British Pathe

Abingdon, River Thames and Utah, North America.

M/S of a small model of a futuristic looking sports car inside a metal wind tunnel. In the background there is a large fan and hanging above the model car is a piece of wood with strips of paper dangling from it. A man is bending over the model...

Abingdon, River Thames and Utah, North America.

M/S of a small model of a futuristic looking sports car inside a metal wind tunnel. In the background there is a large fan and hanging above the model car is a piece of wood with strips of paper dangling from it. A man is bending over the model to make final adjustments, another man stands behind him. A third man flicks large switches on a bulky grey panel - the controls to the large fan. C/U of the fan as it begins to turn. C/U of the model and the strips of paper as they quiver in the wind from the fan. C/U of a man carefully adjusting the controls. C/U of the fan. C/U of the front of the model. This test is part of the "elaborate preparations" of a land speed record breaking attempt. The wind tunnel tests the aerodynamics of the car's shape.

M/S of a work shop. Two man in brown coats are fitting the last silver panel to the body of the sports car - similar in design to the wind tunnel model. They are building what they hope will be the world's fastest one and a half litre car. M/S of another area of the workshop. In the foreground an older man is assembling one of the tail fins, in the background the main body of the car is in shot. C/U of the tail fin being assembled.

C/U of one of the designers leaning over the car. C/U of the driver, Stirling Moss, sitting in the car trying out the steering wheel with the help of the designer. C/U of one of the designers as he looks at the car. M/S of Moss still seated and the designers fiddling with the steering wheel. M/S of one of the designers making arm movements - he seems to be referring to the design of the car. C/U of Moss sitting in the red leather seat in the cockpit of the car. M/S of one of the designers demonstrating the pedals. C/U of Moss' loafers and the hands of the designer demonstrating the pedals.

C/U of Stirling Moss (racing driver) talking - he appears to be making suggestions about the design. High angle M/S of one of the designers fiddling with the pedals - "everything must be perfect at the speeds for which the car has been designed - four miles a minute"!

Low angle L/S of the Queen Mary in dock, preparing to cross the Atlantic. A large crane stands next to the ship and in the foreground a man walks up the quay. Low angle M/S of the bow of the Queen Mary, her name plate is clearly visible.

Utah, United States of America.

L/S of the sun setting/ rising over a mountain. In the foreground are the "famous salt flats at Bonville, Utah". According to the narrator this landscape is very suitable for a land speed record attempt. L/S of a few scattered buildings and a car park. In the centre of the car park is an enormous model of a cow boy, at his feet is a sign - 'where the west begins'. C/U of another sign painted with seagulls and the words - 'Welcome to Utah', 'Center of Scenic America' and 'Drive Carefully'. L/S of a light blue car pulling a trailer that holds the completed silver sports car. Panning shot follows the car as it drives over the desert-like salt flats.

C/U of Captain George Eyston (on the left) who is the a previous winner of the land speed record and has come to the salt flats to welcome the car. Medium panning shot follows the silver car as it cruises past a group of men - the designers and the mechanics. Because of the blistering heat of the desert many of the men are not wearing shirts. The car stops and one of the men stoops to talk to the American test driver. C/U of the car's engine. C/U of a man's arms holding a tyre. He turns it as if he is inspecting it. M/S of two observers looking out across the salt flats, one of them is smoking a cigarette. C/U of Stirling Moss (racing driver), dressed in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts and a gold medallion leaning over the car. The camera pulls back to reveal Moss and the team making final adjustments to the car. C/U of Captain Eyston and his companion chatting. High angle M/S of Moss, now dressed in a boiler suit and white helmet, getting into the car. The hatch is closed once Moss is securely seated.

M/S of an official looking through his binoculars, standing on the steps to the official's hut. M/S of the front of the car as it accelerates. The 'M.G.' logo is painted on the bonnet of the car, as are the British and American flags. M/S of the side of the accelerating car. C/U of the bumper of the car. C/U of the officials sitting in their hut. Long panning shot of the car driving at full speed. Panning shot inside the hut of the officials taking readings from various contraptions that measure speed and time. L/S of the speeding car racing into the distance. C/U of an official taking a final reading. M/S of the car slowly coming to an halt. The group of men rush over to open the hatch and congratulate Moss - he has shattered five world records! C/U of Moss taking his goggles off and climbing out of the car. Moss jumps out of the car and takes his gloves off and smiles as others pat him on the back.