Panic in Year Zero

Released Jul 5, 1962

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

List

67%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

63%

Audience Score

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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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

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

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 3/5

Aug 22, 2003

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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

Landon J

Down to earth film of a family's apocalyptic scenario after a nuclear attack and society's breakdown. Pretty accurate I'd say. Interesting. Acting was decent, so its worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/16/21

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

delysid d

Oh No! It's the End of the World!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/14/19

Full Review

Audience Member

A pretty decent post-apocalyptic film. Even for this type of B-movie sci-fier, it's a pretty minimalist flick, which doesn't use any mutant special effects or even a lot of blood. It relies much more in the thrills of the survival of the family, as well as human nature. And what makes this pic even more authentic is the fact that it was actually made during a period of high nuclear tensions. And director/star Ray Milland gives a good lead act. Overall, it's a surprisingly good film, and deserves more between three and three and a half stars. Recommended!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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

Marilyn Hayes

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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: Samuel Z. Arkoff, James H. Nicholson
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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