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Television Event

"To win the ratings war, they must end the Cold War"

An archive-based feature documentary viewing the dramatic climax of the Cold War through the lens of the ABC network, as it narrowly succeeds in producing the most watched, most controversial made-for-TV movie, THE DAY AFTER (1983). With irreverent humor and sobering apocalyptic vision, this film reveals how a commercial broadcaster seized a moment of unprecedented television viewership, made an emotional connection with an audience of over 100 million and forced an urgent conversation with the US President on how to collectively confront and resolve the most pressing issue of the time - nuclear proliferation.

Top Cast

  • Nicholas Meyer

    Nicholas Meyer

    Self

  • Robert Papazian

    Robert Papazian

    Self

  • Edward Hume

    Edward Hume

    Self

  • Brandon Stoddard

    Brandon Stoddard

    Self

  • Stephanie Austin

    Stephanie Austin

    Self

  • Stu Samuels

    Stu Samuels

    Self

  • Ellen Anthony

    Ellen Anthony

    Self

  • Ted Koppel

    Ted Koppel

    Self

  • Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan

    Self (archive footage)

Overview

An archive-based feature documentary viewing the dramatic climax of the Cold War through the lens of the ABC network, as it narrowly succeeds in producing the most watched, most controversial made-for-TV movie, THE DAY AFTER (1983). With irreverent humor and sobering apocalyptic vision, this film reveals how a commercial broadcaster seized a moment of unprecedented television viewership, made an emotional connection with an audience of over 100 million and forced an urgent conversation with the US President on how to collectively confront and resolve the most pressing issue of the time - nuclear proliferation.

Rating

7.0 / 10
2 Reviews
0 Popular

Trailers & Clips

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