Product Details

• Actors: Roy Scheider
• Directors: Nick T. Spark
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 2002
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000071XAV
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #114,112 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)

  #56 in

  Video > Kids & Family > Cars, Planes, Trains & More > Boats

Editorial Reviews

Video Librarian, September-October 2002

Chronicles the herculean efforts of missile scientists to develop a weapon that would change the course of history. Recommended.

Product Description

Regulus tells the nearly-forgotten story of the development and deployment of the Cold War's ultimate weapon: the nuclear missile submarine. While today the mighty Trident SSBNs form the backbone of our nation's nuclear deterrent, in 1946 such weapons were only a distant dream. This is the story of the first generation submarine deterrent force, told by the people who developed, tested and deployed it . . . and changed history in the process.

Summary: In 1946, the U.S. Navy began top secret test with modified German V-1 "buzz bombs." The goal? To develop a submarine-launched, nuclear guided missile. The tests would lead to the development of the Regulus, a nuclear capable, air breathing cruise missile that flew like a jet aircraft.

Tested in secrecy at Edwards Air Force Base, Regulus would be deployed aboard five "SSGs" — guided missile submarines. They would undertake the first missile deterrent patrols in the history of the Navy. . .and the Cold War!

Patrolling the stormy waters of the Northern Pacific, the Regulus crews endured long patrols — often with the Soviet Navy in depth charge range.

This is the story of the Regulus and the men who made the guided missile submarine a reality. Featuring recently declassified, digitally remastered footage, much of it seen here for the first time.

Before Polaris, before Trident, Regulus was the United States' seaborne deterrent shield. Now, for the first time, the Regulus story can be told!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cold War Driven Technology, August 10, 2003

By	Patrick W. O'Hara "taparaho" (Salt Point, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines (DVD)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Regulus: The first Nuclear Missile Submarines-DVD, November 11, 2002

By	John J. Jenkins Jr. (La Mesa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines (DVD)

This DVD is most informative about the Regulus, its design and history about launching from Naval surface craft and submarines. I was on the USS Tunny from 1958 to 1962 and this DVD brought back many memories, as the Tunny was equipped with a hanger for housing two Regulus missiles and had launching capabilities. The DVD is chock full of interesting facts about the days of the Regulus and is Naval submarine missile history at its finest.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines, December 13, 2002

By	David S. Carpenter (Marina del Rey, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Regulus: The First Nuclear Missile Submarines (DVD)

This DVD was given to me by a friend who is aware of my penchant for military history. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much; I'm not a big missle fan. I popped it into the player and began work on my finances expecting it to be little more than mildly interesting. BOY WAS I WRONG! Before I knew it I was away from the computer and glued to the television irrevocably engrossed by the subject. Why this hasn't aired on the History Channel is beyond me. An EXCELLENT buy, packed with hours of bonna fide supplemental materials, not the normal thoroughly usless "garbage" so often foisted upon the consumer these days. Watch, learn, and enjoy. Trust me, you could do a heck of a lot worse...A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT!