IMDb RATING
7.6/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
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.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.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.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
Photos
Paul Tibbets
- Self
- (archive footage)
Harry S. Truman
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as President Harry S Truman)
W.H.P. Blandy
- Self - Commander of the Bikini Test
- (archive footage)
- (as Vice Admiral W.H.P. Blandy)
Brien McMahon
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Sen. Brian McMahon)
Lloyd Bentsen
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Rep. Lloyd Bentsen)
Owen Brewster
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Sen. Owen Brewster)
Julius Rosenberg
- Self
- (archive footage)
Ethel Rosenberg
- Self
- (archive footage)
Val Peterson
- Self - Director of Civil Defense
- (archive footage)
- (as Gov. Val Peterson)
Lyndon B. Johnson
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson)
Lewis Strauss
- Self - Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
- (archive footage)
- (as Lewis L. Strauss)
George Molan
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Cpl. George Molan)
George Portell
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Tech Sgt. George Portell)
Jerry Schneider
- Self
- (archive footage)
Sergeant Weaver
- Self
- (archive footage)
Seymour Melman
- Self - Columbia University
- (archive footage)
- (as Prof. Seymour Melman)
Mario Salvadori
- Self - Columbia University
- (archive footage)
- (as Prof. Mario Salvadori)
Nikita Khrushchev
- Self
- (archive footage)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe segment "Duck and Cover" showed how school children were reassured by "Bert the Turtle" that they would survive a nuclear bomb by simply forming a huddle together by the wall of the school-house. "The Atomic Cafe" has been attributed to raising public consciousness of the short film "Duck and Cover" and introducing it to a whole a new generation.
- Quotes
Army information film: When not close enough to be killed, the atomic bomb is one of the most beautiful sights in the world.
- SoundtracksWhen the Atom Bomb Fell
Written by Karl Victor Davis and Connecticut 'Harty' Taylor
Performed by Karl and Harty
Courtesy of CBS Records, Inc.
Featured review
With no narration other than that provided by historical clips, this movie justly states how ludicrous the idea of nuclear war was, and is. The producers of this film spent years going through declassified governmental film archives to find some of the most chilling, and hilarious, footage ever taken. It also tells how the US government screwed over the Bikini Islanders, and has some fine coverage of the spoon-feeding of propaganda to the US public through the 40's and 50's.
A great movie for just a laugh, or for some interesting historical perspective on a unique time in the recent US past. I loved the clip of the guy who invented a lead-lined suit, put it on his son, and then had him try to ride a bike. Could we have possibly been this gullible just a few decades ago? Can you say "duct tape and plastic sheeting"?
Duck and cover everyone!
A great movie for just a laugh, or for some interesting historical perspective on a unique time in the recent US past. I loved the clip of the guy who invented a lead-lined suit, put it on his son, and then had him try to ride a bike. Could we have possibly been this gullible just a few decades ago? Can you say "duct tape and plastic sheeting"?
Duck and cover everyone!
- How long is The Atomic Cafe?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Atomic Cafe
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $300,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $22,293
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,098
- Aug 5, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $22,293
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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