deputy125

been a rather rough week and finally got the weekend off. So this morning i watched an old movie on tv called: Panic in the year zero

its an old black and white movie made in 1962. It ain't gonna win any critical aclaim with the acting and "jazz" music used during the exciting parts (actually, i kind of liked the music) but it was still interesting enough that i did not change the channel and sort of want to see it again.

the basic story line is this........nuclear war has happened. Immediately, the "ozzie and harriett" all-american wholesome "father knows best" honest hard-working family must go into survival mode in order to survive. The father takes charge and is forced to take "un-civilized" steps to protect his family........over the objections of his family who still want to remain "civilized" and do not understand that society has collapsed.

in this movie, you will see many, many things that can happen today. Price gouging, greed, neighbor aginst neighbor, lawless gangs.........and folks forced to protect themselves. The critical elements of food and gasoline for survival and for trade, even the discussion of plans of trading food in secret locations as barter if one is taken hostage.

As i mentioned, it is 1962, so it is a movie of its time that is not full of blood, gore, and gratious sex..........though it does hit around the edges. While some would say it is not "technical" enough, i say it hits the nail on the head for the common man in that it gives the message that in a survival situtation...........morality and law tend to disappear.

The survival weapons? basic 1962.......bird guns, hunting rifles, revolvers and 1911's......purty much what a feller has on hand or what he can afford that will work.........in all truth, the same as today.....it is the man and not the weapon.

the very same survival themes of this movie could easily be translated away from the nuclear aspect and into civil strife and natural diaster.

anyways, for a 1962 "B" movie that was promoted as sci-fi, it was purty good at least on the message of the mentality of survival...........and how the avg honest man may be forced into "dis-honesty" for his family.............by 1962 hollywood standards at least. This is not a "rambo" kill everything in sight movie......actually there is very little gun play........it is more of a movie to get one thinking than to entertain.........

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Bountyhunter

Sounds interesting to me. I'm going to have to check Netflix for it.

Machinist

I remember the movie, Deputy. It was a bit grim because it was more realistic than most of that type, certainly for the time. It's been a long time.

sheepdog

"The survival weapons? basic 1962.......bird guns, hunting rifles, revolvers and 1911's......purty much what a feller has on hand or what he can afford that will work.........in all truth, the same as today.....it is the man and not the weapon."

...You said it all there!!!

Snuffy

No matter what you have stored up, if you loose your head you will loose everything. One will learn to make do with what you have on hand, if not someone else will.