A Short Vision (1956)

This short animated film is Peter and Joan Foldes' second and last film together. Its bleak subject - the end of the world caused by a nuclear apocalypse - reflects a widespread preoccupation in 50s Britain which would soon lead to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

The film is composed mostly of still drawings, creating a terrifying effect amplified by a sombre commentary spoken in the style of the Bible. The film had a very strong impact on audiences, in particular across the Atlantic, where it was shown on primetime television to millions of American viewers and reportedly produced one of the biggest reactions since Orson Welles' 'War of the Worlds' broadcast in 1938. (Christophe Dupin)

To find out more about 'A Short Vision', visit
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/442000/

You can watch over 1300 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge in the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank, London and at the new QUAD centre for art and film in Derby - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/bfi-mediatheque

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• BFI
• Animation
• Cartoon
• Apocalypse
• CND
• Campaign
• Nuclear
• Disarmament
• Sci-Fi
• Missile
• Animals
• Leopard
• Deer
• Horror
• Owl
• Death
• Rat
• Terror
• Cold
• War
• Leaders
• End
• World
• Blood
• Skull
• Moth
• Flame
• Joan
• Peter
• Foldes
• James
• McKechnie
• Matyas
• Seiber

[schlupi]

It's absolutely horrifying how undiluted the shadow of nuclear arms remains in our day and age. A very stirring piece, indeed.

[MhicWombat]

shattering ... and still possible  :-(

[cruiser1947]

I saw this on tv when I was a kid. I was shook up for months afterward !!!! I was surprised to see it again. Thanks for posting it.

[InvaderZim897]

My only reaction: YUCK.

[VivaChiba76]

Many thanks for uploading this, been on the look out for it since seeing some stills in an old science fiction book...

...good grief, must have traumitised your average Ed Sullivan viewer!

[HethrinLives]

And when it flew over the mcdonalds...the fat obese man looked up! And the Big mac rolled away from the greasy fingers....and they BOTH hid in fear!

[ramywiles]

I hate that anyone would even dream of inflicting such terrible, absolute, irreversible damage on fellow human beings. The idea of nuclear warfare makes me SICK.

[Tenkagethewise]

Good lord that is horrible

[Harleyquinn191]

* cockroach come out from under a rock*

FUCK YEA!

[MrDavidHarrison]

@Duvmasta - Idiot. That is all.

[saintrupert]

Mighty nice theremin playing!!!

Not like Rockmore or Hoffman.