Panic in Year Zero

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Panic in Year Zero

1962

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

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10 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

As the Baldwin family heads on vacation, their hometown of Los Angeles falls victim to a nuclear attack. Harry (Ray Milland), his wife, Ann (Jean Hagen), and their two teens head to their fishing retreat in the mountains, hoping to regroup and get more information. But they can't escape the frantic and irrational citizens, most of whom are dangerously deranged. Harry tries to stay calm during the nuclear-inspired end of days, but it's tempting to follow the masses' frenzied behavior.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

‘…not exactly a first-person-shooter survivalist game, although Ray Milland looks quite comfortable with a shotgun in his hands…Milland actually makes something of Baldwin, clinging onto morals rather than politics, but prepared to act like a savage...'

Rated: 4/5

Nov 22, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

[UPDATED 2024 REVIEW] A solid "B" flick, and its depiction of humanity post-apocalypse is startling in its harshness.

Rated: 3/4

May 7, 2016

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Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

Mais um fruto da parania coletiva gerada pela Guerra Fria, o filme conta com algumas boas idias, mas esquemtico demais para aproveit-las a contento.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 4, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 8, 2005

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Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

Rated: 3/5

Jun 19, 2004

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 4/5

May 14, 2004

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robert b

Still holding up quite well. Entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

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Will G

Ray milland, action hero! And a good one. Low budget but punches well above it's weight. You don't need to spend millions to make a taut little actioner.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

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Xian C.

This is a good period piece illustrating how ordinary people might have responded to a nuclear attack. They are moral but on the offensive to stay safe. Worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

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Cody W

Academically I must acknowledge that its's an interesting product of the time and a strong example of the push for nuclear family and the push for masculenity. Personally, I find it to be a very dull male power fantasy. Harry is always correct and despite being an average guy, acts with military calm resourcefulness. It's incredibly annoying how correct he is about everything and how weak and hysterically the women are portrayed. Certainly not bad but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Aldo G

Roger Corman said that technicians complained to him that director Ray Milland was overwhelmed by both the directing and lead acting duties. But, overall, the results on this low-budget film about how a nuclear family reacts during and after a hydrogen bomb attack are admirable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/26/24

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David W

A surprisingly effective depiction of how an average family in the 60's might react in the immediate aftermath of a nuclear strike on America. Ray Milland is excellent as always and a young Frankie Avalon gives one of his better performances. Nothing too gritty along say the lines of the much later Threads etc but still a memorable movie for its time. The very definition of a cult movie which sets out an early blueprint and clear set of 'rules' on how best to survive and not be caught unaware by your own naivety..

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/24

Full Review

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Ray Milland

Director

Ray Milland

Harry Baldwin

Jean Hagen

Ann Baldwin

Frankie Avalon

Rick Baldwin

Mary Mitchel

Karen Baldwin

Joan Freeman

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Synopsis

As the Baldwin family heads on vacation, their hometown of Los Angeles falls victim to a nuclear attack. Harry (Ray Milland), his wife, Ann (Jean Hagen), and their two teens head to their fishing retreat in the mountains, hoping to regroup and get more information. But they can't escape the frantic and irrational citizens, most of whom are dangerously deranged. Harry tries to stay calm during the nuclear-inspired end of days, but it's tempting to follow the masses' frenzied behavior.

Director: Ray Milland
Producer: Lou Rusoff
Screenwriter: Jay Simms
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 5, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 28, 2017
Runtime: 1h 35m

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