So, the filmmakers of “The Day After” took it a step additional to say, if one thing went dangerous in Europe, what would that appear like? And it’s not informed from New York Metropolis. It’s not informed from Los Angeles. It’s informed from rural Lawrence, Kan., which seemingly wouldn’t be the primary goal for a incoming missile strike apart from the truth that they host intercontinental ballistic missiles within the farm fields.
Clip from “The Day After”
Joe Huxley: That’s about 150 Minuteman missile silos unfold midway down the state of Missouri.
Hennigan: That’s nonetheless American coverage as we speak. These missiles are within the Nice Plains states to today.
Clip from “The Day After”
Joe Huxley: That’s an terrible lot of bull’s-eyes.
Hennigan: Nuclear struggle isn’t one thing which you can actually wrap your thoughts round due to the unnatural horror that’s concerned in it. And “The Day After” places it on in full show.
A story that the movie does nicely is that it takes you from the vantage level of common individuals.
Clip from “The Day After”
Information broadcast: — press secretary David Townes stories that either side are engaged in frank and earnest talks —
Hennigan: Earlier than the bombs drop, you’re getting info in dribs and drabs. You’re not seeing the entire chessboard. Individuals are listening to issues about potential battle breaking out.
Clip from “The Day After”
Bruce Gallatin: What’s occurring?
Scholar: They are saying the Russians simply invaded West Germany.
Cynthia: We’re not going to nuke the Russians to save lots of the Germans. I imply, when you had been speaking oil in Saudi Arabia, then I’d be actual frightened.
Hennigan: They’re not likely certain what’s occurring, after which rapidly there’s a run on the grocery.
Clip from “The Day After”
Grocery retailer chaos: Out of my approach! The batteries!
Hennigan: And for me, I can relate to that. I feel numerous Individuals can relate to that popping out of the pandemic. You begin seeing issues within the information which might be troubling. You don’t actually totally perceive what the entire image is.
Clip from “The Day After”
Jim Dahlberg: Don’t there’s just about a nationwide emergency occurring?
Eve Dahlberg: Properly, it’s simply going to should go on with out me as a result of your daughter is getting married tomorrow, and I received 67 mouths to feed.
Hennigan: However, you then’re like, wow, the entire world has abruptly modified.
It was deeply researched, and never solely is it informed from the bottom stage, but it surely additionally has the science to again it up of the dramatic results of residing in an irradiated world.
Clip from “The Day After”
Consumption officer: What’s your damage?
Airman Billy McCoy: I, uh, I can’t hold nothing in. Not even my very own hair.
Hennigan: “The Day After” was such an unprecedented exploration of nuclear battle. It made TV historical past.
“ABC7 NY Eyewitness Information”: It was a film like no different film, and it had a profound influence … We’ll hear from individuals who, such as you, watched the last word catastrophe film tonight on tv.
Hennigan: And it was so paradigm-shifting that the U.S. authorities took time on the station afterward to speak on to the American public about what the dangers of nuclear struggle are.
“ABC7 NY Eyewitness Information”: Greater than 700 individuals packed Riverside Church tonight to observe “The Day After.’’ Many mentioned they got here right here as a result of they had been afraid to observe it alone. Whereas the TV film was being proven, the streets of New York had been quite a bit much less crowded than normal for a Sunday evening.
Hennigan: Not solely did it have this cultural influence, but it surely additionally swayed coverage. Ronald Reagan, famously, after watching “The Day After,” softened his stance and rhetoric surrounding nuclear weapons with the Soviet Union, and certainly, his administration had main breakthroughs in arms management and de-escalation efforts with the united statesS.R. within the years afterward.
It’s laborious to maintain the American public’s consideration on the subject of arcane topic issues like nuclear weapons, however movies and artwork typically is essentially the most accessible approach for individuals to grasp these very, very tough topics. They’re in a position to stir feelings in individuals, to impress them to develop into extra energetic of their futures. Once you’re emotionally stirred and also you’re activated to do one thing.
I don’t assume lots of people are going to search out historical past books and white papers accessible, however these movies do a extremely good job conveying in a approach that’s each entertaining in addition to being informative. So when you do wish to know extra, I’d advocate watching “Dr. Strangelove,” “Fail Secure,” “The Day After” — and take a look at our ongoing collection, On the Brink.
