Pioneer Productions Commissioned To Document Hindenburg Tragedy

Pioneer Productions has been commissioned by Channel 4, ZDF and Smithsonian Networks to produce a landmark two-hour drama-documentary about the fatal voyage of the giant German airship, Hindenburg.
The programme is being made to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the disaster.
Together with its sister ship, Graf Zeppelin II, Hindenburg was the largest aircraft ever built. In its second year of service on May 6 1937, the airship burst into flames while attempting to land at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. One third of those on board tragically perished in the accident which changed the way we travel forever.
To mark the anniversary 'Hindenburg' (working title) explores the background and build-up to this final flight to disaster. Using extensive dramatisation, archive footage and moving interviews with the only two survivors of the accident still left alive, the special delves into the chain of events that led up to the catastrophe.
Stuart Carter, Managing Director, Pioneer Productions said: "The Hindenburg disaster was a watershed moment which had instantaneous and far reaching consequences for the air transport industry. On the 70th anniversary of the Hindenburg’s final flight, this film explores the politics and personalities behind this iconic event, following the fortunes of a group of passengers on the doomed airship as well as the struggle to ascertain what caused the catastrophe."
David Glover, Deputy Commissioning Editor for History and Science, Channel 4 added: "What caused the Hindenburg disaster is one of the great scientific mysteries of the 20th century. This film follows the investigation that took place at the time. It has the intriguing narrative of a great detective story."
Hindenburg is a Pioneer production commissioned by Hamish Mykura for Channel 4, Jens Monath and Alexander Berkel for ZDF, and Chris Hoelzl for Smithsonian Network. The special is executive produced by Stuart Carter, produced by Vicky Matthews, directed by Sean Grundy and written by Tony Mulholland.
The programme is due for delivery early 2007 and will be distributed by Channel 4 International.
(DS/SP)