Review of The Atomic Cafe (1982) by Nate B — 05 Feb 2009

Very interesting documentary on the coming of the Atomic Bomb and the Cold War. There is no narrator or analysis, simply primary sources dealing with the Atomic age, such as government information films, newsreels, public service films, and interviews with people.

It reflects the paranoia that was spreading across the nation during the Cold War, and shows that American propaganda could be just as ridiculous as Soviet propaganda. But it also helps us to understand better how many people felt during this time period.

Obviously many of the clips used in this film are exaggerated, and some things weren't taken seriously enough (radiation poisoning, etc), but it still gives a sense of how people thought at the time.

Highly recommend it.