Thorium, the Far Side of Nuclear Power

Original title: Thorium, la face gâchée du nucléaire

TV Movie
2016
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

123

YOUR RATING

Thorium, the Far Side of Nuclear Power (2016)

Animation Documentary

Ever heard of the Thorium molten salt reactor? That's hardly surprising, as for 70 years, it has been inexplicably kept under wraps by the nuclear industry, despite the fact it could revolut... Read allEver heard of the Thorium molten salt reactor? That's hardly surprising, as for 70 years, it has been inexplicably kept under wraps by the nuclear industry, despite the fact it could revolutionise energy production.Ever heard of the Thorium molten salt reactor? That's hardly surprising, as for 70 years, it has been inexplicably kept under wraps by the nuclear industry, despite the fact it could revolutionise energy production.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

123

YOUR RATING

3User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Featured review

9/10

An Unrealized Dream of a Technological Fixer.

I first saw the French version of this (different subtitles) when it first came out. There's also a German version.

This film has an animated physicist named Alvin Weinberg (1915-2006) reminisce about the best project he ever worked on, the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment. A self-regulating, 100% safe, zero GHG emitting reactor to power human civilization for centuries to come. Everything Alvin says in animated form comes from his writings. [Note* Alvin knew all about climate change as he wrote a graduate school paper on GHG emissions, a few months later he was invited to join the Manhattan Project where he was one of several dozen invaluable contributors.]

There are also live action interviews with former colleagues and his son. These are mostly devoid of techno-babble and can be easily understood by a layperson. What really shows is the enthusiasm the elderly reactor workers have for the MSRE -- that one project they are most proud of. Why was it forgotten? Why aren't we pursuing this today?

Recommended for history buffs, nuclear students, or STEM obsessed grade schoolers. After all it's only nuclear physics -- not rocket science!