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Panic in Year Zero

Play trailer Poster for Panic in Year Zero Released Jul 5, 1962 1h 35m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 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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Panic in Year Zero

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 8, 2005 Full Review Andy Klein Los Angeles CityBeat Rated: 3/5 Jun 19, 2004 Full Review Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Rated: 4/5 May 14, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Audience Member Apparently, gender roles and patriarchy will be the one thing to survive a nuclear holocaust—though that doesn't explain the jarring jazz score and greaser gangs that muddle Milland's otherwise taut and fraught B-flick about a looming A-Day. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Good solid characters that reflect the era it was made in Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Panic in Year Zero

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Cast & Crew

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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

Marilyn Hayes

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Panic in Year Zero

Panic in Year Zero (1962) Panic in Year Zero (1962) Panic in Year Zero (1962) Panic in Year Zero (1962) View more photos

Movie Info

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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