This Is Not a Test

This is a fine example of a very well executed low or no budget movie. The topic: the end of the world. A cross section of society is stopped at a roadblock by the psycho sheriff from hell waiting for doom, i.e. nuclear missiles. The drama is set in real time so we basically witness the last 72 minutes of the world and the drama that unfolds between the people waiting or trying to find a way to survive. There are no shock effects, just emotions, drama and melodrama. However, the drama is gripping and very well written. It is amazing that a film that's set at a cross roads somewhere in the middle of nowhere with no special effects whatsoever can make such compelling viewing.

People who are expecting a science-fiction plot will be much disappointed by this B&W suspense film, set entirely at a highway roadblock at night. The plot elements of a hard-boiled detective story (escaped murderer, faithless alcoholic wife trolling for danger) are fitted into the nuclear holocaust environment typical of the late 1950s and early 1960s America. The success of the Soviet Union's Sputnik in 1957 and the perceived threat of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 form the framework of a story of little people whose lives are overtaken by events they cannot control. "Thirteen Days" (2000) would be a suitable "A" film to this low-budget "B" film in order to supply the background of tension missing to the contemporary viewer who comes upon this film with no forewarning.

... so imagine my surprise when...I couldn't stop watching it. This is strictly B, but oddly entertaining. The premise is that the US is under attack, and a by-the-book cop forms a blockade to prevent motorists from going to the city...where there will soon be chaos. The acting isn't bad at all, with the exception of the lead (the cop) who over acts his stiff character. It really is an interesting take on the unquestioned power of the authority figure in the early 60's, as well as the impact of the cold war, the 'red scare' . Each character has there own background to contend with, from the crusty old man who understands the situation to the wanted criminal on the run. A claustrophobic young girl, a fun-loving alcoholic couple, a good-citizen trucker... How long will each tolerate the sometimes brutal treatment by the cop? When will they give up hope of surviving? It's not great filmmaking, but the performances were better, and the dialogue wasn't as hokey as I expected.

This was definitely a lower end 'B' movie, in terms of acting and production values. For a movie with such dramatic, relevant and plausible importance at the time it was made, it was surprisingly boring at times. But it's worth seeing, because this really did almost happen in the year it was made, 1962. It's a time capsule, even if lower end, of such a drama made at the time, not interpreted decades later. People who make fun of the paranoia of the cold war should remember this fact. The only thing that's really changed, is the perception. The possibility of nuclear war, is still with us.

A group of motorists traveling a remote mountain road are stopped at a roadblock by a no-nonsense highway patrolman, who is looking for an escaped felon. Suddenly, over the cop's radio comes the news that enemy ICBMs are on the way. Of course, society -- represented in microcosm by the small group -- freaks out, trying to come to grips with the fact that they are trapped between a rock and a hard place, with almost certain death only minutes away. This very low-budget Cold War flick is actually fairly effective and is played plausibly, with decent performances turned in by the virtually unknown cast. Tautly suspenseful, and well worth tracking down.

I remember seeing this film as a kid on late-night television and have searched for it for years (not remembering the title). Actually, it takes place very near to where I live, but anyway, this is NOT an exploitation film in the usual sense. Certainly a low-budget effort with varying degrees of amateur acting and strong portrayals, you do feel the smothering mood of impending doom for these folks. The casting of Seamon Glass (remember him in DELIVERANCE?) was essential to the reality of this tale since he doesn't seem to be acting at all. A perfect late-night tale of confusion and fear with a perfect ending. They must have filmed this in four or five days. Who was right in the end? I miss these old black and white low-budget efforts. They formed their own reality when they weren't making fun of serious topics as in this case. Definitely a 7. It's on DVD. Check it out.

It may have helped that I stumbled on this by complete accident, but this is the end of the world on a Coleman Fransis budget and it works fine. The story is taut and surprising; I liked the way the horrible authority figure can never quite be dismissed, he might just save all there lives. The ironies packed into its 72 minutes are all handled with a light touch. The cast seems inexperienced but mostly do just fine. Mike Green would go on to play the boss in Albert Brook's great meltdown scene in "Lost In America." Few know about this film, see it if you can. It stands nicely along side "Miracle Mile." I wonder if history will ever make these movies obsolete?