According to Richard Rhodes in his book, “Arsenals of Folly”, the Soviet leadership in 1983 was convinced that Reagan would initiate a “First Strike” on the U.S.S.R. Ironically, according to Rhodes, Reagan watched “The Day After” in a special pre-broadcast screening at the White House and was shaken by the movie’s depiction of World War III. It helped to convince him that disarmament was essential for the survival of the planet. Fortunately, Gorbachev, who came to power in 1985, came to the same conclusion. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion in 1986 shook him. The amount of radiation released over time was equivalent to a 10 Megaton H-Bomb. The Reagan-Gorbachev summit at Reykjavik, Iceland led to the breakthrough in nuclear disarmament. There was a major reduction in strategic nukes and the elimination of tactical nukes, and Europe became a nuclear-free zone. But there is still much work to be done. Trump’s U.S. and Putin’s Russia seem to be on the brink of another arms race.
I was in college when this was shown. There was a ‘party’ to watch it in on guy’s place. My girlfriend worked as a reporter for the Hartford Current working the college angle so we got interviewed afterward. “what did you think?” woodward and burnstien did not look as cute in a tight sweater and didn;‘t sit on their subject’s lap, but my mother in NY heard my comment on it which got a lot of traction. that the film showed how horrible the results would be but never said what lead to the exchange.
Sorry, I can’t help but laugh at people who believe that what comes out of Hollywood is realistic. Hollywood does produce a few ‘realistic’ movies but most take a fairly liberal helping of artistic license when producing a movie or TV show.
Interesting, as I just last night finished reading American Prometheus, a biography of J Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.” I highly recommend it.
Does anyone remember another television film in the 80s where it played like a newscast in real time about a nuclear war threat? I recall my grandmother walking by the TV while some family members were watching it and her thinking, for a brief moment, that it was real.
I remember WATCHING “The Day After” when I was at SDSU! The whole movie cancelled itself out by stating at the end that the ACTUAL nuclear weapons were MORE POWERFUL then what was portrayed in the movie. Which meant then, and still means now, there will NEVER be a “Day After”. Just a “Day Of”, then nothing!
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 4 years ago
According to Richard Rhodes in his book, “Arsenals of Folly”, the Soviet leadership in 1983 was convinced that Reagan would initiate a “First Strike” on the U.S.S.R. Ironically, according to Rhodes, Reagan watched “The Day After” in a special pre-broadcast screening at the White House and was shaken by the movie’s depiction of World War III. It helped to convince him that disarmament was essential for the survival of the planet. Fortunately, Gorbachev, who came to power in 1985, came to the same conclusion. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion in 1986 shook him. The amount of radiation released over time was equivalent to a 10 Megaton H-Bomb. The Reagan-Gorbachev summit at Reykjavik, Iceland led to the breakthrough in nuclear disarmament. There was a major reduction in strategic nukes and the elimination of tactical nukes, and Europe became a nuclear-free zone. But there is still much work to be done. Trump’s U.S. and Putin’s Russia seem to be on the brink of another arms race.
Ravenswing over 4 years ago
And “The Day After” was the MILD version. If you want to see a truly bleak contemporaneous one, see “Threads.”
awgiedawgie Premium Member over 4 years ago
I remember watching “The Day After” when I was a teenager. It was quite chilling back then.
Wizard of Ahz-no relation over 4 years ago
I was in college when this was shown. There was a ‘party’ to watch it in on guy’s place. My girlfriend worked as a reporter for the Hartford Current working the college angle so we got interviewed afterward. “what did you think?” woodward and burnstien did not look as cute in a tight sweater and didn;‘t sit on their subject’s lap, but my mother in NY heard my comment on it which got a lot of traction. that the film showed how horrible the results would be but never said what lead to the exchange.
viking-riverrat over 4 years ago
love “NO FISSION”
Mordock999 Premium Member over 4 years ago
And check out “Failsafe” and “The Bedford Incident.” Not as all encompassing as “The Day After,” but thought provoking enough………,
Kim Roberts over 4 years ago
Or read. The most optimistic post-nuclear novel is Pat Frank’s Alas, Babylon; then read Nevil Shute’s On The Beach.
MEPace over 4 years ago
Sorry, I can’t help but laugh at people who believe that what comes out of Hollywood is realistic. Hollywood does produce a few ‘realistic’ movies but most take a fairly liberal helping of artistic license when producing a movie or TV show.
Drummer54 over 4 years ago
Interesting, as I just last night finished reading American Prometheus, a biography of J Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.” I highly recommend it.
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 4 years ago
No NUKES! Let radioactive elements decay naturally.
Sisyphos over 4 years ago
Wait for the fallout at the Meadow, forever-young Michael Binkley….
BC in NC Premium Member over 4 years ago
Does anyone remember another television film in the 80s where it played like a newscast in real time about a nuclear war threat? I recall my grandmother walking by the TV while some family members were watching it and her thinking, for a brief moment, that it was real.
AtheisticallyYours1 over 4 years ago
I remember WATCHING “The Day After” when I was at SDSU! The whole movie cancelled itself out by stating at the end that the ACTUAL nuclear weapons were MORE POWERFUL then what was portrayed in the movie. Which meant then, and still means now, there will NEVER be a “Day After”. Just a “Day Of”, then nothing!