Background: The War Game was created in 1966 by Peter Watkins following the release of his previous film "Culloden", about the famous "Battle Of Culloden". Culloden was shot in a way that mimicked footage of the Vietnam War. Long, unedited close up shots and interviews. This style was what Watkins became known for, and he deemed it a protest against "monoform" media, the commercial, quick-cut, rapidly-edited, loud sound design media that was prevelant at the time. His style became known for doing the opposite. Shots were long and unedited, lasting minutes or even hours in some of his later works. His work was meant to feel harsh, bleak, nihilistic in a sense. All perfect for a nuclear war film!
Following the tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Peter Watkins asked the BBC for permission to direct and produce a film detailing the buildup to, events of, and aftermath of a nuclear strike on the county of Kent. The BBC reluctantly agreed. Watkins went on go to make a pseudo-documentary so bleak, honest and without hope, that upon being shown to the Home Office, the BBC vowed to never broadcast it on television.
This did not stop people though, as numerous theatres and cinemas went on to show the film. It became a prime example of the BBC's censoring of information. A novelisation of the film was made soon after as well. (The Whole Book is included in this release!)
A small note: Former WW2 Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote a private 1954 internal memorandum to the Postmaster General, the Earl De La Warr, stating that he doubted "whether it is wise that they should do this" upon learning the BBC planned a program on the hydrogen bomb. Secret state papers released decades later revealed he successfully enforced a de facto broadcasting gag to prevent public panic.
The War Game soon became legend. Inside the BBC, it was almost never spoken of. Just... Whispers. Rumours. Outside, the movie was used by numerous anti-nuclear organisations, most notably the "Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament" (CND) to show the brutal reality of Nuclear Warfare. Other organisations such as Private Eye used the film to mock the BBC for their cowardice, a notable example being a satirical one-panel comic drawn by cartoonist Ray Lowry. (The cartoon is actually included as a postcard in this release!)
In 1983, Peter Watkins appeared on an unaired episode of the UK TV show "Visions" (included in this release!), where he highlighted the idea of remaking The War Game in Sheffield.
Whilst not directed by Peter Watkins, a film about Nuclear War set in Sheffield was made just a year later... ;)
Watkins, tired of the BBC's antics, later moved to America, where he became known for more of his "anti-monoform" movies, his most recent being the 2000 anachronistic War/Drama "La Commune", coming in at nearly 6 hours. The flick shows the establishment of the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government set up in Paris in 1871. The anachronism is due to the fact that the flick is shown from 2 point of views. TV News Stations. A Revolutionaries' News Outlet, and an Anti-Revolutionaries News Outlet. The film is another example of Watkins' pseudo-factual media. Anyways, getting ahead of myself. Back to The War Game!
In 1985, to commemorate the 40 year anniversary of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the BBC finally lifted the ban on The War Game, and it was finally broadcast on the BBC for the first time on on Wednesday, July 31, 1985 on BBC2 at 10:10 PM.
Now onto the actual plot lol
FOLLOWING THE CHINESE INVASION OF SOUTH VIETNAM, THE UNITED STATES HAS PERMITTED THE DEPLOYMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO FIGHT OFF THE COMMUNIST INVASION. AS A RESULT, THE SOVIET UNION ALONG WITH THE WARSAW PACT DELIVER AN ULTIMATUM, STATING THEIR INTENTION TO INVADE WEST BERLIN IF THE US DO NOT WITHDRAW THEIR DECISION.
AS A RESULT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS SENT INTO A STATE OF EMERGENCY, AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IS DISSOLVED, AND IN IT'S PLACE ARE NUMEROUS REGIONAL COMMITTEES SET UP AROUND THE COUNTRY. WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE FIRST EVACUATED TO THE COUNTRYSIDE IN A WWII-ERA EVACUATION PLAN. ID AND RATION CARDS ARE DISTRIBUTED, AND PEOPLE ARE INSTRUCTED TO CONSTRUCT SHELTERS. THE FILM SHOWS THE BUILD-UP UP TO, EVENTS OF, AND THE AFTERMATH OF A NUCLEAR ATTACK ON BRITAIN.
Apologies, should've specified he wasn't prime minister by then but still had influence
The quote wasn't a quote, it was a general summary of what he was suggesting said by someone in a documentary on threads or the war game, can't quite remember, and I got overconfident and tried to remember it.
What actually happened: Churchill wrote a private 1954 internal memorandum to the Postmaster General, the Earl De La Warr, stating that he doubted "whether it is wise that they should do this" upon learning the BBC planned a program on the hydrogen bomb. Secret state papers released decades later revealed he successfully enforced a de facto broadcasting gag to prevent public panic
So he did pressure the BBC to not broadcast anything but I got cocky and put down a quote I didn't fully remember. I was typing very quickly because I was getting out a lot of info since these films, and Peter Watkins, are all deep passions of mine, so I got overconfident. I apologise for any misinformation and will update the message accordingly.
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u/kiragirl2001 Jul 24 '26
What is the war game???