Plutonium Circus (1995)

Funny yet incisive look at the PANTEX Nuclear Weapons Plant, in Amarillo, TX, which was used for nuclear weapons assembly during the Cold War. The plant, which provides most of the jobs for... See full summary »

Director:

George Ratliff

3 wins.

Storyline

Funny yet incisive look at the PANTEX Nuclear Weapons Plant, in Amarillo, TX, which was used for nuclear weapons assembly during the Cold War. The plant, which provides most of the jobs for those living in Amarillo, now operates as a disassembly-line where the weapons, which were once built there, are now being taken apart with the plutonium getting stored underground. The film deals with the issues of storing the plutonium and the effects the plant has had (and is having) on the town of Amarillo, as well as how it has affected the way people thought about the Cold War and its aftermath. It does so by taking a look at the lives and activities of the Amarillo residents directly or indirectly associated with, or having strong opinions about the Plant.

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Plot Keywords:

nuclear weapons | americana | independent film

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1995 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Amarillo, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Poignant, incredibly insightful, and funny!!!

This movie is sheer genius. Like Roger Moore at his best, this documentary lets people tell their own amazing story - in this case, the story of how a small city learns to accept the horrifically unacceptable and incorporate it into their everyday lives. Unlike Roger Moore's flicks, which to me often elicit laughs from a position of judgmental superiority, Ratliff's movie is full of heart and soul and the poignant humor that comes from recognizing our universal vulnerability to the human ability to adapt, even to what is essentially insane. Aside from the core message, it's a delightful foray into the world of Amarillo's fascinating and sometimes eccentric townsfolk - as local Stan Marsh says, "it's the wind that makes us crazy."