Culloden + The War Game

This comment highlights the excellence of British television through two controversial and thought-provoking films. Despite being made on low budgets, these films have a profound impact on viewers that expensive CGI effects cannot replicate. They delve into disturbing themes such as the brutality of war, human selfishness, and manipulation by those in power. "Culloden" exposes mass genocide committed by redcoats, while "War Game" reveals the incompetence of civil defense and the ignorance of ordinary people regarding nuclear weapons. These remastered films now look crisp and sound sharp thanks to BFI's efforts in making them available. Personally witnessing "War Game" at a CND meeting in the early eighties, its power has not diminished over time. These two British classics deserve wider recognition.

The government's advice on nuclear war when I was a child was shockingly inadequate. It's not that it's hard to believe, but rather disappointing that those in power were so ill-informed. The question remains: why weren't they better prepared and why wasn't the public properly informed? It would be beneficial to revisit this topic with commentary on the psychological impact of knowledge versus ignorance. These arguments are still relevant today, especially considering the current situation with the virus. Thankfully, we're not being told to hide under tables, but the ineffective masks remind me of The War Game. Culloden is an exceptional piece of work that continues to set the standard for docu-drama reports today. Peter Walker, you are truly remarkable.

Considering that both of these films were made in the 1960s, it is remarkable how relevant they remain today. "The War Game" provides a realistic portrayal of the events leading up to and following a nuclear strike on the UK, which explains why it was banned from general release at the time. On the other hand, "Culloden" combines elements of documentary and re-enactment to depict the Battle of Culloden.