COLD WAR (THE)

Dr. Strangelove

Era: 20 th century.

Situation: The Cold War - The film is a dark comedy about the planning and execution of nuclear apocalypse in the volatile period of the 1960's. Political and military leadership issues are showcased. The blind dedication and loyalty expected of United States Strategic Air Command (SAC) bomber crews to the mission at hand is highlighted. Also prevalent in this picture is a flagrant abuse of authority at the hands of a rogue SAC base commander. Negotiation and compromise play a role at the political level.

Primary Actors: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, and Slim Pickens.

VHS 60172, ISBN 0-8001-2240-2, B&W / 91 Min., Columbia Tri-Star Home Video, 1963.

K-19 The Widowmaker

Era: 20 th century.

Situation: The Cold War - Event in the 1960's on board a Soviet nuclear submarine that experiences a reactor failure and the life and death leadership issues the vessel's captain faces. The film clearly depicts the respect for the captain held by the crew even into the long and difficult aftermath, whereby the incident was suppressed by the Soviet hierarchy but eventually disclosed with the advent of Perestroika in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

Primary Actors: Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson.

VHS 340213, ISBN 0-7921-8844-6, Colour / approximately 120 Min., Intermedia / National Geographic / Paramount, 2002.

Strategic Air Command

Era: The Cold War - This film takes place in the early 1950's as a propaganda push within the United States for Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the prevailing concept of air power as it related to bomber supremacy as the primary means of a defensive offence against the Soviet Union. Although the film mostly showcases SAC's capability it does portray elements of aircrew leadership, the strains imposed on family life, as well as higher air force leadership and authority.

Primary Actors: James Stewart, June Allison, Frank Lovejoy, Barry Sullivan, Alex Nicol, Bruce Bennet.

VHS (catalogue # unknown) Colour / approximately 120 Min., Paramount Pictures, 1955.