Rocket Attack U.S.A. (1961)

A cold-war propaganda film, released not too long after the launch of Sputnik, intended to rally public support for an anti-ballistic missile program. Based on the assumption that Sputnik ... See full summary »

Director:

Barry Mahon

Stars:

Monica Davis, John McKay, Phillip St. George

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Monica Davis	...	Tanya
John McKay	...	John Manston
Phillip St. George
Edward Czerniuk
Daniel Kern
Richard Downs
Herbert Flato
Ray Brewer
Janice Gilmain
Robert Reeh
Art Metrano	...	Truck Driver (as Arthur Metrano)
Jane Ross	...	Truck Driver's Wife
Marco Behar
Frank Patrinostrow
Milton Fuchs

Storyline

A cold-war propaganda film, released not too long after the launch of Sputnik, intended to rally public support for an anti-ballistic missile program. Based on the assumption that Sputnik is gathering intelligence for the Soviets, a spy is sent to Moscow to determine just how far along their missile program is. Surprise, surprise; Sputnik gave them all the data they need to build one nuclear missile, which is ready to launch against the U.S.

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Plot Keywords:

spy | anti communist | russia | nuclear weapons | independent film

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Taglines:

From Another Continent ... Destruction!!! Panic!! ... before the Rocket Strikes!

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Genres:

Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Five Minutes to Zero

Filming Locations:

Hazlet, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Exploit Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Goofs

One of the Russian soldiers is armed with an American Browning Automatic Rifle. The rest of the Russian soldiers are also incorrectly armed with bolt-action rifles, since the AK-47 had been adopted as the standard issue rifle six years prior to the events in the movie.

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Quotes

Tannah: Last month I became the mistress of the secretary of defense. When the pig gets drunk, he talks.
John Manston: What a setup!

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Lost Continent (1990)

User Reviews

It SUCKS!

This is definitely the feel-good movie of the Cold War era. What more could you want? Plot contrivances by the boatload, one-dimensional characters, and unnecessary scenes clutter this otherwise noble film about military preparedness during the period when just as many people were scared of Charlie McCarthy as Joe McCarthy. What makes this film truly disappointing is the lack of authenticity on the film makers part. After all, who could honestly believe that you would have ONE Russian soldier guarding your precious ICBM that is aimed at New York City. Further, why would an American agent who can waltz right up to said ICBM, but yet have the slowest fuse on any bomb ever invented? *Sigh* I guess all movies can't be "Red Zone Cuba".