The War Game

This film is not currently available on DVD. Film Description Controversial drama documentary about a 'limited' nuclear attack in Kent. Officially suppressed, and not shown on television for twenty years, the film nevertheless gained a loyal following and provided a sharp focus for the peace movement. Still chilling and still very powerful.

Film Details Director Peter Watkins Starring   Country UK Language English   Year 1965

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Review by GH on 24th January 2003

A powerful and chilling piece of film-making that shows up the blindness and hypocrisy of both church and state in their attitude to nuclear weapons and the reality of the utter chaos that would ensue from their use. It's also a timely reminder for all the sabre-rattlers in positions of power.


The War Game (originally known as 'After the Bomb') was banned from television in UK for twenty years on the grounds that it might be 'demoralising' to the general public. Rather shamefully, in trying to preserve their supposed independence from Government pressure, the BBC tried to claim that they wouldn't show it on quality grounds. This argument fell apart when in 1967 it won an Academy Award for Best Documentary.


It is now released certificated as a 12. Well and good - it should be shown to 12 year-olds in their 'citizenship' classes at school in the hope that at least one generation can grow up and learn from the mistakes of the past.

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Review by Barry Forshaw on 18th March 2003

These two remarkable films (issued here in exemplary DVD editions by BFI Video) are important pieces of television history. Famously, The War Game was banned for many years by the BBC, theoretically because its grim, unflinching picture of a limited nuclear attack on Kent was considered too disturbing. This, of course was precisely director/writer Peter Watkins's point, but it's generally conceded that government interference was responsible for the suppression of this still powerful film. Some things date badly about the pieces today, not least the commentary (which now seems somewhat patronising), but there is no denying the nightmarish impact of the piece. Similarly, Watkins’ Culloden, an earlier drama-documentary about one of the most brutal battles in British history has a monolithic power that in some ways is more impressive than The War Game. Both films are essential documents for those interested in social history or the history of the medium of television

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