Comments on: The War Game (1965): "too horrifying for the medium of broadcasting” http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 14:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: T.A. Wardrope http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611584 T.A. Wardrope Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611584 The War Game is a chilling and horrifying film, indeed. Probably more effective now than it was when it was made. We've come to expect sensibilities and limitations in older films, boundaries which this film rolls right over in its unflinching look at nuclear war.  What make it most effective is the dry, journalistic approach that is certainly reminiscent of WW2 newsreels. No shaky camera work or faux-amateur production is needed to sell the reality of the story. The War Game is a chilling and horrifying film, indeed. Probably more effective now than it was when it was made. We’ve come to expect sensibilities and limitations in older films, boundaries which this film rolls right over in its unflinching look at nuclear war. 

What make it most effective is the dry, journalistic approach that is certainly reminiscent of WW2 newsreels. No shaky camera work or faux-amateur production is needed to sell the reality of the story.

]]> By: Sparg http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611533 Sparg Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611533 I remember both of those.  We watched them in the barracks in West Berlin and they made me even more anxious. ;)  Hell, one time on Teufelsberg got momentarily blinded by a flash and thought my ticket had just been punched.  Glad those days are over, or a least the worrying about MAD. I remember both of those.  We watched them in the barracks in West Berlin and they made me even more anxious. ;)  Hell, one time on Teufelsberg got momentarily blinded by a flash and thought my ticket had just been punched.  Glad those days are over, or a least the worrying about MAD.

]]> By: TimRowledge http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611422 TimRowledge Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611422 Some people made a lot of money out that belief. Some things never change. Some people made a lot of money out that belief. Some things never change.

]]> By: Ben Mckeown http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611372 Ben Mckeown Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611372  The full-length version of this used to be on Google Videos. A genuinely harrowing watch  The full-length version of this used to be on Google Videos. A genuinely harrowing watch

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611347 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611347 People were afraid that the Soviets would invade us.  Actually come over here and take us over.  They couldn't even run the most basic infrastructures, but they were somehow going to ship 20,000,000 well-armed soldiers here to take over ours.  It's amazing that anybody ever believed it. People were afraid that the Soviets would invade us.  Actually come over here and take us over.  They couldn’t even run the most basic infrastructures, but they were somehow going to ship 20,000,000 well-armed soldiers here to take over ours.  It’s amazing that anybody ever believed it.

]]> By: cfuse http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611214 cfuse Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611214 I love (hard realism) post-apocalyptic films, but they are bad for my mental health. I love (hard realism) post-apocalyptic films, but they are bad for my mental health.

]]> By: Michael Walsh http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1611066 Michael Walsh Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1611066 Functioned quite well? Even without an antiwar movement they couldn't defeat the Afghans, and there was the famous incident when German teenager <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathias_Rust" rel="nofollow">Mathias Rust </a>flew a Cessna through the impenetrable Soviet air defense system and landed in Red Square. When push came to topple, they couldn't even trust their own troops enough to stop Yeltsin's march on the parliment. Functioned quite well? Even without an antiwar movement they couldn’t defeat the Afghans, and there was the famous incident when German teenager Mathias Rust flew a Cessna through the impenetrable Soviet air defense system and landed in Red Square. When push came to topple, they couldn’t even trust their own troops enough to stop Yeltsin’s march on the parliment.

]]> By: BlackPanda http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610943 BlackPanda Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610943 "Threads" remains one of my top-10 favourite films of all time. It amuses me no end that a group of my uni friends who were into all their torture-porn horror nonsense refused to watch Threads with me when I borrowed it from the library, on the specific grounds that it previously gave every single one of them nightmares. If "The War Game" is even better, then I must see it. “Threads” remains one of my top-10 favourite films of all time. It amuses me no end that a group of my uni friends who were into all their torture-porn horror nonsense refused to watch Threads with me when I borrowed it from the library, on the specific grounds that it previously gave every single one of them nightmares.

If “The War Game” is even better, then I must see it.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610742 Guest Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610742 I have come to believe that their economy and their civil society (or rather, lack thereof) was a mess despite and because their massive military functioned quite well. I have come to believe that their economy and their civil society (or rather, lack thereof) was a mess despite and because their massive military functioned quite well.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610736 Guest Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610736 It's a valid worst case scenario. If push would have come to shove, I don't see why it would have been impossible for the socialist states to put their differences aside and form an alliance. It’s a valid worst case scenario. If push would have come to shove, I don’t see why it would have been impossible for the socialist states to put their differences aside and form an alliance.

]]> By: Michael Walsh http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610698 Michael Walsh Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610698 It's an interesting point that these anti-atom bomb movies generally came out just as the war trend was fading. Watkins release <i> War Game</i> just as the Test-Ban treaty was taking hold, with the related reduction in tensions. <i>Testament</i> was released in 1983, during the last anti-nuke wave when we were all afraid of nuclear winter. I remember at that period other manifestations, like the ridiculous "55 Red Balloons" phase, and people suggesting that East Germany should break from the Warsaw pact (fat chance) and West German from NATO and they could run their own zones without contributing to war. Yet even then it was beginning to dawn on everybody that the Soviet Union was an irremmediable mess and that they couldn't hit Cleveland on a sunny day. A few years later the East Bloc fell apart like a cheap suitcase, and the fear of nuclear war unraveled with it. It’s an interesting point that these anti-atom bomb movies generally came out just as the war trend was fading. Watkins release  War Game just as the Test-Ban treaty was taking hold, with the related reduction in tensions. Testament was released in 1983, during the last anti-nuke wave when we were all afraid of nuclear winter. I remember at that period other manifestations, like the ridiculous “55 Red Balloons” phase, and people suggesting that East Germany should break from the Warsaw pact (fat chance) and West German from NATO and they could run their own zones without contributing to war. Yet even then it was beginning to dawn on everybody that the Soviet Union was an irremmediable mess and that they couldn’t hit Cleveland on a sunny day. A few years later the East Bloc fell apart like a cheap suitcase, and the fear of nuclear war unraveled with it.

]]> By: hassan-i-sabbah http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610642 hassan-i-sabbah Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610642 Watkins Docu-drama Culloden is worth a watch too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAojJ0D8Nng Watkins Docu-drama Culloden is worth a watch too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAojJ0D8Nng

]]> By: Ladyfingers http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610631 Ladyfingers Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610631 This is the nuclear war documentary that ruined my childhood. Could barely sleep after seeing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSdbCj921cw This is the nuclear war documentary that ruined my childhood. Could barely sleep after seeing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSdbCj921cw

]]> By: fergus1948 http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610625 fergus1948 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610625  Yes, The War Game would have been so much better if Tom Cruise had saved everybody at the end.  Yes, The War Game would have been so much better if Tom Cruise had saved everybody at the end.

]]> By: cfuse http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610622 cfuse Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610622 Implausible is a synonym for a lack of imagination. Politicians and the Military are human, with all the flaws that entails - you only have to look at the idiocy they get up to on a day to day basis to see that they shouldn't be given cutlery, let alone nukes. Implausible is a synonym for a lack of imagination.

Politicians and the Military are human, with all the flaws that entails – you only have to look at the idiocy they get up to on a day to day basis to see that they shouldn’t be given cutlery, let alone nukes.

]]> By: cfuse http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610619 cfuse Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610619 I didn't know that, that's sad. I didn’t know that, that’s sad.

]]> By: cfuse http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610618 cfuse Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610618 The beauty of the situation is that you can watch both, today, for free. The beauty of the situation is that you can watch both, today, for free.

]]> By: kringlebertfistyebuns http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610555 kringlebertfistyebuns Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610555 Tagging on to the "Threads" post, the "Protect And Survive" shorts which feature prominently in that film are available on Youtube. Chilling to watch. There's also this little documentary from the early 1980s, about the effects of Nuclear War: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb7EO1e62IQ Tagging on to the “Threads” post, the “Protect And Survive” shorts which feature prominently in that film are available on Youtube. Chilling to watch.

There’s also this little documentary from the early 1980s, about the effects of Nuclear War:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb7EO1e62IQ

]]> By: Tod Booth http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610500 Tod Booth Tue, 18 Dec 2012 04:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610500 "War Games" is one of the two Saddest Movies I've Ever Seen. The other is also a nuclear attack movie, "Testament," from 1983, starring Jane Alexander. “War Games” is one of the two Saddest Movies I’ve Ever Seen. The other is also a nuclear attack movie, “Testament,” from 1983, starring Jane Alexander.

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610471 Incipient Madness Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610471 I'm going to watch this all tomorrow, but I have got to add that their scenario is pretty implausible. It supposes that there is a monolithic Communist bloc. Chinese troops invading South Vietnam alongside the NVA? The NVA would be busting up the Chinese and all the dudes in the south would be rushing up north to help out. I’m going to watch this all tomorrow, but I have got to add that their scenario is pretty implausible. It supposes that there is a monolithic Communist bloc. Chinese troops invading South Vietnam alongside the NVA? The NVA would be busting up the Chinese and all the dudes in the south would be rushing up north to help out.

]]> By: Sekino http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610468 Sekino Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610468 The film about nuclear war that consistently makes lose my composure is 'When the Wind Blows'. Maybe because it's animated, it's so easy to identify with the sweet, disarmingly naive old couple. It's so simple yet terribly poignant, I'm gutted every time I watch it. The film about nuclear war that consistently makes lose my composure is ‘When the Wind Blows’. Maybe because it’s animated, it’s so easy to identify with the sweet, disarmingly naive old couple. It’s so simple yet terribly poignant, I’m gutted every time I watch it.

]]> By: stretchoutandwait http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610453 stretchoutandwait Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610453 At least its not 20 tons of high explosive to every man woman and child on the planet anymore (44.16) - the population has more than doubled since then. At least its not 20 tons of high explosive to every man woman and child on the planet anymore (44.16) – the population has more than doubled since then.

]]> By: mikethedyke http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610421 mikethedyke Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610421 Threads is a great (albeit depressing) movie...another good English nuclear holocaust movie in the same vain is the animated movie, "As the Wind Blows.":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9aHT-IlkHo  Highly recommended for fans of the genre.  Threads is a great (albeit depressing) movie…another good English nuclear holocaust movie in the same vain is the animated movie, “As the Wind Blows.”: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9aHT-IlkHo 

Highly recommended for fans of the genre. 

]]> By: info http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610386 info Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610386 May I point out that in 2009 there were still 23.574 active warheads http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/sep/06/nuclear-weapons-world-us-north-korea-russia-iran ready to go off anytime? Today, of course, there are more AND international politics is filmsier than then. I didn't like growing up in fear of a possible sudden nuclear attack - but I like even worse living in a time when most people just don't understand that the risk is still with us. May I point out that in 2009 there were still 23.574 active warheads http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/sep/06/nuclear-weapons-world-us-north-korea-russia-iran ready to go off anytime?

Today, of course, there are more AND international politics is filmsier than then.

I didn’t like growing up in fear of a possible sudden nuclear attack – but I like even worse living in a time when most people just don’t understand that the risk is still with us.

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610378 Joseph Francis Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610378 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_8I-N7sQQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_8I-N7sQQ

]]> By: millie fink http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610373 millie fink Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610373 Needs more hero. Needs more hero.

]]> By: James Binns http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610361 James Binns Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610361 Threads is given a further bleakness when you learn of the fate of child star Victoria O'Keefe who played Jane. Killed in a car accident aged 21.  A talent lost. Threads is given a further bleakness when you learn of the fate of child star Victoria O’Keefe who played Jane. Killed in a car accident aged 21.  A talent lost.

]]> By: tristan eldritch http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610348 tristan eldritch Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610348 In a vaguely similar vein, Alternative 3 is an absolutely fascinating piece of television:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKXatI4zTpw In a vaguely similar vein, Alternative 3 is an absolutely fascinating piece of television:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKXatI4zTpw

]]> By: Teirhan http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610340 Teirhan Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610340  That may have been one of the most depressing wikipedia summaries i've ever read.  That may have been one of the most depressing wikipedia summaries i’ve ever read.

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/the-war-game-1965-too-hor.html#comment-1610320 Romeo Vitelli Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201027#comment-1610320 On The Beach still tops the list and that came out in 1959.   It had an all-star cast too. On The Beach still tops the list and that came out in 1959.   It had an all-star cast too.

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