Threads

JupiterKid · 26-01-2012 10:52PM #1

Has anyone else here seen the 1984 UK film Threads? It's a very chilling, upsetting drama-type film made by the BBC to show what would happen in the event of a nuclear war.

It is utterly grim and harowing viewing.:( My sister told me that she and her class were made to watch it in school as teenagers in the 1980s.

Not for the faint hearted.

red menace · 26-01-2012 10:54PM

JupiterKid wrote: »

Has anyone else here seen the 1984 UK film Threads? It's a very chilling, upsetting drame film made by the BBC to show what would happen in the event of a nuclear war.

It is utterly grim and harowing viewing.:( My sister told me that she and her class were made to watch it in school as teenagers in the 1980s.

Not for the faint hearted.

Watched last year on Youtube.
Awesome film!
Well worth a watch!

JupiterKid · 26-01-2012 10:58PM

red menace wrote: »

Watched last year on Youtube.
Awesome film!
Well worth a watch!

Yes, Threads can be watched on Youtube. Apparently the film was deemed so graphic, gruesome and upsetting that it was banned from TV broadcasting in the UK for 20 years from 1985. It's a very frightening film and is guaranteed to give viewers nightmares.

I was a small child in the 1980s and back then the threat of nuclear armageddon was very real.:(

tim_holsters · 26-01-2012 11:01PM

Seen it, scary as fuk. For some light relief watch Countdown To Zero.

Think Countdown To Zero may be on 4OD, not sure though.

Underdraft · 26-01-2012 11:02PM

Also watch the "Protect and Survive" collection of public service announcements that were meant to be broadcast in the event of imminent attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1PP2_AaeRc

krudler · 26-01-2012 11:07PM

scary film, everyone should see it

cml387 · 26-01-2012 11:10PM

Oh yes,you are generally not the better of seeing that for a day or two afterwards.

The Americans did "The Day After" but somehow a nuclear holocaust doesn't seem as bad if it's sunny.

El Weirdo · 26-01-2012 11:14PM

JupiterKid wrote: »

Apparently the film was deemed so graphic, gruesome and upsetting that it was banned from TV broadcasting in the UK for 20 years from 1985.

You're thinking of The War Game.

o1s1n · 26-01-2012 11:16PM

Traumatic film (and brilliant!). Should be mandatorily shown in every school.

Ghandee · 26-01-2012 11:23PM

cml387 · 26-01-2012 11:23PM

Actually The War Game,despite it's age and the lower budget,is a very effective piece of television.

I would also suggest "By Dawn's Early Light" for those who have an interest in the nuclear war genre.

Duckworth_Luas · 26-01-2012 11:26PM

Threads was the film that launched the incredible movie career of Anne Sellors. What a filmography!

starbelgrade · 26-01-2012 11:26PM

I'm not afraid of nuclear war. I have a lead lined fridge & plan to hop into it as soon as it kicks off.

If it worked for Indiana Jones, it'll work for me.

Ghandee · 26-01-2012 11:27PM

When the wind blows is a pretty good show too.
Shows nuclear Armageddon though the eyes of two innocent pensioners. Its animated, but still a very harrowing show.

cml387 · 26-01-2012 11:30PM

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

Threads was the film that launched the incredible movie career of Anne Sellors. What a filmography!

That's so unfair.There are very few roles (at least in mainstream cinema) for a woman of her talents.

JupiterKid · 27-01-2012 12:19AM

Threads makes the US TV film about nuclear war, The Day After, made around the same time, look like a teddy bear's picnic.

It is said that Ronald Reagan requested a private screening of The Day After and the film convinced him that the arms race had to end. Whether that's true or not, I wonder did Maggie Thatcher see Threads and feel a stirring of anguish in that cold heart of hers?

If I saw a mushroom cloud in the distance I wouldn't be pissing my kaks, I'd be ****ting them.:eek::(

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-01-2012 12:22AM

Watched that some time in the early 80s on a family holiday to London. we were about a mile from Heathrow Airport. Every time a plane took off, I wet the bed.

Skid · 27-01-2012 12:23AM

Scariest thing I ever watched.

I can take most things, but Threads cost me a lot of sleep.

It makes most other Nuclear Holocaust Movies look like Disney Production.

The threat of All Out Global Nuclear war has fallen, somewhat, but I still wouldn't watch it again.

Dudess · 27-01-2012 12:28AM

Threads is amazing. It is terrifying, yes, but fascinating IMO. The Day After - people say it's not as scary, but I dunno... that ending...
If interested in this sort of stuff (I find it intriguing) check out the Cold War forum here on Boards (Soc category, then Military).

Underdraft · 27-01-2012 12:29AM

There's a doc called "Atomic Cafe" that's worth watching if you want to get a taste of the pure insanity that came with the nuclear arms race right from the end of WWII up til about the end of the 50's.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083590/

bambera · 27-01-2012 12:29AM

Watched it after someone in AH mentioned it last year. It seemed more disturbing and realistic than any of the Hollywood films.

It actually took me a while to get over it (maybe it was just the dodgy 80's clothes).

Sardonicat · 27-01-2012 12:35AM

Believe it or not, this was screened on RTE back in '84.

I begged to be allowed watch it. Saw it up to the bit where the little boy's body is found in the bird coop.
Had nightmares for weeks. Still won't watch it.

Dravokivich · 27-01-2012 12:36AM

Have it on DVD, haven't gotten around to watching it fully yet though.

JerryHandbag · 27-01-2012 01:28AM

Probably the bleakest thing I've ever seen, but very very good.

JupiterKid · 27-01-2012 06:31AM

The UK public service announcements "Protect and Survive" that feature in the film Threads were real - they were to be broadcast if nuclear war seemed to be imminent.

They are very disturbing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXx5Y2Fr2bk

Cú Giobach · 27-01-2012 10:39AM

Excellent film, saw it when RTÉ screened it in the 80's and again on YouTube, good to see that it stood the test of time.
The War Game was mad :eek:, the memories and effects of bombing during WWII being so fresh gave the makers something real to relate to, and it came across brilliantly.
Nothing else even comes close to the excellent excellence of either of those productions.

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