This ‘horrific’ film shocked audiences when it premiered on BBC2 in 1984 before vanishing for decades.
Threads is a harrowing apocalyptic war drama that explores the grim aftermath of a nuclear attack on Britain. The “realistic” portrayal of its medical, economic, and environmental fallout stunned viewers, who find the fiction eerily close to potential reality now more than ever.
Penned by Barry Hines and helmed by Mick Jackson, this war flick lays bare the heartbreak of surviving families in Sheffield following a Soviet nuclear onslaught. The depicted catastrophic effects show a UK ravaged, with millions dead or injured in the wake of the disaster.
One fan said: “I first saw this when it came out – the public were often still fairly innocent about the bomb, and of course the Berlin Wall still existed, a symbol of issues with Russia. 40 years and many disaster films later, all with special effects and everything, and this old TV film still hits extremely hard.”
The viewer emphasised how Threads’ attention to “normal people” renders it “absolutely horrific”. They added: “It’s hard watching, but it does what it means to do – underlines that there are no winners in nuclear war. Fantastic film which still holds its own, if extremely depressing. Bring a tissue or two.”, reports the Express.
What sets this film apart from other war flicks of its era is its focus on the ordinary folks caught in the chaos rather than glorifying combatants. “Threads” delves into the aftermath of conflict, portraying the struggle of civilians attempting to resume their normal lives amidst the ruins and having stared death in the face.
The chilling impact of “Threads” continues to resonate, earning it a reputation as a “unique” gem in British cinematic history. It even sparked the imaginations of future storytellers, such as Charlie Brooker, the mastermind behind “Black Mirror.”
Charlie Brooker reflected on his pivotal encounter with “Threads” at the tender age of 13 during an episode of “Desert Island Discs” in 2018. He said: “I remember watching Threads and not being able to process what that meant, not understanding how society kept going… While the world has changed in so many ways since Threads was first broadcast, it retains its harrowing power.”
Despite a period of prohibition, “Threads” garnered critical acclaim, securing seven BAFTA Award nominations and clinching four, including Best Single Drama and Best Design. It’s the deliberate artistic choices by the filmmakers that audiences credit for the film’s “realistic and horrifying” experience.
One review said: “It is bleak to its very final frame and is something I can understand most viewers only watch once. Very well made and a powerful message.”
Another comment read: “Though I do debate the accuracy of some of its claims, this is an important film for multiple generations to see.”
More than four decades after its release, amid escalating global tension, movie buffs are encouraging folks to watch Threads, currently available on BBC iPlayer.
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