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Countdown to Zero

Play trailer Poster for Countdown to Zero PG 2010 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
Countdown to Zero

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 08/10/2022
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. Go to Full Review
Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 06/24/2011
3/5
We've gone backwards rather than forwards. To watch a film such as this is to shudder all over again. Go to Full Review
Antonia Quirke Financial Times 06/24/2011
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. Go to Full Review
Sr. Rose Pacatte National Catholic Reporter 06/29/2017
The scope of Countdown to Zero is as vast as it is frightening. Go to Full Review
Roe McDermott Hot Press 03/14/2016
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. Go to Full Review
Ed Whitfield What Culture 07/06/2011
3.5/5
A whirlwind tour of human failure ... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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James B 02/24/2017 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. See more 09/30/2015 The Western World gets paranoid and hysterical over a problem it created in this interesting documentary. Plenty of negative propaganda about other countries whilst the US is passed off as a guardian of the good. Nuclear weapons were created by the west and now we fear them perhaps this is our collective punishment for inventing them in the first place. See more 09/29/2015 WOW, this was an eye opener. See more 08/03/2015 More learning for me.... wonder what the count is now? Film made in 2010.... See more 02/17/2015 Scariest show you'll see this year. Especially the parts about the false alarms, ease of making or buying fissile material, and the description of what happens within a few miles of a detonation. Didn't feel alarmist but was measured in its delivery with the contribution of so many experts and politicians from both sides of the aisle. This film is essential because we've forgotten the risks we're living with, instead focused on other (albeit often related) news. Who knew the danger was still so real? See more 01/01/2014 this movie was more likely to get a response during the cold war. there are a couple country's that might set off nukes but US and Russia aren't them. Now ones gonna take the threat of a nuke going off seriously until it happens. See more Read all reviews
Countdown to Zero

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Movie Info

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