Threads - Will's Review

Originally released in 1984, when nuclear war looked frighteningly possible, even likely, Threads is a docu-drama by the BBC, detailing the possible effects of a nuclear strike, on Britain generally, and on 2 families in particular.

I vaguely remember this causing a bit of a fuss when it was shown on TV, and I seem to recall a big deal being made when it was repeated in the early 90's too; I finally saw it for the first time about 8 years ago, and again for this review. It isn't particularly a film that benefits from a second viewing, as much of its impact comes from the shock of the severity of the situation; but fear not, imaginary reader, as my memory of the firt time around is still clear 9 years later (truth be told, I could probably have 'cheated' and done this without a rewatch!).

It starts of reasonably soap-opera-ish, with our main characters deciding to marry because of an unplanned pregnancy, while their respective families deal with their versions feuds and problems. One thing that you don't normally here or see in dips though, are reports about the mounting difficulties between the west (specifically the US), and The Soviet Union.

Now, bear in mind that this was 1983. The world was locked in a Cold War that always seemed dangerously close to turning hot; in real life people had actually been sent the government produced booklets featured in the film, detailing what to do during nuclear attack (you were supposed to use the three minute warning to, amongst other things, remove most if your doors and use then to build a makeshift shelter).

As uncomfortable as this movie is to watch now, watching it then must have been almost too much to bear, and must have cost many people more than just the one night's sleep.

You see, in the movie we eventually take a detour from the soap style (and, thankfully, from real life) as the news reports become more prominent on the story, and more urgent in nature; This cumulates when the bomb hits.

If the initial strike is horrific, then I do not have words for the shockwave.

For all of the horrific images, for all of the human suffering, one of the most powerful images in the movie is that of a glass milk bottle on a doorstep, meal ring as the wave hits. (if you don't know why an empty milk bottle would be on your doorstep, ask your dad, you whippersnapper you.)

From there of course, it only gets worse; those killed in the blast are the lucky ones, as the movie goes into great detail about the breakdown if society, to radiation sickness, to nuclear winter. If anything, I suppose this is an apocalypse movie; but not the 'triumphant outpost of humanity' affair you're used to, where a group of heroes make the best of a bad situation; this is bleak, and realistic, and horrid; this is you or me, stuck in hell, watching everything we know fall apart.

The bleak realism of the movie is fairly typical of the British approach to the threat of nuclear war; while our US counterparts were taught to 'duck and cover' and that everything would be okay, the TV information films produced, but thankfully never aired for real (although they appear in the movie), instead told you to wrap your dead in plastic, and store them in a separate room until the fallout has calendar down enough to drag them outside and dig them a shallow grave.

The movie details further and further into the future and, for me, this is where it falls down. Everything up to the '2 years later' mark seems fair enough; but thereafter I can't help but feel they got carried away. By the '13 years later' segment, anyone born post-strike can't even talk properly, blurting out ill-formed words of broken English ("babby now!" For instance, means "I think the baby is coming"). While I get that education would be limited, I refuse to accept that children would no longer naturally learn to pick up the language from those around them.

Despite it's flawed ending though, it is a highly unpleasant, depressing, horrific, and very important movie; one which I strongly recommend that you watch (and one that should be mandatory viewing for anyone joining a political or military career path.)

Threads (1984) - Lisa's Review

This weeks movie from our 'Time Out 100 Best Horror movies' is a docu-style film made for BBC TV from 1984.  I seem to remember something vaguely about this from many years ago.  I know I hadn't seen the movie before, but I think I was most definately aware of the fact it had been made and caused quite the stir at the time.

The movie follows inhabitants of Sheffield, specifically 2 families, before, during and after the breakout of a Nuclear war between America and Russia.

As the movie starts we are brought into the homes of a couple of families and made aware of various situations and problems they have.  In the background we hear radio broadcasts and there are news reports.   These start as a background noise alongside the script, but soon become more and more prevalent as we are advised of the situation in Iran with regards to America & Russia.

The actual explosion itself, the damage, the deaths and the fallout are all shown in detail and make for sobering viewing.  Of course we've seen much, much gorier, bloodier scenes in other movies, but something about the documentary style in this movie, the location and the subject matter makes it all feel very close to home.  That's why this movie works so well.  It's possible.

You might say Vampires, Werewolfs and maniacs are the stuff of nightmares, but this movie is the stuff of real nightmares.  While watching it was almost impossible not to consider the thought of being in the situation yourself.  I found myself wondering what I would do?

As the different manners in which people die are played out and we are given text on screen (you remember that really irritating typewriter sound they used to play in 80's movies when text came up on a screen as if it was being typed? well, that!) giving us information, figures, timescales and effects.

Normally this sort of movie ends after the main event, tying things up nicely for us....not in this case.  We are given updates up to many years after the event and are told what has changed and what the effects have been.  It makes you think if this event were to ever happen, you'd prefer to die in the initial explosion.  They were the lucky ones....

The movie ends abruptly and with sobering reality.  It's one of those where, when you've finished watching it, you don't really know what to say, how to feel.  If I'm honest it made me feel thoroughly depressed.  The fact this is a real threat and completely possible is what makes this movie so effective.

I have given it a 'recommended' even though I can't say I felt brilliant after having watched it.  It's not a movie you're going to feel good about, but it definately is effective in what it sets out to do.  I can see why it made the Time Out Top 100 list.