Countdown For America

Duration: 1200 ft.

Year Published: 1980

Complete Record: Charlton Heston narrates this propaganda documentary about the nuclear arms race. Footage of anti-nuclear peace protests, interviews with Casper Weinberger, Senator John Towers, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara about the Soviet Unions increase in spending on nuclear defense weaponry and conversely the U.S.’s decision to unilaterally cut military defense spending. Much stock footage of exploding missiles, U.S. and Soviet defense dirigibles, namely the extinct B-1 bomber and the Soviets’ “Backfire” supersonic bomber. Emphasis on advantages the Soviets have over U.S. defense thanks primarily to Carters massive freeze on defense spending. Scale models of ICBM missiles display a 6 to 1 advantage of Soviet missiles over U.S. missiles. Stock footage of mobile ICBM missiles being launched. Shots of U.S. submarines in stasis. Comparisons between U.S. and Soviet naval capabilities. Cut to a parade of happy innocent children, civilians raising flags, a toddler holding his mothers hand with the voiceover;” You are playing a very important role in U.S. strategy, that of NUCLEAR HOSTAGE”. Cut to footage of Soviet civilians then to bombers colliding and destroying each other with missiles mid-flight. Animation of Soviet anti-satellite weapons designed to destroy our U.S. satellites as well animation of particle beam and laser weapons to destroy our weapons in space. President Reagan speaks about unilateral restraints in U.S. defense spending, contrasting it to an increase in Soviet defense spending. Heavy-handed charts and graphs comparing U.S. vs. Soviet defense spending are superimposed over footage of missiles being launched, bombers taking flight. Casper Weinberger speaks about the Soviets’ “protracted nuclear war”. Shots of mushroom clouds, nuclear destruction, giant missiles being strategically locked into position. Nixon and unnamed Soviet diplomat shake hands. Carter and same Soviet shake hands. Voiceover states Salt One and Salt Two treaties lock U.S. into no-defense strategy. John Towers and Rep. Bill Chapell interviewed about Soviets historically taking advantage of assault agreements. More footage of peace protests, Major General Richard X. Larkin speaks about Soviets ‘World Peace Council’ orchestrating the nuclear freeze movement describing it as a front organization instrumental in organizing U.S. peace protests, he claims protesters are kept unaware of Soviet involvement in manipulating the “peace movement”. More missile footage, graphs. Back to Charlton Heston defending the idea of a reduction in nuclear arms not a freeze. Military planes soar triumphantly overhead. Civilians walk urban streets presented as potential victims of nuclear war. Pope John Paul 2 parades down European streets,prays in red carpeted church, voiceover states he has been quoted as saying peace agreements made by totalitarian regimes are false agreements. Reagan speaks again about freedom vs. tyranny. Shots of Capitol Hill , Resolution of Peace through strength treaties signed by House of Representatives and President Reagan displayed. Charlton Heston melodramatically speaks again about Soviets being ill-intended comparing them to the Nazis. John Towers makes request to U.S. citizens to send in opinions concerning peace through strength vs. a nuclear freeze. Soviet Flag waving, video 9213, 05:11:15:26