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"Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines"

Photo: Regulus I Missile in President Dwight Eisenhower's Inaugural Parade

Reviews of Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines

from Amazon.com and IMDB.com

Reviewer:"taparaho" (Salt Point, NY United States)

As much as the Cold War created tense times between America and Russia, the need to protect our American nation also drove some of the most significant technological advancements of the 20th century. Among them were the advancements in nuclear technology and a redefined role for the Navy as a strategic deterrent.

Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarine documents one such advancement, as the silent service was quickly modified for use as a strategic deterrent against nuclear conflict through the development and implementation of the Regulus missile. A little known project, the Regulus was a quick solution to implementation of long-range nuclear missile launches that was eventually replaced by the Polaris, and later Trident submarines.

Other than the military significance of the weapon, the mechanical ingenuity of the times rings clear through the project as the old hands of World War II service come together to solve many of the problems through design enhancements to conventional WWII technology, filling a void until the modern nuclear submarine was developed and put into service.

My first introduction to the Regulus project was while visiting the Intrepid Museum in NYC, where the only remaining Regulus Missile Submarine "Growler" resides as a testament to the project. This documentary is well prepared, informative, and pays an important tribute to the men who designed and operated the Regulus Project and will be well received by anyone interest in the cold war era, submarines, or naval history.

Reviewer: Richard F. Saddlemire (Sumter, SC United States)

I was in the Regulus Missile field for over six years while in the US Navy around aircraft carriers and submarines. This DVD is not only the best effort to depict the Regulus One program, it is to my knowledge the only one. It brought back so many memories of my days with the Regulus One Guided Missile and is accurate and factual. Any military history buff interested in either the US Navy, guided missiles, submarines or the cold war will find this video most informative. Its hard to believe some of the things these people had to go through to protect our country. Today we hear of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. Well, its grandaddy is the Regulus One. This DVD contains photos and action footage not available anywhere else. I had to watch the video quite a few times as it is packed with so much information and historical footage of the Regulus program that I didn't want to miss a thing. In fact, I'm sure I will be looking at it again. It is a valuable item to be added to anyones military video library. I recommend it highly.

Reviewer: Tom Roseland "Fleet Submariner" (Merritt Island, Florida)

Perhaps the most stunning aspect of this monumental film is the fact that a critical piece of nuclear missile and submarine warfare history might well have been lost forever had it not been for the work of Nick Spark and his associates. This is an exceptional documentary that provides a fascinating, yet detailed account of a missile program that can trace its parentage to today's ballistic and cruise missiles. When one looks the devastating power and accuracy of our our modern era's weaponry, it is impossible to overlook that it all started here with the Regulus Missile.

Reviewer: A viewer

What a great presentation of the US Navy's first entry into a viable nuclear deterrence system to safeguard peace. The development of the system was never easy, and there were problems along the way, but through the dedication and commitment of so many patriotic Americans, a solid foundation was built.

This video is full of great shots that clearly show just how difficult the development process can be. "Hats Off" to the extraordinary efforts of the scientists and navy personnel involved with the development and deployment of the Regulus missiles, and to Nick Spark and his crew for a job well done in the production of his visual history!

Author: Joe Meesey (jwnuff@earthlink.net) from Eugene, OR, USA

What a great presentation of the US Navy's first entry into a viable nuclear deterrence system to safeguard peace. The development of the system was never easy, and there were problems along the way, but through the dedication and commitment of so many patriotic Americans, a solid foundation was built.

This video is full of great shots that clearly show just how difficult the development process can be. "Hats Off" to the extraordinary efforts of the scientists and navy personnel involved with the development and deployment of the Regulus missiles, and to Nick Spark and his crew for a job well done in the production of his visual history!

Review of Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines

by Sherry Sontag

In Nick Spark's new film, Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines, missiles crash into the ocean, blow up on submarine decks, and ultimately fly. The footage is terrific and for the first time, instead of just hearing about these early successes and failures you really get to see them.

It took Mr. Spark a year to convince the Navy to release the 50+ year old footage. All of it comes not a moment too soon. Just this week, one of the on-going internet "Plank-Serves" had a discussion about a thirty-year-old book about the creation of Polaris. That's how hungry submariners are for any bit of their own history. So when ever anything new comes out it is news. And when something this good comes out it is an event.

There could be more footage of the men who rode on Regulus missions, and it would be wonderful to hear details of their frozen days on watch in the North Pacific. Such wonderful stories, however, remain hard to come by, at least on tape. After all, most of these men are still bound by secrecy agreements, and declassification remains a distant dream. The technology may be long past, but one can't expect much from a Navy that likes to wait decades and more past the decommissioning of a sub to talk about anything its crew accomplished, experienced or suffered.

This film does manage to take the visuals much further than any documentary before. It is an important and fun next step.

ABOUT SHERRY SONTAG

Sherry Sontag covered government and international affairs for the National Law Journal and has worked at The New York Times. She is the co-writer, with Christopher Drew, of the acclaimed book Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage. To read more about the book, click on the icon on the left to visit Amazon.com!

Letter from Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England

In a letter dated August 5, 2002, Gordon R. England wrote:

Thank you very much for your letter regarding your recently completed documentary which chronicles the development of the Regulus Missile program and for the video of Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines. I enjoyed it very much!

Also, I am pleased to know that our Navy Information Office in Los Angeles and the staffs at Naval Air Missile Test Center at Point Mugu and China Lake were able to help you in your efforts to highlight this important chapter in our Navy's history. The foundations laid by those who developed Regulus helped to set a course that led to the development of the advanced systems like Tomahawk on which our Nation relies today.

Again, thank you for writing me and for your efforts to highlight the men who made Cold War history.

Sincerely,

Gordon R. England

ABOUT GORDON R. ENGLAND

The 72nd Secretary of the Navy, Gordon R. England oversees one of the nation's most vital military force, consisiting of nearly 372,000 active duty sailors, 315 warships and submarines, and 41,000 aircraft. Formerly executive vice president of General Dynamics Corporation, he holds degrees in electrical engineering and business administration. A strong and patriotic leader, Mr. England has devoted his time to numerous charities over the years, including Goodwill International, and is a strong supporter of his alma mater, Texas Christian University.

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