Nuclear Nightmares: The Wars That Must Never Happen

Peter Ustinov hosts this haunting documentary exploring the world's nuclear weaponry and the fragile system that deters either side from initiating the first nuclear strike. Although the world's political climate has mellowed since the Cold War era, Nuclear Nightmares takes the viewer back in time to gain a perspective of what it was like to live under a very real nuclear threat.

[iamtomkills]

I miss these old, proper documentaries. Informative, great narration and no ridiculous music blaring constantly. Top class. Modern documentaries are mostly unwatchable.

[willo]

This is a great documentary. I continue to be surprised every day that we haven’t blown ourselves up given that we’ve had nukes for almost 80 years.

[analogueman]

A quality documentary from 1980 that seems as relevant today as it did forty-four years ago.

[terenceokane]

Hearing him tell the story about a fictional Soviet Sub Captain around the 54min mark... Can't help but be thankful for the story of Vasily Arkhipov who kind of stopped this exact scenario from happening during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

[kevinsmith]

I love these old documentaries.Peter Ustinovs voice brings back those old memories.

[monumentlandscapeservicesl]

I was there. 3rd AD, mech infantry, 81-83. 20 miles from the Fulda Gap. Scary times. Almost went hot in 83. Thought we would have learned by now: Nobody wins a nuclear war.

[charleswheeler]

US Army 1983-1986. A lot of emphasis was placed on "Fighting, surviving, and winning on the chemical, radiological, and nuclear battlefield." we knew what that would have meant.

[PibrochPonder]

Just when I thought my sleepless nights were because of my neighbor’s cat, ‘Nuclear Nightmares: The Wars That Must Never Happen’ proved me wrong! 😅 Peter Ustinov’s voice took me on a haunting trip down Cold War memory lane, making me grateful for today’s peace. This doc is an eye-opener and a must-watch. Hit like 👍 if you also prefer your nightmares in history books, not in the future!

[danielmarshall]

How splendid, to see the American Armour prior to the Abrams M1 coming into service. Many thanks for posting this wonderful film.

[thomaskeown]

I rode with the 3/11 Armored Cavalry regiment from 75-77. Was with the 155mm self propelled artillery battery. Spent many days at border posts like Alpha. We were told we'd suffer 98% casualties within the first 24 hours of conflict. Our howitzers were indeed nuclear capable. Fun times.

[hrdknox]

Having spent the majority of my 46 years on this planet studying nuclear war, this is my first time seeing this! It's very good!

[TejasNaik]

A good documentary and well presented in the voice and style of Peter Ustinov.

[billotto]

Well, since Peter died in 2004, this is obviously an old video. And thank God for that. I grew up in the heights of the cold war & I am eternally grateful for that ending peacefully.

[heinrichmuller]

thing to remember about those ICBM silos is that unlike the pizza delivery places these days, they can still deliver "in 30 mins or less" _guaranteed_

[robertknight]

Presenter is Peter Ustinov. His dad came to Britain as a defector and MI6 agent!

[ShikataGaNai]

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room." - Peter Sellers

[williamcervoni]

I find it fascinating I acting how easily they admit their own guilt of flagrant war crimes...hiding a bunker beneath a football field is awfully similar to the accusations we use to demonize other regimes for hiding their arsenals amidst civilian installations...and if that bunker were attacked hypothetically speaking, how much condemnation would fall on the attacker for the act of attacking a civilian complex, Knowing all the wile that it it actually a military installation camouflaged as a civilian facility and being used to coordinate military activities.. It certainly blurs the line between who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys"

[nateweter]

I recognize this commentator from the old Discovery Channels ‘Wings’ program. Excellent show. He did the ‘Wings of the Red Star’ episodes.

[griffhenshaw]

Very Is relevant today. And Peter you snuff what a great narrator.

[hoffenwurdig]

''Today it is Gorbachev, but tomorrow it could be somebody else. There are no guarantees that some Stalinist will not succeed him.''

-- Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov speaking to the Washington Post in November 1988