This insightful documentary claims that although the US nuclear testing program began in earnest during the 1950s, subsequent governments knew what they were secretly doing in Mercury, Nevada was dangerous all along. The most alarming part of the story is that a total of eight presidential administrations from 1951 to 1992 knowingly lied, assuring citizens living across four states (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, California) they would be kept safe. For bringing this subject into clear view, this film is an essential testament... a cautionary tale about how a government can fail to protect its own people.
5 Reviews
compelling documentary
sndybeech6 October 2023
The film introduces us to some fascinating characters who've been pushed into activism by circumstances, i.e. The shameful and secret atomic bomb testing in Nevada, over 900 tests!!! The people who lived in the are and downwind were not warned nor taken care of. The tests poisoned the water, air and the people living there. The suffering of these people is terrible and the compensation minimal.
The interviews are informative and moving. The interviewers obviously developed excellent rapport with them to receive such heartfelt and honest testimony. The vintage film clips and stills are quite wonderful too. There is a lot of information but the best part is the people and their stories.
It's a story all Americans should see.
The interviews are informative and moving. The interviewers obviously developed excellent rapport with them to receive such heartfelt and honest testimony. The vintage film clips and stills are quite wonderful too. There is a lot of information but the best part is the people and their stories.
It's a story all Americans should see.
Wonderfully Educational
foreverirish-4534514 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
So much information in this film! If our past has taught us anything, it's to pay attention to what's going on around us and not to repeat past mistakes. This blares the fact that that's not going on! And how selfish can we, and our government, be for looking only to war as our people are becoming ill and even dying. Kudos to Michael Douglas for staying on top of this after making "The China Syndrome" This is truly a documentary with a lot of heart! I'm so thankful that it was made because where else would we hear about it? A must see as we look at our health and safety! The truth is we're all downwind.
Could have been made a lot better - lacks focus
james_fisk-4641830 September 2023
I heard about this doc because I follow Matthew Modine on Social media. Apparently he is a Social Media "influencer" for this feature documentary that attempts to look at the fallout from more than 900 bomb tests conducted in Nevada.
People that are 'downwind' from the tests are potentially affected by the radiation from these tests and nuclear testing is bad are sort of the main points this doc tries to make which I could have just said myself without watching this 90 plus minutes of fairly bland long winded interviews that fail to make any convincing arguments or new insights. No real scientific evidence either, just a bunch of people complaining and drawing inferences.
The doc seems to lack a proper direction and the writing or I guess the editing is just half baked - I am not sure how doc writing works, maybe it is more the editing .
It appears that the filmmakers think they could ride on the importance of Nuclear Testing in a post "Oppenheimer" world and ride on the influence of some old celebs in the film who are vaguely connected to Nuclear tests.
The music is pretty cool and it makes you feel like you are watching something real, perhaps temporarily distracting you from the lack of focus in this 90 plus minute.
I liked some of the shots too and the old archives are always nice to watch but in the end this seems half baked and lacking in direction, vision or any real argument.
Go watch "The Day After Trinity" or the PBS Downwind doc which do a better job if this topic interests you.
People that are 'downwind' from the tests are potentially affected by the radiation from these tests and nuclear testing is bad are sort of the main points this doc tries to make which I could have just said myself without watching this 90 plus minutes of fairly bland long winded interviews that fail to make any convincing arguments or new insights. No real scientific evidence either, just a bunch of people complaining and drawing inferences.
The doc seems to lack a proper direction and the writing or I guess the editing is just half baked - I am not sure how doc writing works, maybe it is more the editing .
It appears that the filmmakers think they could ride on the importance of Nuclear Testing in a post "Oppenheimer" world and ride on the influence of some old celebs in the film who are vaguely connected to Nuclear tests.
The music is pretty cool and it makes you feel like you are watching something real, perhaps temporarily distracting you from the lack of focus in this 90 plus minute.
I liked some of the shots too and the old archives are always nice to watch but in the end this seems half baked and lacking in direction, vision or any real argument.
Go watch "The Day After Trinity" or the PBS Downwind doc which do a better job if this topic interests you.
Not what I was expecting
richardrc-1859627 January 2024
The film isn't bad. But it's not what you may think. One thing I disliked was they should have steered clear of showing the professor (aren't they always college instructors sigh) far left commie sign. We aren't all in this together. Another, was the crazy Shoshone guy. He was ranting and raving. But no evidence did he provide. Also, why was Lewis black in this?
Speaking of evidence, where was it to back up the claims? I 100% agree that the soil, water, food, all of it, has been contaminated from radioactive material. But I need proof. No one went out and did soil samples or used a Geiger counter or anything during this. Just bizarre. The whole doc is about downwind radiation affecting those in the area. Wouldn't you want to prove that by sampling data in that area? Also, wouldn't you try and get information in regards to cancer and sickness rates in the area over the past 50 years? Like provide some actual scientific data? Not just that poor ladies brief family history (which was sad).
Idk it's a topic that needs to be researched and looked into more but I imagine the fed gubmint and those in charge don't want it to be looked into just like they don't want you to know about cancer mutagens added to vaccines back in the 70s-80s that completely affected most of the US population. Also, the aids virus was man made. Did you know any of that? Nope you didn't and that's exactly how they want it.
Speaking of evidence, where was it to back up the claims? I 100% agree that the soil, water, food, all of it, has been contaminated from radioactive material. But I need proof. No one went out and did soil samples or used a Geiger counter or anything during this. Just bizarre. The whole doc is about downwind radiation affecting those in the area. Wouldn't you want to prove that by sampling data in that area? Also, wouldn't you try and get information in regards to cancer and sickness rates in the area over the past 50 years? Like provide some actual scientific data? Not just that poor ladies brief family history (which was sad).
Idk it's a topic that needs to be researched and looked into more but I imagine the fed gubmint and those in charge don't want it to be looked into just like they don't want you to know about cancer mutagens added to vaccines back in the 70s-80s that completely affected most of the US population. Also, the aids virus was man made. Did you know any of that? Nope you didn't and that's exactly how they want it.
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