The War Game (Peter Watkins, 1965)
What is the film about?
The War Game (Peter Watkins, 1965), is a British documentary which is about a hypothetical Chinese invasion of South Vietnam that triggers a new world war between East and West. The events play out showing how a nuclear war would affect Britain, beginning in a town called Rochester, in Kent. Here is where people waited in anticipation of a nuclear attack which ultimately led to mass evacuations in the town. Then, not far from, a stray missile explodes which results in many being blinded who have seen it. Ultimately the majority of the film shows the fabric of society being ripped apart from events like; radiation poisoning, rioting for foods and other necessities as well as a lack of infrastructure throughout Britain.
Who are the main participants and what happens to them?
There are a variety of participants in this film and there are commonly acknowledging the presence of the camera crew. The participants are actors who have been hired to play a role and we see them suffering from the impacts of nuclear bombing, and those who are trying to help those in pain from the nuclear radiation etc.
Who made the film?
This film was made by Peter Watkins who is an English film and television director, whose films most commonly present pacifist and radical ideas in a non-traditional style. Watkins mainly concentrates on his works and the ideas that are around the mass media.
Nearly all of Watkins' films have used a combination of dramatic and documentary elements to dissect historical occurrences or possible near future events.
Does the film hold a significant place in film history?
This film holds significance because in 1965 it was announced that the decision has been made not to show on television because of the disturbance it could cause. Peter Watkins had carefully researched documentary dramatisation of the possibilities that could happen if a nuclear attack had actually occurred in Britain.
How is the subject framed?
The subjected is framed showing the true realities if what it would be like if this were to happen, showing the realities if death and the main people would be in due to the radiation and the burns that would effect people all over their body. The subject of the film shows the horrors of these events while showing the audience these realities. The audience are meant to feel concerned and it definitely creates this effect on the audience.
Do the filmmakers use any interesting techniques to convey information to the audience?
This film is significant through the techniques that the filmmaker uses, because after some research I have found that Peter Watkins uses the Neorealist technique of combining report in with fiction (by using images) that both narrate and describe in The War Game. This is interesting because although this is a reflection on the possible further events it subverts from showing realistic past events.
The filmmakers uses lots of graphic close ups which are effective in conveying information to the audience, it shows the horrendous situations of this hypothetical future crisis, and creates an awareness of the dangers that come with nuclear bombing.
How is the film structured?
The War Game’s story is told in the style of a news magazine programme, as it wavers between a pseudo-documentary, which is a fake documentary that takes the form of a documentary film however, it does not portray any real events almost like its telling a story, and a drama film in which the characters acknowledge he presence of the camera crew. The structure of this film is one of the significant things about it because it is unlike a typical documentary it is almost like an educational film designed to be targeted at an audience.
To what extent is the film a notable example of the "mode" you have identified above?
This film does not fit directly into any of Bill Nicholas modes of documentary and it ultimately has read of some but overall it doesn’t fit as any of his modes because this film almost tells a story of what would happen if this were to happen rather than providing factual information
What was your personal reaction to the film?
Personally, I found this film very interesting to see what the impacts would be if this were to happen. It was very notably uncomfortable is some areas when the affects of the nuclear bombing was shown but this has been done to create this affect on the audience.
Which sequences were particularly effective or enjoyable?
I particularly enjoyed the sequences which provided a lot of information to the audience through narration because although it was fiction, it is what could and will most likely happen in the future so it is interesting to be aware if the horrendous events that might happen in the future because it although none of the information provided was enjoyable to hear about, the way it was presented is particularly effective on the audience.
What do you think the filmmakers wanted to say?
I think that the filmmakers wanted to show the truthful reality of what the future might look like.
The film does not focus on individual experiences, but rather the collective British population, who rely on government preparations and are not fully convinced of the dangers of nuclear war until the final hours before the attack.