Protect and Survive
|
|
Protectandsurvivemain.jpg
| Contents |
Purposes
The purpose of the program was to provide members of the British public with instructions on how to protect themselves and survive a nuclear attack. If such an attack had been deemed likely by the Government during any period of international crisis, a copy of the main "Protect and Survive" booklet would have been distributed to every home in the UK whilst the films would have been transmitted on domestic television. The booklet and the films detailed a series of steps to be undertaken by the citizens of the UK to improve their chances of survival during a Soviet nuclear attack, including the recognition of attack warning, fallout warning, and all-clear signals, the preparation of a home "fallout room" (fallout shelter) and the stockpiling of food, water, and other emergency supplies. The films, narrated by actor Patrick Allen, were similar to the pamphlets, detailing the same instructions using voice-over narration, sound effects, and simple animation. All of the "Protect and Survive" PIFS were produced by Richard Taylor Cartoons, which also created the well-known "Charley Says" films for UK TV.
Social Impact
The "Protect and Survive" documents were simply designed, easy to understand, and in keeping with the advice of most other emergency planning authorities of the time. In the opinion of some contemporary critics, however, the films of the "Protect and Survive" series were deeply and surprisingly fatalistic in tone. This created some impact upon the popular culture of the era: the animated film When the Wind Blows referenced "Protect and Survive", and the BBC telefilm Threads quoted directly from two of the series' films, Action After Warnings and Casualties. Narrator Allan was also featured in the song "Two Tribes" by the UK pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, saying "Mine is the last voice you will ever hear. Do not be alarmed" in a tone similar to that used by him in the PIFs. The leaflet series became an easy target for anti-nuclear campaigners (such as E. P. Thompson), who produced Protest and Survive.
Quotes
P&sbomb.jpg
External link
- Protect and Survive website (http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic/index.htm)