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Television Event

Play trailer Poster for Television Event Released May 30 1h 30m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 14 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
TELEVISION EVENT is an archive-based feature documentary that views the dramatic climax of the Cold War through the lens of a commercial television network, as it narrowly succeeds in producing the most watched, most controversial made-for-TV movie, THE DAY AFTER (1983).

Critics Reviews

View All (14) Critics Reviews
Alissa Wilkinson New York Times “Television Event” also shows how message-driven entertainment, which can so often be preachy and boring, can also accomplish its goals. May 30, 2025 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Variety The issue with "Television Event"... is what's not there: a shred of commentary that isn't pimping for the movie, that might provide a larger cultural context for it or even (God forbid) look a bit askance at what "The Day After" "achieved." Nov 15, 2020 Full Review Sheri Linden The Hollywood Reporter In 1983, most Americans expected a nuclear war to take place within the next 10 years. Daniels' sharp film never loses sight of that sense of urgency. Nov 11, 2020 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Fascinating, well-edited and illuminating. May 25, 2025 Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine It's highly entertaining, largely because some of the principals are still bitter with one another four decades after the fact. They're like the Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas of the TV movie world. Rated: 4/5 Oct 29, 2021 Full Review Kenneth R. Morefield 1More Film Blog Television Event argues that movies matter. That they can make a difference. Rated: 4/5 Jun 6, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C 1.5 hours of fantastic real footage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Television Event

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Cast & Crew

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Jeff Daniels

Director

Nicholas Meyer

Self

Ted Koppel

Self

Stephanie Austin

Self

Kenneth Adelman

Self

Jeff Daniels

Producer

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Television Event

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Movie Info

Synopsis TELEVISION EVENT is an archive-based feature documentary that views the dramatic climax of the Cold War through the lens of a commercial television network, as it narrowly succeeds in producing the most watched, most controversial made-for-TV movie, THE DAY AFTER (1983).
Director
Jeff Daniels
Producer
Jeff Daniels, Ozzy Inguanzo, Amanda Spain
Distributor
The Film Desk
Production Co
Impact Partners, Common Room Productions
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
Australian English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 30, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 30m