Marxist Movie Reviews: The Atomic Cafe (1982)

The Basic Plot: This a collection of 1950s and 1960s films, public service messages, instructional videos and other visual media (presented without narration) dealing with the worldwide proliferation of nuclear weapons during the Cold War

The Best Part(s): All of it

While it was far from funny at the time, Americans' concern with nuclear war with the Soviet Union led to the creation of a lot of interesting and often amusing films dealing with the subject. Here in the 21st century the population is so used to having nuclear warheads around it seems bizarre for such strange actions and reactions to danger be taking place, but the sentiments aren't that much different than how Americans felt immediately after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 2001. Fear, paranoia, and barely contained panic expresses itself the same way, with carefully detailed instructions and cartoons provided to help make things a little more bearable. This documentary is an invaluable look into a past era that, on close inspection, is not entirely different from our own.

My Rating: 10/10 ("Loved It")