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White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Play trailer Poster for White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 2007 1h 25m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Using extensive interviews with survivors and archival footage, an examination reveals the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Critics Reviews

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Andrew O'Hehir Salon.com No warning can really prepare you for these images of ashen corpses, maimed survivors and apocalyptic destruction, but in an age of renewed nuclear tension, there can be no question as to their relevance. Feb 3, 2007 Full Review Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter A stirring and heart-wrenching statement of the horrible powers that mankind holds in its fist. Jan 31, 2007 Full Review Dennis Harvey Variety Film's sobering impact lets the images and witnesses' words speak for themselves. Jan 31, 2007 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat Intelligent, often poignant, and valuable for offering an oral history by those who witnessed one of the most traumatic events of the 20th century. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 12, 2007 Full Review Jeff Giles Bullz-Eye.com To say that watching this footage is harrowing would be an understatement -- and to call watching it "painful" would be a serious insult to the survivors. Rated: 4/5 Oct 6, 2007 Full Review MaryAnn Johanson Flick Filosopher [A] simple, apolitical reminder -- an act of passionate but clearheaded pleading -- that we must never forget the horrors of Japan in the summer of 1945. Aug 6, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G Hope politicians watch this to keep them from even thinking about dropping another A-bomb. This is chilling, heartbreaking & just plain sad to see what happened & could happen again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review darren m This expertly crafted masterpiece has been on HBO for some time now. Where the hell are all these hundreds of RT critics? Why haven't they seen it? Is it too uncomfortable for these precious phonies? Shame on these morons. All of them, expect the six that had the decency and courage to watch it. The film will change your life. There can be no justification for the use of atomic bombs. But I have a strong feeling that they will be used again. God help us all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/15/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm way too sensitive for this kind of stuff…. That was so heartbreaking 💔 I don't think I've ever cried so much during a movie! I couldn't imagine going through what those kids went through, even as an adult. This movie is a must see for anyone that has ever thought nuclear/atomic force is the answer to war…..it has changed my opinion completely. #endthenukes Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member The quintessential documentary on the WW2 atomic bombings as told by those who lived it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Let no human forget the destruction of these two cities. World leaders should watch this every year as a requirement. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member I don't know what plaintif cry could make it clearer that all nukes must be eliminated AND for total nuclear disarmament to succeed general disarmament & demilitarization of the whole planet is necessary. It is only in steeping ourselves in films & propaganda like this that we can apreciate the practical effect on the human condition that such weapons of mass destruction have after their use even after 70 years of these tiny examples of our presesent arsenal let alone were to be used now. Now, we'd all be exterminated in the most agonizing way achievable were a global nuclear war to happen. The only way not not to all horribly die is to do away with nations & total & mutually disarm now before the enivitable result of not doing so engulfs us. In other words; we're doomed. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Using extensive interviews with survivors and archival footage, an examination reveals the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Director
Steven Okazaki
Producer
Steven Okazaki
Screenwriter
Steven Okazaki
Production Co
HBO Documentary Films, Farallon Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2016
Runtime
1h 25m
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