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The Atomic Cafe (1982)
Directors: Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty
Cast: Paul Tibbets, Harry S. Truman, W.H.P. Blandy
Genre: Documentary, History
Directors: Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty
Cast: Paul Tibbets, Harry S. Truman, W.H.P. Blandy
Genre: Documentary, History
"Disturbing collection of 1940s and 1950s United States government issued propaganda films designed to reassure Americans that the atomic bomb was not a threat to their safety."
I did not howl with laughter, I don't know how anyone could after seeing this odd and true documentary film about America's 'atomic era'. The film wasn't funny, but it sure in the hell was horrifying.
The film is composed of archival footage without narration and without reenactments. It's all unfiltered and raw. It starts with some gruesome scenes of the aftermath of Hiroshima. If you've seen the movie Hiroshima Mon Amour (1952) then you probably seen some of it.
But the most horrific thing in the movie for me, was the recounting of how accused Soviet spy Ethel Rosenberg died in the electric chair. It was archival footage of one of the actual witnesses who described what he witnessed during her execution. And what she went through during the electrocution wasn't pretty, as it was a botched job. Just the fact that this tough looking guy was noticeably shaking as he talked about what he had just seen, gave me goose bumps.
Probably the best thing for me was the history lesson that comes from watching the time line of the atomic era events...Now, I know the impetus for The House Un-American Activities Committee hearings.
I'd call this a must see.
The film is composed of archival footage without narration and without reenactments. It's all unfiltered and raw. It starts with some gruesome scenes of the aftermath of Hiroshima. If you've seen the movie Hiroshima Mon Amour (1952) then you probably seen some of it.
But the most horrific thing in the movie for me, was the recounting of how accused Soviet spy Ethel Rosenberg died in the electric chair. It was archival footage of one of the actual witnesses who described what he witnessed during her execution. And what she went through during the electrocution wasn't pretty, as it was a botched job. Just the fact that this tough looking guy was noticeably shaking as he talked about what he had just seen, gave me goose bumps.
Probably the best thing for me was the history lesson that comes from watching the time line of the atomic era events...Now, I know the impetus for The House Un-American Activities Committee hearings.
I'd call this a must see.