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Threads (the 1984 movie, not Meta's answer to X.)

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JME Studios

By JME Studios, 1728576561

The dystopian movie Threads, based on life shortly before and after a nuclear war hits Britain, had only its 4th television broadcast in the UK last night since its initial airing on September 23, 1984.

Its airing on BBC Four means it's now on the BBC iPlayer for the next 11 months.

Although the SFX were primitive even by 1984 standards, as it was made on a shoestring budget, it's still pretty scary.  This was the first time I'd seen it in "broadcast" quality so to speak (despite being shot on film in 1984, the transfer is not HD) and I did nearly throw up during THAT amputation scene.

Well worth a watch if haven't seen it before and you have the stomach.

Wise Old Dragon said, 1728589567

First watched it at my Grandads when I stayed with him as my Gran was in hospital.

In the dark on a black and white TV, scared me shitless.  His only comment was "That will never happen".

Thankfully it didn't, yet.

I am an older Gen X, every other generation after us, should watch it and make sure it never happens 

Edited by Wise Old Dragon

PaulSH said, 1728591326

I've watched it quite a few times and found it very thought provoking, if not a little scary. Its always 'what if'...

Another couple of series I enjoyed were The Last Train (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195471/) and Survivors (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072572/)

John 75 said, 1728592107

Watched it this morning on Youtube. 

Very scary and ironic given the situation with Iran. 

JME Studios said, 1728604805

John 75 I can't see it on YT, but I'm guessing the fact the iPlayer now has it may play a part and you've used a VPN; I say this as the UK is the only territory where you can't watch the clean, commentary free feed of the Eurovision Song Contest which the EBU host on YT, done so British viewers are forced to view the live broadcast via the BBC's ecosystems - which had an interesting knock on effect during the BBC's hosting of the shows last year, where visiting fans had no legal way to watch the shows back until they went home!

Edited by JME Studios

Ron Morris aka The Butterfly Collector said, 1728632779

First saw it on TV at the time of broadcast and bought the VHS shortly afterwards. Scary at the time and perhaps more so now.

Not much is said in the story about the impact of the electro magnetic pulse, which disables radio based communications - perhaps because we weren't quite so dependant on such things back then. Have one of those tomorrow and it's hard to imagine the "silence" that would ensue...

It's worth noting that a complete remaster was done a few years ago and it's available on BluRay if you want to pay the price.


Starglider Photography said, 1728635038

It was a must have blu Ray purchase when it was released on the format.

Brutal film.

Gilly T said, 1728635103

Watched it the other night. Good film!

JMPIX said, 1728637954

I tried re-watching it recently  but turned it off it was too bleak for my mindset at that time. But it's certainly hard-hitting and better than the American version that followed (The After).

Andrew Clarke said, 1728638023

It's a happy story if you don't like Sheffield. Silver lining and all that.

JME Studios said, 1728863523

Starglider Photography is that a proper HD transfer? Like I say it's clearly been shot on film, and even if it was 16mm I'd have thought an HD transfer was possible? The version BBC Four transmitted last week was definitely still SD.

Unless it was transferred to videotape in the editing process, in which case you'd definitely be stuck with SD.

Starglider Photography said, 1728865995

JME Studios from the case:

This 2-disc set presents the original film remastered in 2K from the original BBC CRI 16mm prints. It is available in HD on Blu-Ray for the very first time in the UK, and includes the world premiere of the director-approved widescreen edition.

Chantastic said, 1728882742

Why is the BBC airing it again now? Cant help but feel its conditioning the "great unwashed" to prepare for de-escalation in Russo Ukraine war otherwise the potential of it happening of further escalation might lead.

JME Studios said, 1728885953

Chantastic said

Why is the BBC airing it again now? Cant help but feel its conditioning the "great unwashed" to prepare for de-escalation in Russo Ukraine war otherwise the potential of it happening of further escalation might lead.

40th anniversary at a guess.

Stu H said, 1728889606

Maybe there's a whole generation that's not lived with the threat of all out nuclear overkill, and the Beeb think that this generation has it too easy?

I'd probably go with 40th anniversary.

JME Studios said, 1728890216

Starglider Photography Wide-screen? I assume, though, that's been cropped?

I assumed it'd been shot on 16mm; BBC and ITV guidelines don't regard 16mm as HD, which is why they probably haven't bothered using this newer transfer. I imagine it's been loaded in straight off tape.

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