American secret agents, John and Tanya, are sent to the USSR after British agents relay information on a Russian plot to bomb America. The duo discover that the Soviets intend launching an ICBM sneak attack against the United States on the night that they arrive. The Russians are using information gathered by Sputnik to plan the attack, and as the American spies' attempt to sabotage one rocket fails, they are shot.
Back in the United States, as the missile closes in, a radio reporter stays on the air to assist those threatened in the emergency as American defense missiles prove too slow to defend the country. The reporter's wife knows this will be his death sentence. As Manhattan is hit and 3 million are killed, a general bemoans the lack of a functioning ICBM missile defense system. The efforts to strengthen the US defense system were unsuccessful owing to limited funding and effort. The US retaliation is expected to be minimal as the Russian defenses have been properly funded and maintained. The end title begs the audience not to let this be the end.[2]
The Albany Herald stated the movie is so melodramatic and with such hilariously bad dialogue that it has developed a cult following,[3] while The Meridian Record-Journal found that it was among the worst movies produced. In Apocalypse Then,[4] the movie was found to be full of cheapness and histrionics, and despite being a sincere attempt, the movie is padded and some of the special effects are literally cartoons. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction found the movie of interest only as an example of US paranoia over Communism in the 1950s.[5]
It was included as part of the Sci-Fi Invasion 50 movie DVD set released by Mill Creek Entertainment[9] as well as the Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume 27 DVD set.[10]
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