Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving film out of and rewinding film back into a thrust film cartridge. The drive mechanism comprises: a nest for holding the thrust cartridge in a predetermined position; a first clutch having a drive shaft designed for engaging the spool for transferring rotational movement to the spool; a pair of metering rolls for receiving the filmstrip therebetween for advancing the film strip out of the thrust cartridge, one of the metering rolls having a drive shaft; a second clutch connected to the drive shaft of one of the metering rolls; a single drive motor; a connecting linkage for connecting the drive motor to the first and second clutches so as to impart rotational mode to the drive shafts; and a switching device for selectively activating the first and second clutches so as to drive the metering rolls and spool in the appropriate sequence.