Post nuclear war movies

[MillCreek]

I have been on a bit of a kick lately watching post-nuclear war movies.  This is an area where the Brits have it all over us. I can recommend two in particular: the War Game and Threads.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2023790698427111488 (Threads)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2864871032688882557 (the War Game)

Interesting depictions of an industrial society after a nuclear exchange.  These are way better than the Day After.

[Phyphor]

Do you play computer games at all? If so, check out the Fallout series...

[SADShooter]

I remember watching Threads, but never heard of The War Game. Thanks.

[RoadKingLarry]

The Postman (post apocalyptic but I'm not sure if it was a nuke war)
On the Beach
Planet of the Apes
A Boy and His Dog
Mad Max

[Jim147]

Can't leave out The Day After.

I think it changed some peoples thinking about nuclear war.

If your up for a "Wow, somebody made this?" type of movie try the post apocalyptic version of Beowulf. 

jim

[Angel Eyes]

I have been on a bit of a kick lately watching post-nuclear war movies.  This is an area where the Brits have it all over us. I can recommend two in particular: the War Game and Threads.

Yes, both are quite good (and by "good" I mean depressing as hell).  Despite being dated and having an extremely low budget, The War Game is still effective at giving one the heebie-jeebies.  It makes The Day After look almost cartoonish.  The narrator with the Very Serious Delivery certainly helps.

More broadly speaking, the Brits have a knack for post-apocalyptic fiction (28 Days Later, Things to Come) that Hollywood hasn't been able to match.

[Perd Hapley]

If your up for a "Wow, somebody made this?" type of movie try the post apocalyptic version of Beowulf. 

Saw it. You summed it up neatly.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/314876/beowulf

[Stetson]

Book of Eli

[MillCreek]

Yes, both are quite good (and by "good" I mean depressing as hell).  Despite being dated and having an extremely low budget, The War Game is still effective at giving one the heebie-jeebies.  It makes The Day After look almost cartoonish.  The narrator with the Very Serious Delivery certainly helps.

More broadly speaking, the Brits have a knack for post-apocalyptic fiction (28 Days Later, Things to Come) that Hollywood hasn't been able to match.

The BBC did not show The War Game on television until 1985, 20 years after it was made.  It was judged too disturbing to be watched.  It was finally broadcast after as part of a special series on nuclear war that also included Threads.

[Perd Hapley]

Twilight: BEST POST-NUKE-WAR MOVIE EVAR!!!!!11

[drewtam]

Two things I have against disaster movies in general and nuclear war movies in specific...

1 Despite the movies showing rape, pillage and everyman for himself. Experience such as 9/11 (and even Katrina) showed people are usually willing to help people. In the case of 9/11 too many people stayed behind helping the slow rather than getting out when they had the chance. When all those folks needed to get off the island, most merchant vessels created an emergency ferrying service without being asked, and without any gov't direction.

2 The impact of radiation and fallout always seems to be projected as the end of the world. "Nuclear winter" and unregenerate bleak landscapes are the tradition. But having been to Hiroshima and seen the trees that survived and regenerated, it makes me skeptical of that vision.

This is why I will never be a good story teller. I would tell an upbeat apocalypse.

[Perd Hapley]

Two things I have against disaster movies in general and nuclear war movies in specific...

1 Despite the movies showing rape, pillage and everyman for himself. Experience such as 9/11 (and even Katrina) showed people are usually willing to help people. In the case of 9/11 too many people stayed behind helping the slow rather than getting out when they had the chance. When all those folks needed to get off the island, most merchant vessels created an emergency ferrying service without being asked, and without any gov't direction.

I think most of the post-apocalyptic moves focus on the long-range future, after all of the coming-together-in-a-time-of-crisis has worn off, and people are simply doing what they feel is in their self-interest.

I think most disaster movies show both sides of it; the looters, and the people helping others.

As far as people being opportunistic in a crisis, it does happen. Eg., post-Katrina looting, etc.

[MechAg94]

I am watching Godzilla now on one of the pay channels.  I might have to start another thread about BS in monster movies.  

I agree with drewtam's comments.  Civilization has a lot of momentum going for it.  I think it would take a while and a lot of hardship for that to change.

On the other hand, without good water supply, areas like Southern California might turn into pretty bad places

[Tallpine]

without good water supply, areas like Southern California might turn into pretty bad places

And that would be different, how

 

[MechAg94]

And that would be different, how

 

Perhaps I should say they might actually look like those desert wastelands in the movies once they have millions of people bumping around and little water. 

[AJ Dual]

Perhaps I should say they might actually look like those desert wastelands in the movies once they have millions of people bumping around and little water. 

After a week or two, there wouldn't be millions of people bumping around anymore.

Disease running through those crowding around the remaining available sources would winnow down the rest quite a bit too.

[Tallpine]

After a week or two, there wouldn't be millions of people bumping around anymore.

Disease running through those crowding around the remaining available sources would winnow down the rest quite a bit too.

So, a vast improvement