THE QUEBEC CONFERENCE AUGUST 1943 [Main Title]

An account of the meeting between Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt, including an outline of the background to the conference.

The history of the war is briefly sketched in terms of earlier meetings between the two leaders (Atlantic, Washington, Casablanca etc) and their implications (defensive build-up; North Africa; Sicily; bombing; 'unconditional surrender'). Preparations for the Quebec conference are then shown (establishing shots include Wolfe/Montcalm monument, Château Frontenac): security precautions - AA guns, guards, RCMP, US army air couriers, mail censorship, passes. Reel 2 shows the conference itself: Churchill's arrival from a private visit to Roosevelt follows preliminary 'low level' planning; Churchill met by Mackenzie King, stays with Governor General (Earl of Athlone). Combined Chiefs of Staff meeting; arrival of Roosevelt. At later stages of conference other politicians arrive (Eden, Hill, Stimson, Knox, Soong). Absence of hard news presented as 'war of nerves' tactic; at close of conference, Roosevelt and Churchill meet press. Speaking later at Ottawa, Roosevelt promises decision "will be communicated to enemy." Newspapers report invasion and surrender of Italy.

35mm