Countdown to Zero

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Countdown to Zero

PG,

2010,

1h 30m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

80%

84 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Although the Cold War is behind us, the threat of nuclear disaster remains very real. Director Lucy Walker discusses the invention of the atomic bomb and brings the story into the present day, examining the possibility of nuclear calamity under the categories of "Madness," "Accident" and "Miscalculation." With narration by Gary Oldman, the film includes a hypothetical sequence of a nuclear explosion in New York City's Times Square, timed to coincide with the New Year's Eve countdown.

Critics Consensus

Countdown to Zero is more genuinely frightening than many horror movies -- and more soberly enlightening than the average documentary.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Aug 10, 2022

This documentary from producer Lawrence Bender (An Inconvenient Truth) attempts to shake up the equation, portraying a future attack as probable yet making the gradual elimination of weapons-grade material seem achievable.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Jun 24, 2011

3/5

We've gone backwards rather than forwards. To watch a film such as this is to shudder all over again.

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Antonia Quirke

Financial Times

Jun 24, 2011

3/5

The film's most sobering fact: any world leader has a maximum of 10 seconds to decide to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.

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Sr. Rose Pacatte

National Catholic Reporter

Jun 29, 2017

The scope of Countdown to Zero is as vast as it is frightening.

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Roe McDermott

Hot Press

Mar 14, 2016

2/5

Unfortunately Walker's arguments come wrapped in layers of stars and stripes, with America's 'Us .v. Them' mentality seeping from every shot.

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Ed Whitfield

What Culture

Jul 6, 2011

3.5/5

A whirlwind tour of human failure ...

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Albus L

Feb 24, 2017

An interesting documentary. This will make you lose some sleep. I had no idea that nuclear weapons were held by so many countries. This is worth a watch.

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Lucy Walker

Director

Gary Oldman

Narrator

Lawrence Bender

Producer

Bruce Blair

Executive Producer

Matt Brown

Executive Producer

Jeff Skoll

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Although the Cold War is behind us, the threat of nuclear disaster remains very real. Director Lucy Walker discusses the invention of the atomic bomb and brings the story into the present day, examining the possibility of nuclear calamity under the categories of "Madness," "Accident" and "Miscalculation." With narration by Gary Oldman, the film includes a hypothetical sequence of a nuclear explosion in New York City's Times Square, timed to coincide with the New Year's Eve countdown.

Director: Lucy Walker
Producer: Lawrence Bender
Screenwriter: Lucy Walker
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Lawrence Bender Productions, Participant Media
Rating: PG (Thematic Material|Incidental Smoking|Images of Destruction)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $271.3K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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