The nuclear war drama was deemed ‘too horrifying’ for British viewers (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
With the world currently a devastating playground for multiple wars — be it the actively escalating US-Israel joint operation against Iran in the Middle East, Israel’s war on Gaza since Hamas’ October 2023 attack or the four-year long Russia-Ukraine war that is still ongoing — to say there is catastrophic unrest in the world would be an understatement.
Amidst all this, the threat of a nuclear war erupting at any moment is ever-prevalent. What would follow then, would be pure destruction and unparalleled devastation — the fallout would be unthinkable.
Precisely this, is what has been depicted in a BBC documentary from 1965. A documentary deemed ‘so horrifying’, it was banned from being broadcast on television for 20 whole years by the British Broadcasting Corporation itself.
At the time, the corporation had said of its decision to ban the documentary film: “The effect of the film has been judged by the BBC to be too horrifying for the medium of broadcasting. It will, however, be shown to invited audiences…”
The British pseudo-documentary was finally televised in Great Britain on July 31, 1985 — two decades after its provisional screening date of October 6, 1965. This was also the week before the 40th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.
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It depicted a fictional nuclear strike on Britain by the Soviets (Image: BBC)
The War Game is currently available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer or to buy for £5.99 on Amazon Prime Video.
Written, directed and produced by Peter Watkins for the BBC, The War Game, depicted a fictional nuclear strike on Britain by the Soviets and its unspeakable aftermath.
The docu-film’s official synopsis reads: “In this British documentary, a hypothetical Chinese invasion of South Vietnam triggers a new world war between East and West. In the town of Rochester, Kent, the anticipation of a nuclear attack leads to mass evacuations. When a stray missile actually explodes, the ensuing firestorm blinds all those who see it. It’s not long before the fabric of society is ripped apart owing to radiation poisoning, a lack of infrastructure and rioting for food and other necessities.”
On April 13, 1966, The War Game had its premiere at the National Film Theatre in London, where it ran until May 3. Banned from broadcast, the 47-minute long docu-drama then had a run at multiple international film festivals, including Venice, where it bagged the Special Prize.
The accolades didn’t stop there — the banned BBC doc went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1967, and two BAFTAs for Best Short Film and the UN Award.
With a near-perfect 93% approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, The War Game has been lauded by critics and audiences alike.
The BBC drama explores the devastating aftermath of nuclear war in Britain (Image: BBC)
One reviewer said of the docu-drama: “Nothing that you have heard or read can fully prepare you for Peter Watkins’ 1965 faux documentary on the aftermath of a nuclear attack on Great Britain.”
While a second reviewer wrote: “One of the most disturbing, overwhelming, and downright important films ever produced.”
A third critic deemed it essential viewing for all, writing: “It was produced by the British Broadcasting Corp. but never televised because it was felt its showing would be both horrifying and depressing. It is. It also is realistic, informative and shattering. It is a movie that everyone should see.”
While one critic said, “Still packs a whallop. Will stick with you for life. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” another wrote of the nuclear war drama, “One of the most skillful documentary films ever made.”
Audience reviews follow in a similar vein, with one viewer writing in a detailed review: “The War Game, although created as a TV movie for the BBC for the 20th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is easily the one of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen, on par only with Gus van Sant’s “Elephant.” It accurately portrays the effects and aftermath of a nuclear attack and uses a handheld documentary style that makes everything chillingly real.
The War Game is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer for four months (Image: BBC)
“There were several times during the film when I had to remind myself that Britain had never suffered a nuclear attack and the footage I was looking at was not real. There are very few films that have left me in the state that this one did when it was over. Much like “Schindler’s List” or “American History X,” this is the kind of movie I think everyone should watch because it is so incredibly informative and brings the viewer so much closer to understanding the pain and monstrosity of a nuclear attack.”
Another audience review called it: “A harrowing punch in the gut that nothing prepared me for. Unforgettable.”
While one viewer said of Watkins’ drama: “Really shook me up and left me reeling for a while after seeing it. Peter Watkins ruined my 3 day weekend with this masterfully done piece of film. Needs to be required viewing for every being capable of understanding images and sound.”
The War Game is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer till July 2026 or can be purchased for £5.99 on Amazon Prime Video.