Rousse Rant: "Threads"

In honor of the current geopolitical atmosphere created by US plans to build a missile shield and Russia's threat to re target European cities, The Manic Mainer takes you back in time to 1984 for the BBC nuclear apocalypse flick Threads.

"THREADS"
Directed by Mick Jackson
First aired in 1984

THE BASICS
It's nearing wedding day for Ruth Beckett and Jimmy Kemp, two youngsters in England's fourth largest city, Sheffield. News of a Soviet invasion of Iran and American complaints are at first mere background noise to the impeding ceremony. However, that quickly changes when the UK is dragged into the fighting when the US counter invades. Clashes of increasing intensity break out first across the Persian Gulf, ultimately spreading to the NATO/Warsaw Pact curtain. As military conflict between the two superpowers and their allies continue, the British government begins to air the famous "Protect and Survive" broadcasts nonstop, forcing Ruth and Jimmy to accept the impossible is happening. Reneging on their real life promise, the Soviets launch tactical missiles (including at a target just outside of Sheffield), prompting NATO respond. Ultimately, the exchanges come to full scale ICBM attacks, resulting in a total of 3000 megatons across the planet, plunging Earth into a nuclear winter. Multiple warheads annihilate Sheffield itself. Alone and shell shocked, sole cast survivor Ruth begins to wonder if the others weren't the lucky ones...

THE BAD
(It's a friggin' nuclear war film, it's not 'good'!)
The background and realities glimpsed at in Threads are from a 1980 British study called "Operation Square Leg," wherein Britain was blasted by 131 ICBMS. Experts such as Carl Sagan were also called in to help depict the realities of the aftermath following such an attack.

It's not pretty, guys.

Threads is unflinching in its depiction of the end of the world. Death, decay, and destruction are everywhere. Burned, rat-eaten bodies are litter the remains of streets and blocks. People are shot dead for looting. Fire and rubble are the norm now. Food is rationed only to those who can work. All of this truly serves its purpose: the message "THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN SURVIVE (MR. REAGAN)." It's very hard, in my mind, to think of a proponent of nuclear weapons as anything but sadistic if they watch this and their mind isn't changed.

THE ACTUALLY BAD
I really can't say anything here. Perhaps my only complaint is that with everyone but Ruth wiped out, the movie lost some of its expanse. But, any other complaint (probably including that one) I have is because of the subject matter and its main argument of the horror of nuclear war's after effects.

THE VERDICT
I confess I've paused while writing this part. I've tried to be eloquent yet not preachy, but... screw it.

Do I think nuclear war is still possible?

Yes. Not just because I have no faith in the human race, but it can be seen how easily it can get out of hand. Lest we forget a Norwegian satellite launch in 1995 made some Russians think the United States was attacking, and only Yeltsin's "wait and see" kept The Finger of The Button.

I've seen all the big nuke movies. This, The Day After, Miracle Mile, The War Game, etc. But, none have left me as "..." as Threads. And, I think that's why this film is so good in its horror.

I think back to when this was made, 1984. A year or so before I was born. My parents had lived their entire lives looking upwards to see if ICBMs were arcing overhead. For the most part, my baby sister and I were spared this. My dreaded cataclysms are high school, the debt I'm in from Fordham and Susquehanna, and other petty things. I've asked them how it felt to be living under Damocles' nuclear sword, and they both quickly rebuff or change the subject. That in itself answers the question.

The news of Russia threatening to re target Europe, and the nuclear weapon-obsessed American administration's refusal to cancel the missile shield plans makes me recall "Star Wars" and wonder if the impossible can truly become possible. I'm not fretting, but I'm certainly keeping in mind how it could still happen. That's why Threads is so frightening: twenty plus years later, it's still believable and realistic.

Think about it... what if there's another mistaken ID? What if someone sets of a city buster in an American city, especially with THESE guys still in power? What if Pakistan is taken over by religious fundies? It CAN happen. Never forget that. But, at the same time, do not become obsessed over it. I would like to think even the most militant and nutcase leaders would know the consequences of attacking another nuclear country with their own arsenal.

That... and the macabre fact I'll be living in New York City... is what helps me sleep at night.

Bush just met with Putin at G8. All he wanted to do was have a "freegasm" (what I call speeches/rants about this country not being free, that country not free enough, etc). Putin's offer of Azerbijan for the shield partially difused the crisis, but the point remains. Get your priorities straight, George.

VERDICT: A-

"WORST" SCENE: The attack on Sheffield.


BEST LINES (I hope you can see why)
"Jesus Christ, they've done it... they're doing it!" Jimmy's friend Bob upon observing a detonation at a nearby NATO facility
"...BASTARDS!!!" Bob after looking at the ruins of Sheffield.

Oh, last but not least... a poignant vid with Sting. If you don't wanna see what happens to people/mass scale devastation, stop at 3:40.