Shown as part of a season of films and programmes to do with nuclear energy on BBC4, this film was repeated and interested me because I knew nothing of the facility or its history. Although the temptation is to deliver a hand-wringing look at the contamination that the facility would eventually cause (it is currently being decommissioned), the film doesn't rush to this and instead it takes the time to tell the story of the conception of the project, the construction and the way that project represented Britain leading the way in science and technology. Of course after this we get to the point where oversight and lack of long term planning see a breakout of contamination and the political winds turning against nuclear power.
This approach makes for a very even handed documentary that is of historical and cultural interest. It doesn't hammer home any agenda and it stays as balanced when discussing radioactive particles being discussed on a beach 20 miles from Dounreay as it is when it is looking at the complexity of the construction project. Ken Stott's narration helps confirm this approach by delivering in such a way that he sounds interested in the subject (pretty important) without pushing emotion in a false way. The various contributions are also well chosen and used. Everyone has something of value to say and the range of people compliments the balanced approach (from farmers and mothers to scientists and politicians).
The film offers no answers and doesn't really have an agenda that it seems to be pushing. Obviously there are points being made about the inherent risks and the issue over managing a legacy of radioactive waste, but overall the film is well-balanced, even-handed and engaging.
This approach makes for a very even handed documentary that is of historical and cultural interest. It doesn't hammer home any agenda and it stays as balanced when discussing radioactive particles being discussed on a beach 20 miles from Dounreay as it is when it is looking at the complexity of the construction project. Ken Stott's narration helps confirm this approach by delivering in such a way that he sounds interested in the subject (pretty important) without pushing emotion in a false way. The various contributions are also well chosen and used. Everyone has something of value to say and the range of people compliments the balanced approach (from farmers and mothers to scientists and politicians).
The film offers no answers and doesn't really have an agenda that it seems to be pushing. Obviously there are points being made about the inherent risks and the issue over managing a legacy of radioactive waste, but overall the film is well-balanced, even-handed and engaging.
