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Review It Yourself

Threads (1984)

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This is a grim one, but it's a film you need to see!


A British kitchen sink drama set in Sheffield in 1983, which follows a young couple expecting their first child before a nuclear war interrupts their plans. 


Sean and Sarah review one of the most-unflinching and best British TV films of all time.

Will they remain unimpressed by their choice of film?


Warning: This podcast episodes contains descriptions of some of the shocking events in the film. 


Discussion Points:

-Sarah and Sean forgot how bleak this film is.

-How timely this film feels in 2024, even though it was made in 1984.

-The impact of this film when it was first released.

-How unnerving this film is. 

-Sean wonders whether they should have chosen this film.

-The British Soap Creme-de-le-creme of actors. 

-Just how much the British underestimated the impact of a nuclear bomb.

-Sarah debuts her Northern impression.

-Sarah discusses the power of background events bubbling over so "abruptly and quickly", describing it as "masterful" and "amazing".

-Sarah describes the power of the small character moments, which make the film so special.

-The effects on the post-war generation and the complete lack of social cohesion is highlighted by Sarah. 

-Sean wonders if humans would become functionally extinct; when a species reaches such a low level of members that it will inevitably become extinct, as it is unable to replenish it's numbers.


Raised Questions:

-Will this film change the trajectory of your day?

-How bad is Sean's Sheffield accent?

-Is there anything better than an upper class English voice heralding your doom? 

-Does watching this film make you extra British?

-Why did they show Threads (1984) to school children?

-Does this film make you want to stop making jokes?

-Was this film the death knell for many high street shops?

-Did they need to make it seem survivable?

-It's not good when they quietly store away the paintings is it?

-Is this the best thing that the BBC has ever made?


Thanks for Listening!

 

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