Nuclear Rescue 911: Broken Arrows & Incidents (2000)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Peter Kuran
Narrated by Adam West
Music by William Stromberg

Features:

• Biographies of cast and crew
  
• Slide show
  
• Behind the scenes: Time-lapse construction of miniature, production notes slide show, original 11-minute short, Nuclear 911 trailer, David Stumpf on Titan II explosion
  
• Nuclear aspects of SAC delivery
  
• Atomic trailers
  
• "Nuclear Safety in the Air Force"
  
• Play soundtrack
  

Rating: NR, suitable for 13+

Anamorphic: No.

My Advice: Rent it if you're a SAC hobbyist or curious about nukes.

Fascinated by the Cold War or nuclear armaments? A fan of conspiracy theories or general rescues? Then you’ll surely love Nuclear Rescue 911. This documentary begins with a look at "broken arrows"--the term used for unexplainable nuclear accidents--and then covers the history of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the many problems with the B-52, and other little-known nuclear stories. From the farmlands of South Carolina to Damascus, Arkansas, accidents seem to happen with chilling ease.

This docu is a good blend of in-person interviews, recycled stock footage, and new film--much of which is actually old, but only recently declassified. The visuals don’t jump around confusedly as many modern documentaries like to do, but does manage to keep moving. Everyone in Generation X grew up with nearly constant images of mushroom clouds--so you'd think this stuff would be old hat--but still it’s enough to terrify and move viewers. Whether you want to know about what the government is doing to protect people from random accidents or you’re fascinated by people whose job it is to wade bravely into nuclear accident zones to recover information and possible survivors, then you have the right DVD for the job.

The special features are nice and hefty. There is a soundtrack option that allows viewers to access any of the music from the documentary, all original. There are also biographies of key personnel: composer William Stromberg, narrator Adam West, director Peter Kuran, and the knowledgeable David Jackson. One fun addition is a fifteen-minute featurette on nuclear safety in the U.S. Air Force with its readily identifiable military publications “look.” There are also several slide shows, one of broken arrow documents, a behind the scenes featurette with several sections, and a section of SAC information films, such as “A Safe Route for You.” The “Atomic Trailers” section shows trailers from Goldhil’s other nuclear-related titles, some narrated by William Shatner. All that’s missing is the 1950s military film “Duck and Cover,” and the producers were probably too serious to include a film starting a singing turtle.

The music of the original soundtrack deserves a special mention. Accompanying the menus and the feature itself, the music is both dramatic and interesting. Occasionally only just shy of intrusive, William Stromberg’s talent still deserves this special attention. Check it out on the soundtrack option of the special features list.

The menus also deserve a special mention. While full-motion menus are nothing new, they’re often uninspired. The menus here are collaged, with each screen dissolving into the others with large, thematic fireballs.

Nuclear Rescue 911 is enough to chill anyone’s spine, given that there have been thirty-two nuclear weapons accidents since 1950, and the United States has “lost” six warheads--and never recovered any of them. This should be required viewing for anyone in a position of authority over nuclear weapons, as well as individuals in world governments. Maybe, just maybe, the horrors of these accidents and how easy they happen, would be enough to let caution and humanity win out over pride, fear, and greed. Then again, maybe not.