Hiroshima

Hiroshima recounts the events surrounding the world’s first nuclear attack and its aftermath. This BBC docudrama, narrated by John Hurt, covers a three-week period from the Trinity test to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It combines historical reenactments, firsthand eyewitness accounts, and computer-generated imagery to depict the planning, execution, and consequences of this momentous event.

The documentary features interviews with six Japanese survivors, including a nurse, an army cadet, a tram driver, and a schoolboy. Their personal stories provide a vivid account of the devastation and long-term effects of the atomic bomb. On the American side, it includes interviews with key personnel involved in the mission including Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay which dropped the bomb, and Morris R. Jeppson, the weapon test officer.

Through a blend of dramatized scenes and archival footage, the documentary portrays the decision-making process that led to the use of the atomic bomb. It depicts President Truman’s involvement and the discussions that took place in the White House map room, as recounted by duty officer George Elsey.