Review of Countdown to Zero (2010) by Gavin S — 13 May 2011

Rather frightening documentary about nuclear weapons, who has them, who can make them, how easy it is to make them, and so on. It also chronicles the moments in the Cold War where strikes were nearly launched, as well as informing me that of all people, it was Boris Yeltsin who saved the world from Nuclear Apocalypse on one of the few nights he wasn't drunk. (Thanks big guy, much appreciated). Also features a few interviews with former world leaders such as Carter, Blair, Gorbachev, De Klerk and Musharraf, as well as Robert McNamara & James Baker. Chilling recollections of how close it came to war, and how 20 years after the Berlin Wall has come down, the US still has most of their arsenal on hair trigger ready to go. Not completely new info, but a startling reminder of what's still there, as well as the worries for the modern day of how easy it could be for terrorist groups to build and let off a bomb and the actual damage it would do. Archival footage of Robert Oppenheimer adds to the impact and you can see just how much impact the bombing of Japan had on him from the interview footage.

Not a good time watch, but important nonetheless, please check it out if you have a chance.