UNQUIET DEATH OF JULIUS AND ETHEL ROSENBERG, THE (TV)
Summary
A documentary which explores the events leading up to the execution of alleged spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, all the while maintaining that they may have been wrongly convicted. This program, an updated version of the original award-winning 1974 documentary, was broadcast to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the June 19, 1953 execution. Reporter Alvin Goldstein introduces the original program, which contains interviews, old newsreels and press clippings, and photographs.
The program continues with an investigation of information revealed after the United States government was forced to release secret files about the case. The narrator talks about the aftermath of the Great Depression and Communist movements that grew out of this time, and he gives brief biographies of both Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Continuing with more historical details, the narrator talks about the formation of the House Un-American Activities Committee, the Smith Act, World War II, and the development and deployment of the atomic bomb. Dr. Philip Morrison, a scientist who worked on the atomic bomb project, explains why it is inaccurate to claim there was a secret recipe for the atomic bomb that could somehow be given away. The narrator discusses the Cold War and Russia's explosion of a test atomic bomb in August of 1949. He talks about the arrest of the following people on charges of espionage: British physicist Klaus Fuchs; chemist Harry Gold; former army sergeant David Greenglass; and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
Parts of the testimony from the Rosenbergs' trial are reenacted by actors, and the narrator gives details about the proceedings. The Rosenbergs, who always maintained their innocence, were found guilty and sentenced to death. Prosecutor Roy Cohn explains why he is sure the Rosenbergs were guilty; the narrator explains why testimony from Harry Gold puts this guilt into question. Authors Miriam and Walter Schneir talk about their research and their book, "Invitation to an Inquest," which contends that the Rosenbergs were innocent. Other items related to the case are discussed, including David Greenglass's confession, the jury selection, and Morton Sobell's alleged crimes. The Rosenbergs' sons Robert and Michael Meeropol explain why they believe their parents were innocent. Emily Alman and other friends of the Rosenbergs discuss their sorrow and grief over the couple's persecution. Goldstein returns for a prologue with the Schneirs and Ronald Radosh, the co-author of "The Rosenberg File," who discuss information from government files released since the first documentary and covered in their recent books.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 2001/2002.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: June 21, 1983 Tuesday 11:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:29:01
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:74346
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Cold War; Trials (Conspiracy); Trials (Espionage)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1983
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Alvin H. Goldstein … Producer
- Bobbie Berleffi Thornton … Associate Producer
- Marty Westerman … Associate Producer
- Nancy W. Green … Researcher
- Angela Cundell … Researcher
- Phyllis Franck … Researcher
- Cynthia Kazan … Researcher
- Barton Heyman … Narrator
- Alvin H. Goldstein … Reporter
- Emily Alman
- Roy Cohn
- Klaus Fuchs
- Harry Gold
- David Greenglass
- Michael Meeropol
- Robert Meeropol
- Philip Morrison
- Ronald Radosh
- Ethel Rosenberg
- Julius Rosenberg
- Miriam Schneir
- Walter Schneir
- Morton Sobell