Missile (1988 film)

Last updated
Missile
Directed by Frederick Wiseman
Distributed by PBS [1]
Release date
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Missile is a 1988 American documentary film by Frederick Wiseman. [2]

Contents

Summary

It chronicles the 14-week training course for the men and women of the United States Air Force who are charged with manning the ICBM silos in remote places like Minot AFB and Whiteman AFB. The film shows discussions of the ethics of nuclear war, shows scenes from the daily lives of trainees, and shows demonstrations of training exercises such as counterterrorism, the launching of nuclear missiles, the command and control process, and basic military training. Most scenes in the film are of classroom training, interspersed with exercises in training facilities. [3] The film includes a scene of an Air Force church service memorial for the astronauts killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Production

In the typical cinéma vérité [4] style of Wiseman's films, the documentary is unadorned by commentary, narration, or music. [5]

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References

  1. Goodman, Walter (1988-08-31). "Review/Television; Hands That Could Launch the Missiles". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  2. Austin Film Society
  3. IDFA Archive
  4. The Paley Center for Media
  5. TV Reviews: New Wiseman Film Views 'Missile' Training - Los Angeles Times