The Film (5/5)

     Threads is a film that will affect you.  If you are emotional in the slightest, if you are conscious about the world we live in, especially at this time, right now. This is a film that will pack a very strong punch to the gut. Threads was made in 1984 by director Mick Jackson for the BBC as a Cold War Docudrama, at the time it was quite timely as the U.S. was constantly in a state of near nuclear war with Russia. It is now 30 years later, and we are seated with a president who thinks a large military arsenal is the ultimate show of strength, and is playing games with the North Korean regime, and has thus made Threads timely again.

    Threads basically does a "what if" the bombs dropped in a nuclear conflict, but rather than escalate this to a world wide scenario chooses to focus exclusively on the English city of Sheffield.  Most specifically the citizens and their daily lives, and to be more specific it centers on a young couple Ruth and Jimmy who end up with an unplanned pregnancy on the eve of nuclear Armageddon. They try to live their lives normally, and setup a home for their impending child as war and death loom in the background, with the hope that nothing will happen to them and their child to be. Alas, it is not to be and the second half of the film begins when the bombs drop, and we see the survivors trying to deal with life after everything is reduced to rubble, and radiation has made most of the land unlivable. This is no Mad Max, punk rock Armageddon, this is bleak, and quite painful.

   Threads used actually scientific advisors such as the late Carl Sagan to determine what would actually happen should this scenario play out, and used that to make everything more realistic. As much the film is a very dark, grim, and truly traumatizing viewing experience even for more seasoned viewers. There are images in this film that many will find hard to watch, and truly shocking even now 30+ years after the films original release.

Audio/Video (3.5/5)

    Severin Films presents Threads in a solid 1:33:1 1080p transfer that preserves the original OAR of the broadcast. This looks about as good as it should. It is grainy, there are moments of slight damage, as the film shows footage from a variety of sources, but overall detail is solid and the grim natural look of the film is replicated quite well here.

    Audio is handled by an English mono track and everything comes through clearly, and I could find no issues with the track.

Extras (3.5/5)

    The disc kicks off with a commentary featuring director Mick Jackson moderated by Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women author), and Severin's David Gregory). We also get interviews with the production designer, DP, and lead actress Karen Meagher.  There is also an excellent in-depth interview with Stephen Thrower, and a trailer for the film.

Overall

   Threads is an excellent, but shocking, truly scary, and disturbing film. The Blu-ray from Severin looks and sounds great, and has a great extras slate.  The film is not going to be for for everyone, but it is really a great film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who can take it.