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Panic in Year Zero!

Panic in Year Zero!

Drama · Science Fiction · Thriller · 1962

While on a fishing trip, Harry Baldwin and his family hear an explosion and realize that Los Angeles has been leveled by a nuclear attack. Looters and killers are everywhere. Escaping to the hills with his family, he sets about the business of surviving in a world where, he knows, the old ideals of humanity will be the first casualties.

Movie details

Panic in Year Zero!

“An orgy of looting and lust!”

1962 Drama · Science Fiction · Thriller 1h 33m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

While on a fishing trip, Harry Baldwin and his family hear an explosion and realize that Los Angeles has been leveled by a nuclear attack. Looters and killers are everywhere. Escaping to the hills with his family, he sets about the business of surviving in a world where, he knows, the old ideals of humanity will be the first casualties.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Panic in Year Zero!?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ray Milland

Written by

John Morton · Jay Simms

Ray Milland

Ray Milland

Harry Baldwin

Jean Hagen

Jean Hagen

Ann Baldwin

Frankie Avalon

Frankie Avalon

Rick Baldwin

Mary Mitchel

Mary Mitchel

Karen Baldwin

Joan Freeman

Joan Freeman

Marilyn Hayes

Richard Bakalyan

Richard Bakalyan

Carl

R

Rex Holman

Mickey

Court is in session

Put Panic in Year Zero! on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Arthouse Gremlin

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.