Review of Threads (1985) by Allan F — 09 Feb 2010

A powerful docudrama about the effect of a global nuclear war on 1980's Sheffield. Detailing the run up to the outbreak of war, the immediate aftermath and the ongoing devestation caused to the UK. One of the most powerful sentiments of the film is the fact that the UK was not directly involved in the war between the USA and the USSR, but suffered near total devestation nonetheless. The realism of the film is particularly felt through each character changing from an ordinary human being to a despondant, savage creature, with no hope or ambition other than to survive. Unlike so many of its American counterparts, Threads does not provide the viewer with the required happy ending, we are left feeling entirely uneasy. Scenes that will stay with you for the rest of your life include the reactions of the people witnessing the first mushroom cloud over Sheffield (the respectable houswife who stands in shock whilst losing control of her bladder on the main road), the reaction of the woman with major burns and radiation poisoning, realising that all of her children have been killed, and the children eventually losing all power of language as there is no use for it anymore.

Most definately not a film to watch with the children, this will make you think twice about whether it would be best to not survive the initial nuclear blast.