides on that one, there's one thing of which we can be sure - nuclear weapons impact indiscrimately, making no distinction between soldiers and civilians. This reason alone should outlaw and prohibit them under international conventions.

[@FaberOptime]

@jeseiscool - " A sufficient amount of supplies to last 2 weeks, and a radiation suit, are really all you will need [for the first couple of weeks]." Make no mistake Jese - surviving the blast is only one of the challenges and the impacts to our longer term survival, barely even touched upon in this film, would be profound and likely fatal to most. Community preparedness seems largely, woefully inadequate for the vast majority of possible post-blast scenarios...

[@jeannetteellis4926]

i watched this as a kid on the telly .... scared the hell out of me ... we thought it was really going to happen in the 1080s .... even now i still plan where my fall out shelter is going to be in my house ( it must have traumatised me ) LOL

[@FaberOptime]

@tonyweston9 - Sorry you didn't appreciate the artistic component there. I was quite proud of the outcomes, especially @ 5:52 onwards... Few pieces of music that could come close to complementing the content in any way, but I hope the two selected do some adequate, reciprocal justice.

[@FaberOptime]

A fair point. It is sanguin indeed that one of the things we fear most as a people is a thing of our own creation. There are many nuclear arms estimates in the public domain, all decidedly disconcerting, for nuclear and non-nuclear states alike. More than enough to mess up the world for everyone multiple times over. Let us all work together to diminish and minimise the threats inferred by such weapons.

[@FaberOptime]

Glad you said "almost" there! :) Great that you found it effective though - all to easy to forget nowadays the realities of what having a "nuclear deterrent" actually infers. Agreed there's much (political, economic and most importantly humanitarian) merit to moving to a non-nuclear (weapons holding) stance.

[@FaberOptime]

@101Veener - Maybe you would survive the initial blast/impacts in a substantial shelter, but likelihood of medium to long-term survival is slight. When the earth and water are poisoned, the sky so full of debris no sun can reach the soil and disease and deprivation run rampant, the question of survival is far more than just "will I survive the blast." Put it this way, ff I were a betting man, I wouldn't be putting money on it.

[@FaberOptime]

It's another case in point.

[@FaberOptime]

@MaxKroven - Yes, I must admit I've not had manual translation done on any of the dialogue, so kudos due to Google Translate team! :-)

[@FaberOptime]

Thank you for keeping your language clean. I agree that the British government has not only the right but the obligation of defending its peoples. That said, it is right to question whether excessive, continuing investment required to maintain nukes is justifiable or wise. Such weapons are not morally acceptable by any internationally recognised standard (WORSE than already banned chemical/biological?!) so keeping = not good. Support Britain and the world by campaigning for their removal.

[@FaberOptime]

Mission accomplished! I hope this film continues to help to promote understanding of this profoundly disturbing topic. Did you mean specifically the Protect and Survive logo and jingle? I too find them disconcertingly jarring. I hope you'll join me in supporting disarmament.

[@FaberOptime]

Also worth a KZbin search for "Duck and Cover" - the preceding American version...

[@PseudoPseudoDionysius]

I want my innocence back.

[@FaberOptime]

You correctly identify a common contemporary justification for continued nuclear arms retention. Of course it rather poses the unanswered question "when does it become ethical to use these weapons?" or to put more luridly, "when is it okay to indiscriminately kill civilians?" If you take a view that "never" is the only possible answer, then pursuing disarmament is the naturally following action point arising.

[@FaberOptime]

I very much support your wish for education about these things very much worth thinking about. To further your research, I'd strongly recommend you read detailed case studies about Hiroshima and Nagasaki - the effects of the use of nuclear weapons are certainly not all immediate and/or obvious. You may also wish to find out more about the idea of a "Nuclear Winter", a prospect indeed with potentially global implications.

[@FaberOptime]

The reasons for the origin of these weapons are a matter for the history books. Thank goodness we lived to see better days. That said, all those who live in nuclear armed countries have a part to play in ensuring the risks continue to diminish.

[@101Veener]

Please answer this: If we build far underground vaults will we still survive?

[@TheCandygod]

I actualy am quite glad because i have also just found out that sellafield (dont know if you know it big power station in cumbria) is no longer a major nucleur target. so unless some terrorists have an unatural hatred of sheep i should be alright. kinda

[@FaberOptime]

Thanks back! Nice to be appreciated. :-)

[@FaberOptime]

@TeAmoToros - I put up this vid in the hopes of encouraging viewers to do more than just hope for the best. While so ever the weapons remain, the risks remain. We must actively encourage our representatives towards multilateral disarmament and safe disposal. I think the cold war is a lucid example as to why we must compel this path - for fear of the alternative.

[@FaberOptime]

I should note that this is a very selective edit and does not comprise the complete "Protect and Surivive" films. Please see the references in the "More Info" to find the entirety.

[@FaberOptime]

Thank you and a happy new year to you too! I made this vid to spark thought and discussion, so don't apologise! RE UN - perhaps least imperfect solution?

[@FaberOptime]

Yea... Friends down the road in Greenwich...

[@FaberOptime]

A shame so few people are aware of it nowadays. In addition to huge, existing US/Russian arsenals, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Iran are all actively aspiring to nuclear armourment... It should remain a matter of considerable concern.

[@FaberOptime]

Would be to rather miss the point! When you discover of how to make a safe place - do let the world know. Until then, do consider that whilst so ever there are nuclear weapons, there's significant risk to lives, with nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

[@FaberOptime]

Consider yourself blessed to have been brought this brain fodder in your schooling. Many live in total ignorance of what nukes really infer.

[@mikesey1]

Well done, mate. Right as ever! It certainly WAS one of the more left-wing local councils that showed "The War Game": the London borough of Lewisham: I saw the film in the old Town Hall at New Cross, SE14. When it was broadcast, manyb years later: it was still edited! Good on yer Faber! Mike.

[@mikesey1]

Not really, mate, they were delivered to every household, including mine! If we are talking of the "Protect and survive" booklet, that is. Mike.

[@MaryStewart]

sweet vid! is the music in the original? i heard "great gig in the sky"

[@FaberOptime]

Well if you mean as a people, since I am an Englishman born and bred, I'd have to say yes! Though if you mean in terms of Brits' safety, as long as nuclear weapons remain in the world, the risks alluded to in this film also remain.

[@MERVskilton]

awesome video Fabre O