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The Day After

  • TV Movie
  • 19831983
  • 14A14A
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,108
198
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Day After (1983)
DramaSci-Fi
The effects of a devastating nuclear holocaust on small-town residents of eastern Kansas.The effects of a devastating nuclear holocaust on small-town residents of eastern Kansas.The effects of a devastating nuclear holocaust on small-town residents of eastern Kansas.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,108
198
  • Director
    • Nicholas Meyer
  • Writer
    • Edward Hume
  • Stars
    • Jason Robards
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Steve Guttenberg
Top credits
  • Director
    • Nicholas Meyer
  • Writer
    • Edward Hume
  • Stars
    • Jason Robards
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Steve Guttenberg
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 195User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 6 wins & 10 nominations total

    Photos119

    The Day After (1983)
    The Day After (1983)
    Jason Robards in The Day After (1983)
    Steve Guttenberg, John Lithgow, Jason Robards, and JoBeth Williams in The Day After (1983)
    The Day After (1983)
    John Lithgow in The Day After (1983)
    Jason Robards in The Day After (1983)
    Jason Robards in The Day After (1983)
    The Day After (1983)
    John Cullum in The Day After (1983)
    Jason Robards and Georgann Johnson in The Day After (1983)
    Madison Mason in The Day After (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Dr. Russell Oakesas Dr. Russell Oakes
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Nurse Nancy Baueras Nurse Nancy Bauer
    Steve Guttenberg
    Steve Guttenberg
    • Stephen Kleinas Stephen Klein
    John Cullum
    John Cullum
    • Jim Dahlbergas Jim Dahlberg
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Joe Huxleyas Joe Huxley
    Bibi Besch
    Bibi Besch
    • Eve Dahlbergas Eve Dahlberg
    Lori Lethin
    Lori Lethin
    • Denise Dahlbergas Denise Dahlberg
    Amy Madigan
    Amy Madigan
    • Alison Ransomas Alison Ransom
    Jeff East
    Jeff East
    • Bruce Gallatinas Bruce Gallatin
    Georgann Johnson
    Georgann Johnson
    • Helen Oakesas Helen Oakes
    William Allen Young
    William Allen Young
    • Airman Billy McCoyas Airman Billy McCoy
    Calvin Jung
    • Dr. Sam Hachiyaas Dr. Sam Hachiya
    Lin McCarthy
    Lin McCarthy
    • Dr. Austinas Dr. Austin
    Dennis Lipscomb
    Dennis Lipscomb
    • Reverend Walkeras Reverend Walker
    Clayton Day
    • Dennis Hendryas Dennis Hendry
    Doug Scott
    • Danny Dahlbergas Danny Dahlberg
    Ellen Anthony
    • Joleen Dahlbergas Joleen Dahlberg
    Kyle Aletter
    • Marilyn Oakesas Marilyn Oakes
    • Director
      • Nicholas Meyer
    • Writer
      • Edward Hume
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    The frightening story of the weeks leading up to and following a nuclear strike on the United States. The bulk of the activity centers around the town of Lawrence, Kansas. —Anthony Ventarola <theventman@aol.com>
    falloutnuclear warnuclear holocaustmissile silonuclear winter243 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • They told us it would be impossible to make this movie. They told us it would be impossible for you to watch it. We hope nothing is impossible.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • 14A
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The program originally aired November 20, 1983. It remains the most watched TV movie in U.S. history. Estimates put the viewership at over 100 million Americans, with a Nielsen share of 62 percent.
    • Goofs
      When Dr. Austin is explaining the effects of the Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) from the nuclear blast, he says. "It's all theoretical. It's never happened before." In actuality, the United States detonated a 3.8 Megaton warhead at an altitude of 50 miles, 1 August 1958, in the Operation Hardtack Teak shot nuclear test. This event caused unexpected communications disruption and damage to electrical equipment in an area that ranged between Hawaii and New Zealand. It was the first observation of the EMP effect.
    • Quotes

      Joe Huxley: You know what Einstein said about World War III? He said he didn't know how they were gonna fight World War III, but he knew how they would fight World War IV: With sticks and stones.

    • Crazy credits
      [After movie has ended, before end credits.] The catastrophic events you have just witnessed are, in all likelihood, less severe than the destruction that would actually occur in the event of a full nuclear strike against the United States. It is hoped that the images of this film will inspire the nations of this earth, their peoples, and leaders to find the means to avert that fateful day.
    • Alternate versions
      The rare laserdisc version (released by Image Entertainment in 1995) is advertised as being a director's cut. This version runs 127mins, is widescreen in its proper ratio of 1:75:1 and has a commentary track by director Nicholas Meyer. At the time of this release full versions of the film were not readily available. So it stands to chance this director's cut is actually the same as the current mgm dvd (US region 1) as far as content and running time goes, with the exception of the widescreen format and commentary track which so far has only be found on this laserdisc.
    • Connections
      Edited from Two-Minute Warning (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Music from 'The River'
      by Virgil Thomson

      Arranged by David Raksin (uncredited)

    User reviews195

    Review
    Top review
    Still Scary
    This movie aired recently on the USA network and I saw it for the first time since I was ten years old. Although I did not find myself experiencing nightmares when I went to bed that night, as I did seventeen years ago, I still found the movie's message delivered clearly and with solid dramatic impact.

    Upon close analysis, there are flaws, both technical and on the creative end. The post-bomb world seems far too well-lit at times in light of the "nuclear winter" theory. And (as the film's disclaimer says) the actual results are much, much grimmer. Seven years ago I visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the photos, accounts and newsreel footage taken of those who survived are absolutely horrifying.

    Some of the plot point devices and characters seem far too constructed (or perhaps outright contrived): Steve Guttenberg and his girlfriend and their tearful reunion, the dying doctor played by Jason Robards returning to the ruins of Kansas City for a final farewell to his home (and wife who died in the explosion). But the acting is strong, and Nicholas Meyer's largely low-key direction (often with no music) hammer home what is the film's message - loss. Not just the typical message that everyone loses in (nuclear) war, but illustrating what would be lost: loved ones, your home, your way of life, simple human dignity. And that it would be lost forever. For me, one of the most chilling lines is when Steve Guttenberg says to his girlfriend, "There's not going to be any phones."

    Haunting.
    helpful•27
    5
    • sora-2
    • Mar 12, 2001

    FAQ2

    • Is this any relation to the recent blockbuster, 'The Day After Tomorrow?'
    • How many different versions do exist of this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Tag danach
    • Filming locations
      • Lawrence, Kansas, USA
    • Production company
      • ABC Circle Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

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    10 Great Movies by Hong Sang-soo
    Dec 19AsianMoviePulse
    'Television Event' about the making of classic 'The Day After' (1983)
    'Television Event' about the making of classic 'The Day After' (1983)
    Nov 17FilmExperience

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