Great thread !
I've seen most of the nuclear war films mentioned. I have to defend the US movie Testament ... it's a little slow but I think it gives a factually
correct account of how a nuclear war would affect Smalltown USA. It's such a sad movie, devoid of all hope. It makes "The Road" look like "The
Sound of Music" ... Testament is just
that dismal !
My interest in all things nuclear was sparked when BBC showed a documentary in 1982, a year or so before Threads, which frightened the heck out of me.
It was called "A Guide To Armageddon" and very calmly (and in a terribly, terribly British way) detailed the effects of a 1MT nuclear weapon
exploding over St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It also diced & sliced the British official "nuclear war survival guide" published by the Home
Office & then Scottish Home & Health Department ... the famous (or notorious) "Protect & Survive" & "Advice For Householders" booklets. It's a
great watch ! And Ludovic Kennedy adds a certain gravitas to the commentary.
Threads makes reference to the Protect & Survive videos which were to be aired in the UK in the run up to war. They're available on youtube too. I
don't think they'd have done an awful lot for public morale, to be honest, my spine's chilled just watching them again tonight. If anything, I
think you'd run for the hills if this kind of thing popped up on the tv.
For obvious reasons they've never released the "four minute warning" emergency broadcast, warning of impending missile attack. From the little I
know of it, I think Peter Donaldson of BBC Radio 4 was to be our final radio host before Armageddon arrived. The text of the
post attack BBC
script has been released ... it makes sombre reading.
This is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons. Communications have been severely disrupted, and the
number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known. We shall bring you further information as soon as possible. Meanwhile, stay tuned
to this wavelength, stay calm and stay in your own house. Remember there is nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes you
could be exposing yourself to greater danger. If you leave, you may find yourself without food, without water, without accommodation and without
protection. Radioactive fall-out, which follows a nuclear explosion, is many times more dangerous if you are directly exposed to it in the open. Roofs
and walls offer substantial protection. The safest place is indoors. Make sure gas and other fuel supplies are turned off and that all fires are
extinguished. If mains water is available, this can be used for fire-fighting. You should also refill all your containers for drinking water after the
fires have been put out, because the mains water supply may not be available for very long. Water must not be used for flushing lavatories: until you
are told that lavatories may be used again, other toilet arrangements must be made. Use your water only for essential drinking and cooking purposes.
Water means life. Don't waste it. Make your food stocks last: ration your supply, because it may have to last for 14 days or more. If you have fresh
food in the house, use this first to avoid wasting it: food in tins will keep. If you live in an area where a fall-out warning has been given, stay
in your fall-out room until you are told it is safe to come out. When the immediate danger has passed the sirens will sound a steady note. The "all
clear" message will also be given on this wavelength. If you leave the fall-out room to go to the lavatory or replenish food or water supplies, do
not remain outside the room for a minute longer than is necessary. Do not, in any circumstances, go outside the house. Radioactive fall-out can kill.
You cannot see it or feel it, but it is there. If you go outside, you will bring danger to your family and you may die. Stay in your fall-out room
until you are told it is safe to come out or you hear the "all clear" on the sirens. Here are the main points again: Stay in your own homes, and if
you live in an area where a fall-out warning has been given stay in your fall-out room, until you are told it is safe to come out. The message that
the immediate danger has passed will be given by the sirens and repeated on this wavelength. Make sure that the gas and all fuel supplies are turned
off and that all fires are extinguished. Water must be rationed, and used only for essential drinking and cooking purposes. It must not be used for
flushing lavatories. Ration your food supply--it may have to last for 14 days or more. We shall be on the air every hour, on the hour. Stay tuned to
this wavelength, but switch your radios off now to save your batteries. That is the end of this broadcast.
Just realised, these aren't really movies as in the OP. But I find these little documentaries to be even more horrific than tv movies ... because
these are the real deal !