Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes

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Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes

2022

1h 35m

Documentary

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100%

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10 Reviews

86%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Thirty-six years after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Soviet Ukraine, newly uncovered archival footage and recorded interviews with those who were present paint an emotional and gripping portrait of the extent and gravity of the disaster and the lengths to which the Soviet government went to cover up the incident, including the soldiers sent in to “liquidate” the damage. CHERNOBYL: THE LOST TAPES is the full, unvarnished true story of what happened in one of the least understood tragedies of the twentieth century.

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

A vivid portrait of the human cost for malfeasance and authoritarianism.

Jun 24, 2022

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

It’s less concerned with the tapes themselves than with the act of bearing witness.

Jun 23, 2022

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

The Lost Tapes is a chronicle of folly, which makes it perversely fascinating and, one hopes, cautionary.

Jun 22, 2022

Full Review

Nuha Hassan

Nuha Hassan

The documentary begins with footage of Chernobyl residents living peacefully in their neighbourhoods, children playing in the background and a doctor announcing a new maternity ward due to the increased birth rates and the arrival of new families.

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

... the visual materials come from archives discovered in the former Soviet Union, much of it previously unseen, while the audio elements are a combination of archival materials from the time of the explosion and more recent interviews.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 8, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

It’s not a good look for those now arguing that nuclear power is our best means to circumvent climate change.

Jun 28, 2022

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Jason B

Incredible archival footage of a catastrophic human event in a society run into the ground by its own inability to move forward make for one of the best documentaries I've seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/24

Full Review

Avery H

The narration as if I was blind. "A man lifts a welding mask". "The highway leads to distant buildings". I dont need everything Im watching described. I can see. Worst narration ever.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/23

Full Review

Caroline M

Chernobyl The Lost Tapes is essential but difficult viewing. Understanding how this nuclear accident happened and the aftermath is a lesson to all humanity. Seeing the real life personalities of the ‘liquidators' on film whilst knowing they were sacrificing their lives for others was moving. Also to understand why Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, the passion and anger started with Chernobyl and the subsequent lies and cover up.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/23

Full Review

Stephen S

If you have not seen this movie you are missing out! It's a great movie. Love the old footage. Go watch it and get off the internet! You are hogging my bandwith.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

jayski a

After seeing the Mimi Series in 2019, which was great and had me doing much research, finding this on demand on HBO was a surprise. I hadn't heard of the documentary. It was chilling to say the least. The folks talking and hearing the truth was something. Some of the footage just made to stop and stare.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

l.d. b

I just finished watching Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes, and I can't explain why this is so important to watch this documentary. It is just that it is. I will point out that this will not be easy to watch. Some of what you are going to see are the stuff of nightmares. I also feel that watching it will give a person an idea of what happens when things go wrong at all levels of government.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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James Jones

Director

Darren Kemp

Executive Producer

Serhiy Solodko

Producer

Sasha Odynova

Producer

James Jones

Producer

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Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Thirty-six years after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Soviet Ukraine, newly uncovered archival footage and recorded interviews with those who were present paint an emotional and gripping portrait of the extent and gravity of the disaster and the lengths to which the Soviet government went to cover up the incident, including the soldiers sent in to “liquidate” the damage. CHERNOBYL: THE LOST TAPES is the full, unvarnished true story of what happened in one of the least understood tragedies of the twentieth century.

Director: James Jones
Producer: Serhiy Solodko, Sasha Odynova, James Jones
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2022
Runtime: 1h 35m