An introductory disclaimer for the Manitoba premiere of the BBC movie "Threads" circa 1985, with CKND-TV President D.C. Brinton. Aired at 11pm on March 13, 1985.
What a brilliant introduction. Mature, well paced, clear, and with sufficient gravitas to make the viewer sit up and take notice. any person watching "Threads" after that would be going into it well warned. The phrase "informed consent" comes to mind. I was delighted to hear him mention that it would be shown uninterrupted. Bravo! (Thank you for posting this!)
He could not have stated this in any more black and white terms. Brutal and terrifying. And yes it made “The Day After” look like a cheesy 70’s disaster flick.
A British Army Nuclear/Biological/Chemical Warfare instructor in the mid 80's, told me that Threads scared the hell out of him. This from a Army NCO whose specialism was this whole subject. THAT's a positive review!
This film was still widely available via UA-cam one year ago. It has now been taken down. It should be widely shown to anybody, period. It is by far the most realistic film about nuclear war you will ever see - which is why, nobody is supposed to see it.
You might be able to find it elsewhere with a Google Video search. Either way, Threads is one of those movies that tends to be re-uploaded not too long after being taken down.
These were the days of truly responsible broadcasting. I was actually watching this on CKND when it was on, it was life changing. Good on CKND to take the time to broadcast ad-free and leave the decision up to the viewer as to their ability to watch it.
I first saw it recently and can honestly say its a deeply personal film that every one should be shown in all countries, but you would not want it shown to the ones you are close to. Nuclear war kills all, that's personal regardless of who you are.
They need to release Threads on DVD and Blu-ray. This movie should also be shown all over the world. Particularly in Congress, governments, and the United Nations. This film is too important to just be a rare film. After watching this, when I hear other countries threatening with nukes, it scares the fucking shit out of me. Thank you for sharing this. Very well-made movie.
This movie is the gold standard in disaster movies. A mixture of fiction and realism... I believe it helped in changing the politics of nuclear war towards lunacy in the 80's. This movie should be archived as part of the anti-nuclear movement and get a smidgeon of credit towards partial nuclear disarmament. The only other movie I can think of which puts nuclear war in a bad light would be: Doctor Strange Love.
I don't know if Reagan saw it but he certainly saw "The Day After" and he wrote in his diary after watching it a derogatory comment about he military hawks in his cabinet who beleived in a nuclear wr being winnable.
I watched this as a kid when it was originally broadcast on a local UHF station out of Detroit back in '84 or '85. It gave me nightmares, chronic stomach pains and I nearly developed an ulcer worrying about a nuclear strike on the Detroit area.
Honestly if u lived in a major US city? You were lucky. The losers of a Nuclear War were the ones who survive the initial exchange. One bright white flash? It's over if u lucky
I live in the UK and remember watching this. It scared the shit out of me, but I think that the way things are going now it would be a good thing if this was shown in school now, both in America and the UK.
It was s h own in Australia 1 week after aiiring in the UK. It was so serious that a commercial TV station in Sydney, Channel 9 aired it commercial free.
@Retrontario I would agree. I'm from England, and can relate to this film completely. After watching this it really got under my skin and into my head, I couldn't stop thinking about it and potentially how close I'd come to being in that nightmare. Sadly many of todays ignorant generation really don't appreciate the message behind the film and think it's a huge joke, but growing up surrounded by airbases in England this was the reality we faced, never knowing if we'd be dead in 4 mins time.
Important to remember that the scenario represented in this movie was based on "best outcome" data available at the time (the "210 Megaton" thing). Much more likely (documents show - I have seen them) was that the Soviet strike "package" against the UK would have been at least three times more severe, and probably much more. This was suspected at the time in government, but the producers of the movie had no access to that information. They based their attack scenario on a 1982 training wargame, the details of which found their way into the public domain. The reality is that the United Kingdom would have essentially been sterilized in a real attack: nothing would have been left alive, the entire island rendered uninhabitable for many decades. This movie unintentionally pulled many punches, but it was still (and still is) utterly terrifying.
I'm 45..fr Kansas City, (where majority "The Day After" was filmed,.) "Threads" still to this day the scariest movie I've ever seen. But also? "Threads" & "The Day After" are the 2 most important movies ever made. The biggest deterant to Nuclear War ever. Yes, Cuban Missle Crisis I'm sure was close/extremely scary. But imo the truest reality of an actual World-Ending Nuclear War was fr 1979-84. Absolutely no doubt. As a child growing up in 1980s? Nuclear War Scared & Fascinated me more than anything. But strangest part? It was never talked about. Or the effects GenX kids in 1980s literally were scared shitless of it during that time.
Big Props to them. It's a terrifying film. Only The Road made me feel as helpless and that was shot as a movie rather than a docudrama. Threads is so disturbing because it feels so real and relatable and maybe only 3 mins away from us in real life at any point in our existence. I don't know it we'll end ourselves like this. You have to wonder what anyone expects to gain from this but that said, It's still possible and we need to take the possibility of one leader being sufficiently Nihilistic to just resign themselves and their nation to the afterlife. This becomes more likely the more religious extremists get firing authority of Nuclear weapons and that begins to change the tactical picture. If a nuclear Islamic state decide Jihad is best served by nuking the Infidel Americans or Europeans how does Nato respond? If we Nuke Pakistan India suffers as do the rest of the middle east. Also what do China and Russia do? The world is fast becoming a cauldron of forces that it will be hard to contain. On that note. Everyone should watch Threads and ask themselves if this is the future they want. Luv and Peace.
@mongoose704 I totally agree. It's not about "special effects", it's about the consequences of a global crisis and I believe Threads portayed it in an unforgiving, realist and gritty light.
one missile hits Sheffield when The Kemps are making there COI Fallout shelter- but it's radiation from Crewe (a strategic Railway and transport junction) that causes the first radiation.- The base where you see the mushroom cloud was RAF Finningley [Now Doncaster-Robin Hood Airport] one of my friends was an extra in Threads at the time. He's a Sheffield man - (Chair of local Labour Party)
Actually it was only one Missle that hit Sheffield but the cities in that area are close together. - hence the fallout blowing across from Crewe. - It's a must see for the younger generation. - the disclamer and introduction on this was good. - the BBC carried no warnings BUT the media and Government talked about it in the week before and for weeks after. - When Regan announced arms limitations I remember The Guardian newspaper printed a cartoon saying "Do you think he saw Threads?"
We were shown threads in school when I was 13. It scared this shit out of everyone, even the bullies were stunned into silence. We’re closer now to the reality of threads than at any time in the last 40 years. Let’s just hope that cooler heads prevail in Russia and the West. Every prediction for nuclear war starts with an invasion, let’s all hope that invasion isn’t the one happening now in the Ukraine.
I'd love to see a Fallout-style RPG but set against the backdrop of Threads and the 1980s cold war. Enough of this 1950s super positivity. Give the people a real taste of annihilation.
I must have watched this film 20 times and love it for its honesty. I cursed out those shops for NOT having enough food to go around as one man said in that underground shelter coordinating with Sutten. I also was furious at Hospitals for not having enough supplies weeks before this imminent attack I know it's a fictitious story and a certain amount of Drama must be there. it amazes me how Ignorant people are when it comes to preparing for disasters like Jimmy's Family not even taking water or anything I could see to eat when those Bombs fell. that Nuclear Winter is just a theory as these always seem to happen when no severe winds or Hurricanes occur to blow all that Radiation away but stick over each City like glue. Sagan was wrong about this as he never mentioned the fact that Tornadoes or Hurricanes could disperse this fallout in hours not days. the Day After was a Joke where staff of that Hospital were a few miles from those Missiles but never got bombed in retaliation from Russia to hit those Silos.
@fatdogtavern It was made during th 1980s what kind of graphics did you expect? :P I think Threads goes into a lot more detail and depth, covers many more issues of a nuclear attack and provides us with a lot more information of the struggle of life when the population falls to Medieval numbers, and overall a lot more graphic and uncensored.
I was shown it in school aged 13 in a Religious Studies class (which in the UK includes civics, politics and philosophy and is mandatory from aged 11 to 13). It stuck with me into adulthood before I finally watched it again more than ten years later. Undoubtedly one of the scariest films ever made.
Hiroshima had been largely untouched throughout the earlier firebombing campaigns, being a smaller city. The Japanese people had learned that a single B29 wasn't a threat, but was a recon flight. That changed after the A bomb. Nagasaki was predominately Christian, and had also been largely untouched, Many locals believed it would escape bombing due to it being the only major christian centre. Nagasaki was a tertiary target due to cloud over Kokura & Niigata. 6 people survived both bombs.
@fatdogtavern "scene... that looks like someone blew up a gasoline truck" The main purpose of this film is to show how people's lives would be affected - both Threads and The Day After do this, as does Nevil Shute's book On The Beach, which was published in 1957.
The full film is still available on YT if u don't mind a very small screen and Italian subtitles (still with original English audio) [I think it is the video before this one]
When broadcast on BBC ONE primetime Sunday night the BBC actively encouraged parents of Children over 10 to let their children watch and schools had curriculum set around the film to help Middle/Junior school children understand. - I was 13 when I watched it, left a scar on me I joined CND 4 years later.
@Retrontario I watched this movie 2 years ago. Believe me, there's no way to erase this from your memory. I would gladly go back in time to tell myself to not see this film.
As a nurse, I find the hospital scene pretty optimistic to be honest. Hospitals are overrun with smaller mass casualty events. The thing is most hospitals would only be running with whoever happened to be on duty at the time. I agree entirely that Threads shouldn't be seen by children. Even if you don't agree with its accuracy, it sums up perfectly the mindset of those who grew up in the Cold War thinking of nuclear war.
Thet looked pretty overrun in the hospital scene - thousands of blast/glass/burn victims, little medication available and (as I recall) a memorable scene with what looked like shit and blood all over the floor! It seems pretty accurate to me -probably understated. The ludicrous idea that we would still have command centres and food supply points and medical/fire treatment (despite nearly all hospitals and fire stations being situated in urban areas). In Threads, the local command centre (run by the local authority) is under the town, in the middle of Sheffield! And their not making this up in the film, nearly all the regional command centres were in urban areas. I digress... Now of course, we've given up entirely on any sort of nuclear defense or recovery (perhaps admitting there will be no central government after all out war?). However, we still continue building nuclear submarines etc. The lunatics are in control.....
this was a BBC Film so never intended to entertain.- The BBC put deliberatly ironic humour in like the bit with the Prawn Cocktail crisps where the Army guys living on good food options say "Prawn Cocktail, They Bloody would be!"
@boobtuber06 I was wondering that myself. The Day After is a brillant movie, very sad, very depressing. But it pales before Threads. It's probably the total lack of human (not comical) relief. There is no, absolutely no compassion, no sharing of emotions or experiences. People even lose their speech, their ability to feel for each other. I remember that being the starkest impression Threads made. Society, familiy, friendship is getting utterly destroyed. Devastating.
after i watched that movie [about a year ago], i couldn't sleep for days...and i had to leave the light on at night...i'm mildly embarassed that i just told you guys that.
I was 20 and in the uk when i saw threads and the war game and i was stunned I went to the library to pick up a protect and survive pamphlet that told us to take doors of and close the curtains
yep...the basic assumption was the USSR would launch at 0300-0400 Washington time, which made for 0800-0900 UK time. The US response would be at its slowest, due to fatigue, and would catch europeans at work or on their way. IRBMs launched from East Germany would reach the UK in a matter of seconds, giving no real time to warn the population. The US would get a longer warning due to the longer flight time of ICBMs from the USSR, but sub launched missiles would give little warning.
I was 14 when I first saw threads in 1984 and it scared the shit out of me, out of curiosity I bought it on dvd about 5 years ago and I still found it really frightening, now with the Russia/Ukraine and China situations, I wonder how much time our species has left, - but on the plus side maybe the cockroaches will make a better job of the world when we're gone - (or maybe the apes) lol🤔😂😂
@SocratesTheGadfly Wow, you truly are a master debater. Say "quite the contrary" has certainly brought me around to your way of thinking. And you position is so strong, citing examples would only be showing weakness. Bravo. Religion has been controlling people long before any of those forms of government, half of which you probably can't even define. At least you learned how to turn CAPSLOCK off.
I seen that movie threads, & he mentions that the day after is a walk in the park to it ? if that is so, why are there so many similarities to it ?and keep in mind, that The Day After first aired back in november of 1983 and threads aired a year after that.
Threads should have had "bridge over troubled waters" at the end when the girl was walking over the ruins looking for the place to give birth to the dead deformed baby.
@OrangeJuice101 And the scenario leading to war was more realistic in Threads. It was over oil. BTW in The Day After a girl basically points out how ridiculous it would be to go to war to save the Germans (she was right, we didn't when they blockaded Berlin before.) She then says "now if we're talking about oil in Saudi Arabia then I'd be really worried." TDA discredits its own plot behind for WW3 but credits that which Threads endorsed, LOL!
No chance the TV would air Threats today. It would not fit the thirst of the masses for braindead entertainment... But it should be shown every year to remind people of what nuclear war means. Even better, it should be remade in the same spirit, style and updated effects. Without softening the tone. But with such ideas and wishes for movie productions today, you are an endangered species...
@OrangeJuice101 As any film makers will attest to, special effects are a method of story telling. If used only for the effect of getting a bunch of teenage boys to say "kewl dOOd," it becomes a boring movie much like the special effects orgies released today that are mostly crap movies overall. The effects in Threads conveyed the message the director and producer wanted us to receive. Nuclear war is UGLY and HORRIFIC.
@fatdogtavern Cheesy? I don't think you know what that word means but it was TDA that was cheesy. it was cheesy to understate and underscore the horrific reality of nuclear war which TDA didn't come close to capturing. The proof is in the fact that people are saying: "Cool effects." Threads was ugly BY DESIGN, especially the effects. Cheesy? OMG not even close. It was rude, insensitive, unsympathetic, cold, harsh and gritty.
Nah they're not dumb here any more, you moved away. They weren't hunkered down as you put it. It struck at 8:15 when most people are going to work, but I'm sure you wouldn't know about that. But then that is the point is it not. That was a time when they had slow moving bombers. Now they have nuclear submarines. The nuclear warning may be as little as 30 seconds. Are you going to get in shelter in such a short time? Be realistic Nuclear expert, you have know idea what you're on about.
About a week later, Thomas the Tank Engine took the airwaves by storm...and cured the many children who had the unfortunate pleasure of watching this movie.
With stand off with Russia over the Ukarine and on going war with Islamists the dangers of nuclear war are very real. Threads is as pertinent today as it was 30 years ago when it was first broadcast.
Two months ago Russia tested (if you can call an explosion that killed five people a test) a low orbit missile that would theoretically give them an undetectable ordinance that can be used at any time. The risk has never gone away. It's never been higher. We have to outlaw these weapons before they're used.
@@KingThrillgore laws won't stop governments from making those kinds of weapons. Hell, just the illegal bio weapons and viruses sitting in labs right now should make everyone terrified.
Far better depiction of reality than any 'horror' movie, this is also what you'd call real horror not that made up hollywood nonsense. It will leave a very long lasting impression on you after . ☹
In Australia they would don their BDSM gear and hunt for gas in the desert. In the US we'd hoard bottle caps in vaults. The Brits pulled zero punches about this kind of stuff. This is probably one of three films I can count on to put me in a nihilist state of mind. Unforgiving and unflinching. More horrifying than a video nasty. Hats off to ya, this film probably saved the world. (And for the interest of the public, Grave of the Fireflies and Requiem for a Dream are the other two.)
I'll add, look up "Able Archer '83," to your list. "Able Archer" was one of two instances during 1983 where we came as close, if not closer, to all- out nuclear war, than the Cuban Missile Crisis.
@fatdogtavern Yeah glass melts and bright light blots out all vision in a has station explosion, LOL! Exploding buildings, cinder blocks and steel beams crushing people, and people being burned to death by the flash...yep that is just a gas station explosion. Silly too!
![[UA] Team Vitality проти NAVI | IEM Cologne 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wttO1zVRTC0/mqdefault.jpg)
"You will not be watching a pleasant drama" This was the greatest understatement of the 20th Century. "Threads" is some fucked up shit.
What a brilliant introduction. Mature, well paced, clear, and with sufficient gravitas to make the viewer sit up and take notice. any person watching "Threads" after that would be going into it well warned. The phrase "informed consent" comes to mind. I was delighted to hear him mention that it would be shown uninterrupted. Bravo! (Thank you for posting this!)
He could not have stated this in any more black and white terms. Brutal and terrifying. And yes it made “The Day After” look like a cheesy 70’s disaster flick.
A British Army Nuclear/Biological/Chemical Warfare instructor in the mid 80's, told me that Threads scared the hell out of him.
This from a Army NCO whose specialism was this whole subject.
THAT's a positive review!
SSCFPA I bet he was a member of the army drama society.
This film was still widely available via UA-cam one year ago. It has now been taken down. It should be widely shown to anybody, period. It is by far the most realistic film about nuclear war you will ever see - which is why, nobody is supposed to see it.
You might be able to find it elsewhere with a Google Video search. Either way, Threads is one of those movies that tends to be re-uploaded not too long after being taken down.
It is now available on Blu-Ray from Severin Films. Rumor is that was the reason the BBC yanked the film and clips off UA-cam in the first place.
I recently bought it on blu-Ray. The one that was on here was missing quite a lot. If you get the chance, buy it.
It's been taken down presumably for copyright reasons. You have heard of copyright?
55ella2007k it’s on BitChute.
I have watched almost every Nuclear War movie produced. Threads by far is the most intense depiction of such a horrific event.
These were the days of truly responsible broadcasting. I was actually watching this on CKND when it was on, it was life changing. Good on CKND to take the time to broadcast ad-free and leave the decision up to the viewer as to their ability to watch it.
A programming warning that still treats the viewers like adults...I never thought I would ever see such a thing.
when i first rented this movie from blockbuster in the 80's, after watching it, i was literally numb for weeks...
I first saw it recently and can honestly say its a deeply personal film that every one should be shown in all countries, but you would not want it shown to the ones you are close to. Nuclear war kills all, that's personal regardless of who you are.
They had it at Blockbuster?!
They need to release Threads on DVD and Blu-ray. This movie should also be shown all over the world. Particularly in Congress, governments, and the United Nations. This film is too important to just be a rare film. After watching this, when I hear other countries threatening with nukes, it scares the fucking shit out of me. Thank you for sharing this. Very well-made movie.
I second everything you say, here. There is nothing more terrifying than nuclear war. It is the end of everything.
I've got the DVD in the uk in 2005. I was 14 when it first shown on the BBC in 1984 and it's still shocking now as it was then.
+Brutalpony Kitteneater no US release though. :/
I have it on dvd in Scotland got it on amazon fucking scary film one of very few where I haven’t slept that night
Threads is being released on BluRay by Severin Films at the end of January 2018
This movie is the gold standard in disaster movies. A mixture of fiction and realism... I believe it helped in changing the politics of nuclear war towards lunacy in the 80's. This movie should be archived as part of the anti-nuclear movement and get a smidgeon of credit towards partial nuclear disarmament. The only other movie I can think of which puts nuclear war in a bad light would be: Doctor Strange Love.
I don't know if Reagan saw it but he certainly saw "The Day After" and he wrote in his diary after watching it a derogatory comment about he military hawks in his cabinet who beleived in a nuclear wr being winnable.
The Day After was a disaster movie, Threads was the nightmare reality
I watched this as a kid when it was originally broadcast on a local UHF station out of Detroit back in '84 or '85. It gave me nightmares, chronic stomach pains and I nearly developed an ulcer worrying about a nuclear strike on the Detroit area.
"The Symptoms of radiation poisoning, and panic are at first Indistinguishable" I believe is the line appropriate for this from the film.
this line is literally in the film, and 100% accurate
Honestly if u lived in a major US city?
You were lucky.
The losers of a Nuclear War were the ones who survive the initial exchange.
One bright white flash? It's over if u lucky
I live in the UK and remember watching this. It scared the shit out of me, but I think that the way things are going now it would be a good thing if this was shown in school now, both in America and the UK.
It was s h own in Australia 1 week after aiiring in the UK.
It was so serious that a commercial TV station in Sydney, Channel 9 aired it commercial free.
Brilliant intro! This film should be aired again in 2020 and become part of curriculum at all schools and this kind of intro should be included too.
All schools? I’d say it should be shown to late high schoolers and up. Imagine the uproar!
This is how you actually do a decent trigger/content warning.
I think about this film almost daily and have done for the last 30 years psychologically scarred me for life
@Retrontario I would agree. I'm from England, and can relate to this film completely. After watching this it really got under my skin and into my head, I couldn't stop thinking about it and potentially how close I'd come to being in that nightmare. Sadly many of todays ignorant generation really don't appreciate the message behind the film and think it's a huge joke, but growing up surrounded by airbases in England this was the reality we faced, never knowing if we'd be dead in 4 mins time.
I live about 40 minutes away from Sheffield and go there very often and every time I walk up the moor I think about the image of a mushroom cloud
If only every tv exec thought like this.....
Important to remember that the scenario represented in this movie was based on "best outcome" data available at the time (the "210 Megaton" thing). Much more likely (documents show - I have seen them) was that the Soviet strike "package" against the UK would have been at least three times more severe, and probably much more. This was suspected at the time in government, but the producers of the movie had no access to that information. They based their attack scenario on a 1982 training wargame, the details of which found their way into the public domain.
The reality is that the United Kingdom would have essentially been sterilized in a real attack: nothing would have been left alive, the entire island rendered uninhabitable for many decades.
This movie unintentionally pulled many punches, but it was still (and still is) utterly terrifying.
Threads originated as a play written before 'The Day after' aired - therefore it was the original!
I'm 45..fr Kansas City, (where majority "The Day After" was filmed,.)
"Threads" still to this day the scariest movie I've ever seen.
But also? "Threads" & "The Day After" are the 2 most important movies ever made.
The biggest deterant to Nuclear War ever.
Yes, Cuban Missle Crisis I'm sure was close/extremely scary.
But imo the truest reality of an actual World-Ending Nuclear War was fr 1979-84.
Absolutely no doubt.
As a child growing up in 1980s?
Nuclear War Scared & Fascinated me more than anything.
But strangest part? It was never talked about. Or the effects GenX kids in 1980s literally were scared shitless of it during that time.
Now imagine them airing it on BBC One nowadays. "If you have been affected by the issues raised in this programme, please call our hotline."
Never again will such a disclaimer be presented before a television broadcast of a new film. And that is a shame.
Very true. Times have changed a great deal.
Big Props to them.
It's a terrifying film.
Only The Road made me feel as helpless and that was shot as a movie rather than a docudrama.
Threads is so disturbing because it feels so real and relatable and maybe only 3 mins away from us in real life at any point in our existence.
I don't know it we'll end ourselves like this. You have to wonder what anyone expects to gain from this but that said, It's still possible and we need to take the possibility of one leader being sufficiently Nihilistic to just resign themselves and their nation to the afterlife.
This becomes more likely the more religious extremists get firing authority of Nuclear weapons and that begins to change the tactical picture.
If a nuclear Islamic state decide Jihad is best served by nuking the Infidel Americans or Europeans how does Nato respond?
If we Nuke Pakistan India suffers as do the rest of the middle east.
Also what do China and Russia do?
The world is fast becoming a cauldron of forces that it will be hard to contain.
On that note. Everyone should watch Threads and ask themselves if this is the future they want.
Luv and Peace.
Oh Canada! Love this. Much respect. What a broadcaster is meant to do. Provoke thought. A great intro.
@mongoose704 I totally agree.
It's not about "special effects", it's about the consequences of a global crisis and I believe Threads portayed it in an unforgiving, realist and gritty light.
one missile hits Sheffield when The Kemps are making there COI Fallout shelter- but it's radiation from Crewe (a strategic Railway and transport junction) that causes the first radiation.- The base where you see the mushroom cloud was RAF Finningley [Now Doncaster-Robin Hood Airport] one of my friends was an extra in Threads at the time. He's a Sheffield man - (Chair of local Labour Party)
Threads was insane. I recommend it highly
10/10. Brutal and terrifying film
Actually it was only one Missle that hit Sheffield but the cities in that area are close together. - hence the fallout blowing across from Crewe. - It's a must see for the younger generation. - the disclamer and introduction on this was good. - the BBC carried no warnings BUT the media and Government talked about it in the week before and for weeks after. - When Regan announced arms limitations I remember The Guardian newspaper printed a cartoon saying "Do you think he saw Threads?"
I love how fucking thoughtful and soft this guy is, youd never see that level of conservatism even in texas nowadays, trust me i've been there!
We were shown threads in school when I was 13. It scared this shit out of everyone, even the bullies were stunned into silence.
We’re closer now to the reality of threads than at any time in the last 40 years. Let’s just hope that cooler heads prevail in Russia and the West. Every prediction for nuclear war starts with an invasion, let’s all hope that invasion isn’t the one happening now in the Ukraine.
My dream project is to remake Threads with modern film techniques and make it even more gruesome and depressing.
I'd love to see a Fallout-style RPG but set against the backdrop of Threads and the 1980s cold war. Enough of this 1950s super positivity. Give the people a real taste of annihilation.
@@KingThrillgore Twilight 2000 could work for that?
I kinda like it on that older film. Feels more gritty and raw than anything digital or high definition can do.
I must have watched this film 20 times and love it for its honesty. I cursed out those shops for NOT having enough food to go around as one man said in that underground shelter coordinating with Sutten. I also was furious at Hospitals for not having enough supplies weeks before this imminent attack I know it's a fictitious story and a certain amount of Drama must be there. it amazes me how Ignorant people are when it comes to preparing for disasters like Jimmy's Family not even taking water or anything I could see to eat when those Bombs fell. that Nuclear Winter is just a theory as these always seem to happen when no severe winds or Hurricanes occur to blow all that Radiation away but stick over each City like glue. Sagan was wrong about this as he never mentioned the fact that Tornadoes or Hurricanes could disperse this fallout in hours not days. the Day After was a Joke where staff of that Hospital were a few miles from those Missiles but never got bombed in retaliation from Russia to hit those Silos.
I saw this very long ago. It freeze me to the bones. The idea of war in the soul of mankind it's yet far from disapear, sadly.
Cris from Chile
@fatdogtavern It was made during th 1980s what kind of graphics did you expect? :P
I think Threads goes into a lot more detail and depth, covers many more issues of a nuclear attack and provides us with a lot more information of the struggle of life when the population falls to Medieval numbers, and overall a lot more graphic and uncensored.
I was shown it in school aged 13 in a Religious Studies class (which in the UK includes civics, politics and philosophy and is mandatory from aged 11 to 13). It stuck with me into adulthood before I finally watched it again more than ten years later. Undoubtedly one of the scariest films ever made.
True
This is by far the most depressing thing I have ever seen
And that was just the intro!
Now THAT’S a trigger warning.
Hiroshima had been largely untouched throughout the earlier firebombing campaigns, being a smaller city. The Japanese people had learned that a single B29 wasn't a threat, but was a recon flight. That changed after the A bomb. Nagasaki was predominately Christian, and had also been largely untouched, Many locals believed it would escape bombing due to it being the only major christian centre. Nagasaki was a tertiary target due to cloud over Kokura & Niigata. 6 people survived both bombs.
Recently watched “Threads” with the threat of nuclear & chemical warfare hanging over Russia & Ukraine.
Scared the living hell out of me.
@fatdogtavern "scene... that looks like someone blew up a gasoline truck" The main purpose of this film is to show how people's lives would be affected - both Threads and The Day After do this, as does Nevil Shute's book On The Beach, which was published in 1957.
The full film is still available on YT if u don't mind a very small screen and Italian subtitles (still with original English audio) [I think it is the video before this one]
When broadcast on BBC ONE primetime Sunday night the BBC actively encouraged parents of Children over 10 to let their children watch and schools had curriculum set around the film to help Middle/Junior school children understand. - I was 13 when I watched it, left a scar on me I joined CND 4 years later.
@Retrontario I watched this movie 2 years ago. Believe me, there's no way to erase this from your memory. I would gladly go back in time to tell myself to not see this film.
I remember when this was shown on BFBS
(British Forces Broadcasting Service) back in the mid 1980's
no such warning was given to us at the time!
Threads was shown on BFBS?
As a nurse, I find the hospital scene pretty optimistic to be honest. Hospitals are overrun with smaller mass casualty events. The thing is most hospitals would only be running with whoever happened to be on duty at the time. I agree entirely that Threads shouldn't be seen by children. Even if you don't agree with its accuracy, it sums up perfectly the mindset of those who grew up in the Cold War thinking of nuclear war.
Thet looked pretty overrun in the hospital scene - thousands of blast/glass/burn victims, little medication available and (as I recall) a memorable scene with what looked like shit and blood all over the floor!
It seems pretty accurate to me -probably understated. The ludicrous idea that we would still have command centres and food supply points and medical/fire treatment (despite nearly all hospitals and fire stations being situated in urban areas). In Threads, the local command centre (run by the local authority) is under the town, in the middle of Sheffield! And their not making this up in the film, nearly all the regional command centres were in urban areas. I digress...
Now of course, we've given up entirely on any sort of nuclear defense or recovery (perhaps admitting there will be no central government after all out war?). However, we still continue building nuclear submarines etc. The lunatics are in control.....
The hospital scene was also around 6-10 days after the nukes dropped.
@Retrontario: However, if the threat of nuclear war ever comes again, EVERYONE will need to see this movie.
you wouldn't be surprised at all... if you and I were watching this thirty years ago.
Scariest movie I have ever seen!
Probably the best depiction of a nuclear war and the consequences afterwards. But at the same time one of the scariest movies you'll ever see.
@fatdogtavern Good point. But the explosions in 'The Day After' look like giant jellyfishes.
this was a BBC Film so never intended to entertain.- The BBC put deliberatly ironic humour in like the bit with the Prawn Cocktail crisps where the Army guys living on good food options say "Prawn Cocktail, They Bloody would be!"
Here is the full movie:
vimeo.com/18781528
I couldn't imagine how traumatic this would be to watch in the 80s
@boobtuber06
I was wondering that myself. The Day After is a brillant movie, very sad, very depressing. But it pales before Threads. It's probably the total lack of human (not comical) relief. There is no, absolutely no compassion, no sharing of emotions or experiences. People even lose their speech, their ability to feel for each other. I remember that being the starkest impression Threads made. Society, familiy, friendship is getting utterly destroyed. Devastating.
after i watched that movie [about a year ago], i couldn't sleep for days...and i had to leave the light on at night...i'm mildly embarassed that i just told you guys that.
I was 20 and in the uk when i saw threads and the war game and i was stunned
I went to the library to pick up a protect and survive pamphlet that told us to take doors of and close the curtains
The 'door and mattress' shelter was MEANT to crush you, not protect you. Thanks uk govt !!. They didnt want too many out looking for food or help....
yep...the basic assumption was the USSR would launch at 0300-0400 Washington time, which made for 0800-0900 UK time. The US response would be at its slowest, due to fatigue, and would catch europeans at work or on their way. IRBMs launched from East Germany would reach the UK in a matter of seconds, giving no real time to warn the population. The US would get a longer warning due to the longer flight time of ICBMs from the USSR, but sub launched missiles would give little warning.
if i was watching this in the 80s id listen 2 this guy lol
Scotjulie 27 Threads is on DVD I have copy of it myself that I bought a while back. I don't know if the BBC have now put it onto Blue Ray.
It is only on DVD in the UK, but you can get it on Blue Ray in the USA.
Its available from Severin in the US, Simply Media in the UK and EU. You can also stream it for free on Tubi
@Retrontario Wrong. Everyone should see Threads. As another poster said, the film is the most practical nuclear deterrent ever devised.
BFBS would have shown the BBC format as was - uncut - there was a big debate after the show with David Dimbleby and politicians of the day.
Powerful even in todays crazy world.
What a grown-up TV station.
Back in the day even trigger warnings were serious.
Why isn't more news like this? I'm tired of the bias. Just state the news professionally for Christ's sake.
Big brown will you share your hospital experience with smaller events that overwhelmed the staff. I'd like to hear about it.
This movie is most practical nuclear deterrent ever devised. Thank God we never, and hopefully won't, wake up in it one day.
Yea pretty big of them not to play commercials during it. Tho I doubt they would have been able to sell any TV spots during it anyway.
I was 14 when I first saw threads in 1984 and it scared the shit out of me, out of curiosity I bought it on dvd about 5 years ago and I still found it really frightening, now with the Russia/Ukraine and China situations, I wonder how much time our species has left, - but on the plus side maybe the cockroaches will make a better job of the world when we're gone - (or maybe the apes) lol🤔😂😂
@SocratesTheGadfly Wow, you truly are a master debater. Say "quite the contrary" has certainly brought me around to your way of thinking. And you position is so strong, citing examples would only be showing weakness. Bravo.
Religion has been controlling people long before any of those forms of government, half of which you probably can't even define. At least you learned how to turn CAPSLOCK off.
I seen that movie threads, & he mentions that the day after is a walk in the park to it ? if that is so, why are there so many similarities to it ?and keep in mind, that The Day After first aired back in november of 1983 and threads aired a year after that.
Ha ha ha - why are there so many similarities? Er.....because they were both about thermo-nuclear war? Could that be it?
@@BNCA70 not my point
Raise your hand if you did NOT feel uncomfortable which watching 'Threads'. I don't think they'll be any hands up at all.
Threads should have had "bridge over troubled waters" at the end when the girl was walking over the ruins looking for the place to give birth to the dead deformed baby.
Manitoba was probably the lowest prioritiy of targets to the Soviet missile forces.
one more note, the quality of "Threads" was much to be desired Technologically speaking!!
I know, what the heck is behind that movie that it can conjure up such power?
Where can i stream this
@OrangeJuice101 And the scenario leading to war was more realistic in Threads. It was over oil. BTW in The Day After a girl basically points out how ridiculous it would be to go to war to save the Germans (she was right, we didn't when they blockaded Berlin before.) She then says "now if we're talking about oil in Saudi Arabia then I'd be really worried." TDA discredits its own plot behind for WW3 but credits that which Threads endorsed, LOL!
I Fucking loved the show.
NOW the films producers would have to put in Post Nuclear Zombies to get viewers.
No chance the TV would air Threats today. It would not fit the thirst of the masses for braindead entertainment...
But it should be shown every year to remind people of what nuclear war means. Even better, it should be remade in the same spirit, style and updated effects. Without softening the tone. But with such ideas and wishes for movie productions today, you are an endangered species...
@battyguy Yes it is!!
I worked on the Minuteman III missile
This is not the introduction in the film, it is merely a courtesy played in the U.S
@OrangeJuice101 As any film makers will attest to, special effects are a method of story telling. If used only for the effect of getting a bunch of teenage boys to say "kewl dOOd," it becomes a boring movie much like the special effects orgies released today that are mostly crap movies overall.
The effects in Threads conveyed the message the director and producer wanted us to receive. Nuclear war is UGLY and HORRIFIC.
@fatdogtavern Cheesy? I don't think you know what that word means but it was TDA that was cheesy. it was cheesy to understate and underscore the horrific reality of nuclear war which TDA didn't come close to capturing. The proof is in the fact that people are saying: "Cool effects."
Threads was ugly BY DESIGN, especially the effects. Cheesy? OMG not even close. It was rude, insensitive, unsympathetic, cold, harsh and gritty.
@SilverBars42 Radiation?
I bet the sale of tinned goods and digging tools went through the roof after this broadcast
Nah they're not dumb here any more, you moved away. They weren't hunkered down as you put it. It struck at 8:15 when most people are going to work, but I'm sure you wouldn't know about that. But then that is the point is it not. That was a time when they had slow moving bombers. Now they have nuclear submarines. The nuclear warning may be as little as 30 seconds. Are you going to get in shelter in such a short time? Be realistic Nuclear expert, you have know idea what you're on about.
About a week later, Thomas the Tank Engine took the airwaves by storm...and cured the many children who had the unfortunate pleasure of watching this movie.
With stand off with Russia over the Ukarine and on going war with Islamists the dangers of nuclear war are very real. Threads is as pertinent today as it was 30 years ago when it was first broadcast.
+Professor6871 Not forgetting to mention North Korea and Iran...
Two months ago Russia tested (if you can call an explosion that killed five people a test) a low orbit missile that would theoretically give them an undetectable ordinance that can be used at any time. The risk has never gone away. It's never been higher.
We have to outlaw these weapons before they're used.
@@KingThrillgore laws won't stop governments from making those kinds of weapons. Hell, just the illegal bio weapons and viruses sitting in labs right now should make everyone terrified.
Far better depiction of reality than any 'horror' movie, this is also what you'd call real horror not that made up hollywood nonsense. It will leave a very long lasting impression on you after . ☹
Would Global have shown this movie? They bought out CKND, iirc.
And what did the US think of our Threads ?
It was the most brutal film I’ve ever seen....but it made its point clear.
In Australia they would don their BDSM gear and hunt for gas in the desert. In the US we'd hoard bottle caps in vaults. The Brits pulled zero punches about this kind of stuff. This is probably one of three films I can count on to put me in a nihilist state of mind. Unforgiving and unflinching. More horrifying than a video nasty. Hats off to ya, this film probably saved the world.
(And for the interest of the public, Grave of the Fireflies and Requiem for a Dream are the other two.)
You forgot to mention it almost happened by accident in 1995, when Russian radar mistook a Norwegian satellite rocket for a nuclear missile.
I'll add, look up "Able Archer '83," to your list. "Able Archer" was one of two instances during 1983 where we came as close, if not closer, to all- out nuclear war, than the Cuban Missile Crisis.
@@jaytimmerman992 Check out ‘Deutschland 83’ on All4, as the whole series is centred around Abel Archer
Sheffield is a city.
Yup, you're right, the peoples of Nagasaki and Hiroshima imagined the whole thing.
@fatdogtavern Yeah glass melts and bright light blots out all vision in a has station explosion, LOL! Exploding buildings, cinder blocks and steel beams crushing people, and people being burned to death by the flash...yep that is just a gas station explosion.
Silly too!
And yet with a fraction of The Day After's budget it is vastly superior.