Trailer

The War Game

1966Movie48 min

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

A relentlessly bleak, nerve-racking war movie about society and war.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you scare easily

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

BBC TV's film about a nuclear attack on Britain

A hypothetical Chinese invasion of South Vietnam triggers a new world war between East and West. In Rochester, Kent, the anticipation of a nuclear attack leads to mass evacuations. When a stray missile explodes, the ensuing firestorm blinds all those who see it. It's not long before the fabric of society is ripped apart from radiation poisoning, a lack of infrastructure and rioting for food and other necessities.

Feels like

  • Dystopian Nuclear War
  • British Social Commentary
  • Bleak Realism
  • Psychological Horror
  • Political Satire
  • Post-Apocalyptic Dread
  • Thought-Provoking
  • Tense Atmosphere
  • Historically Controversial

Cast

Crew

Directed by
Peter Watkins
Written by
Peter Watkins
Produced by
Peter Watkins

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

April 13, 1966 · 48 min · Violence, Disturbing Imagery

Released
April 13, 1966
Runtime
48 min
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
War, TV Movie
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Available in
5 countries

Tropes

Men Are the Expendable Gender, Eye Scream, Taking You with Me +9

  • Men Are the Expendable Gender
  • Eye Scream
  • Taking You with Me
  • Deliberately Monochrome
  • V-Sign
  • Red Alert
  • Outgrown Such Silly Superstitions
  • Worthless Yellow Rocks
  • Vox Pops
  • Sarcasm Mode
  • Fate Worse than Death
  • 20 Minutes into the Future

12 of 33 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The War Game?"

Questions about The War Game

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The War Game?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The War Game from Fandango At Home. It streams in 1 other country, but not in the United States.

Is The War Game worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87 (IMDb 7.9 and Rotten Tomatoes 93%).

Will I feel good after watching The War Game?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for bleakness and 9 for melancholy, against 1 for hopefulness.

Will The War Game scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 8 of 10.

What tropes does The War Game use?

Men Are the Expendable GenderEye ScreamTaking You with MeDeliberately MonochromeV-SignRed AlertOutgrown Such Silly SuperstitionsWorthless Yellow RocksVox PopsSarcasm ModeFate Worse than Death20 Minutes into the Futureand 21 more

TV Tropes lists 33 tropes for it, including Men Are the Expendable Gender, Eye Scream, and Taking You with Me.