Threads [VHS] [1984]

It has become fashionable these days to think that a nuclear conflict, whilst appalling, would likely be a contained event: either a rogue nation/terrorist group with a single weapon strike, a regional conflict, or a strictly battlefield-only exchange. However, it is sobering to remember that it is thought that the USA and Russia each are thought to have over 6,000 such weapons each, with at least 1000 being "strategic" weapons (e.g. ICBMs).Which makes this movie, filmed at the height of the cold war (and arguably its period of greatest danger) still relevant.Combining first-class "kitchen-sink" drama that the BBC is renowned for, with a scientifically and militarily accurately researched plot and screenplay, this movie answers that terrifying question: what would happen to us in an all-out nuclear war.Set in Sheffield, it charts the lives of two families through their ordinary trials and tribulations, and the local government administrators, against the backdrop of increasing US-Soviet tensions in the Middle East. The characters are very well developed and their lives credible. The sense of people almost sleepwalking through the crisis up until the point of no return, is captured well here, making the outbreak of war, and the shocking effect it has on people in general and these families in particular, all the more harrowing.And harrowing it truly is. Unflinching in its portrayal of the immediate effects of the attacks on Sheffield (which, it is made clear, are being echoed in all NATO/Warsaw Pact countries), the full range of human emotion, fear and devastation is shown. But while it is unflinching, it is not fixated in the way some of the more modern horror movies are. The use of flashed images of the carnage wreaked, interlaced with the pictures of panic and destruction are chilling, disturbing and genuinely distressing, rather than played just for the spectacular. This is the stuff of nightmares, but a necessity in a movie dealing with such a horrifying prospect.With such a script, acting and direction, the horror that unfolds is therefore all the more gut-wrenching. The panic also of the local government is also well-depicted, with first the initial confusion, then the panic at the impossibility of the task they have taken on to "keep things running", followed by the gradual despair that there are people (including their own families) for whom they can do nothing, as they are doomed to die.But the movie does not stop their. It charts at first by day, then week-by-week, month-by-month, into many years onward from the war, to chart how things develop. And the gradual descent of our country to medieval population and technology levels. The decay of society is truly harrowing, but again based on solid research. Throughout the movie, occasional spoken narrative, supplemented by text, provide the relevant facts not only about the military and human consequences, but also the political, environmental and economic consequences. The terrible effects of radiation poisoning are shared in brutal, medically-correct detail, but things get even worse with time. Without power, technology becomes useless; with widespread shortages of even the basics, and the brutal realities of a post-conflict scenario (e.g. those in high-fallout areas are doomed to die, so are left for dead) crime skyrockets and social order breaks down, with only pockets of order enforced by brutal marshal law; with a nuclear winter, crops fail and the population declines further.Throughout this we see all but one of our families all fall to the direct and indirect effects of the attack, with only one left to carry on. But her life is a living hell.I saw this when it was first released and it did give me nightmares. Seeing a replay of the attack scene just recently brought me to tears again, after so many years. I suspect few watching this for the first time would be unmoved. For sure, the special effects are not up to modern day CGI standards, but frankly there are only a couple of scenes (mainly the detonations) that suffer from this. No, the real effects - those on the people - are all raw and laid bare and do not need such techniques.Probably the only movie to have come close to this is 2009's "The Road", but even that movie, as chilling and emotionally wrenching as it is, really does not come close to the stark human horror of "Threads".Finally, a word about this edition. To be honest I was not expecting much in terms of picture quality, with the original being standard PAL output. However I was pleasantly surprised: whilst clearly not UHD, the 2K remastering has done much to bring this movie to an acceptable viewing level. Combined with my TV's UHD upscaling, tbe quality was acceptable and allowed me to focus on the movie.In short, a dramatic and documentary masterpiece, and a must-see.

I remember watching the first broadcast in the mid 80s and it was the big talking point at work the next day, in fact nothing else was any subject for discussion. Some reviews state that it is 'dated', in what way? Old type TVs, the fashions, the cars, milk floats etc. are mentioned. Bloody hell, give me a break. Those observations are irrelevant, stupid and trivial to say the least and are not worthy any further mention. Total nuclear destruction cant date and it never will. The threat is always there even though the major super-powers are unlikely to go down that path any time soon (but never say never), but other lesser powers and extreme organizations might gain access to these weapons so God help us if they ever use them. There are enough Nuclear devices still in existence to wipe out the world several times over by the western and eastern powers. The threat has not gone away. Politics has no place in this film so it does not go in to the rights or wrongs of either side because no one can ever be right in making a nuclear first strike against their opponent. I was a serviceman in the 70s and 80s and myself and others like me were briefed on what we were expected to do if it came to a situation like is depicted in this film. The film is quite accurate in that respect. It frightens me to this day. This film is about ordinary people who have no control over the events and how they cope if they survive the initial attacks (they don't really- they merely try to survive). The cast were largely unknown actors give credibility and well acted, no big stars in this, unlike the US version 'The Day After'. Threads is the better film by a mile. Watch Threads to the end, if you find it hard it should be. Do you think you would be lucky if you survived the original attack and lived on? I think the lucky ones would be those that immediately died. Over 30 years later, Threads remains relevant, and whilst nuclear weapons exist then it always will.

When first aired in 1984, this film caused widespread comment! It's American equivalent, The Day After, does not go as far into the depth of a nuclear attack as Threads does. The latter is far more hard hitting. Threads covers decades after the attack. This is a no holds barred, go for the throat drama, with a starring role by Rees Dinsdale, a then relatively unknown actor. This special edition features digitally enhancement but also some great interviews with those who were intimately involved in the writing and production of this modern classic. I think that this is up there with the original "All Quiet On The Western Front"

I do not have the time nor the words to appropriately write a full review for this film. It was recommended to me by a friend to view, with the warning that it was no fairytale and was deeply-depressing at times. Fortunately, I'm not easy to upset, but I found the film incredibly informative and deeply troubling. It's not one to watch with the family, but certainly an essential film for those interested in 'what-ifs' and in better understanding the fear of those who had the misfortune to live through the worst of the Cold War.