The Russians Are Coming - (Only Fools and Horses episode)

Another notable episode from the first series of "Only Fools and Horses" is "The Russians Are Coming", in which the Trotters build their own nuclear fall-out shelter.

The premise of "The Russians Are Coming" is not exactly original, as lots of movies, television shows, comedies and the like were eagerly tapping into unease and paranoia about the Cold War and nuclear weapons in the early and mid-1980s. In the event, this episode contains some of the most affecting observations and passages of any of the show's plot-lines. Their impact and poignancy is perhaps heightened by the humour with which they are surrounded and occasionally clothed.

The plot stems from a business deal concluded by Del, a by-product of which results in him inadvertently "acquiring" an experimental "do it yourself" atomic fall-out shelter. The family decides to assemble it and spend some time living in it, as their own form of emergency planning.

Following an amusing effort to replicate the panic of the four-minute warning, and a simulation of the journey to a prospective location of refuge, the story really takes off when Del, Rodney and Grandad are safely ensconced in the shelter itself. The logistics and practicalities of surviving Armageddon are the source of some good, strong material. The highlight is perhaps Grandad's monologue about the true nature and horrors of war, delivered to chastise and rebuke Del for some of his excessively gung-ho and glib talk on the subject.

Whenever the subject matter threatens to become too serious and heavy, John Sullivan's comedic genius kicks in, and the mood lightens. The "captive" situation in the shelter creates an atmosphere conducive to sharp, taut and rich exchanges, and all three of the actors are on fine form, with great use of lighting to accentuate the intimacy. There is a noticeable absence of filler or padding in the script, and the shelter sequences are indeed very concentrated, fluent and absorbing. A real high point of the early days of OFAH, on more than one level.

Some speculation on the likely social consequences of a nuclear war adds to this episode's resonance and charm. Besides the humorous ruminations on the likely effects of the feared catastrophe, this is an intelligent and finely judged piece of work, addressing a difficult and emotive topic with more simplicity ,honesty and acuity than many more "serious" works arising from that era. It is also highly entertaining and funny.

WarGames - (1983 movie) - review

Over three years ago now, I wrote an article about the 1983 movie WarGames , but much of that post was taken up with my incoherent ramblings about Cold War politics and the like. So here are some more random thoughts about this film, which remains one of my favourites from the 1980s....

To recap, WarGames tells the story of David Lightman, a high school student who inadvertently hacks into the American nuclear defence system.

The opening scenes, showing the launch procedure which turned out to be a drill, are taut with tension and drama. There is great use of lighting and close-up shots of the actors. I always get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when watching this scene, imagining the inner thoughts of people caught up in that situation, no matter how well trained they are.

Aside from the subject matter, the centrepiece of the picture for me is the very mature performance of Matthew Broderick as David Lightman. He is a rounded and likeable character, and perhaps not the stereotypical "nerd" in some respects.  Yes, he has some of the characteristics of a nerd, but in other ways not, for example in his ability to impress and attract Jennifer (Ally Sheedy). The chemistry between the two young actors helps to carry the movie.

David's attitude towards authority figures, such as teachers and his parents, is intriguing. The sign on his bedroom door (This Is A Secure Area - Authorized Entry Only - No Exceptions) illustrates this point. Occasional insolence and mild rebellion, added to more passive gestures of defiance and individuality?

If the portrayal of American high school life in the 1980s was in any way accurate, then I must conclude that I was born on the wrong side of the Atlantic. I would dearly love to have been able to go to school in a tee-shirt and jeans, and not the dreary uniform that I was forced to wear here in England. Also, the school buildings in the movie looked much more inviting than the dilapidated mausoleum in which much of my education took place.

It is easy, especially in hindsight, to make pedantic "technical" queries about the accuracy or plausibility of things which happen in the film, and how the computing environment of the early 1980s was depicted. Was David's computer stuff cobbled together from kit-form purchases, second hand gear, and so forth?  His equipment was certainly superior to anything which myself or any of my peers had at home. David clearly knew people who worked in I.T., as evidenced by the amusing scene where he consults two friends at a local company.

There were bits of the film which I really identified with from my own youth. The scene at the dinner table where David is reading a computer magazine, oblivious to parental strictures, reminds me of the days when I would bury myself in those magazines, and the adverts, promising imminent delights, were sometimes more diverting than the actual content.

Back in the day, we had heard about the sort of activities which David was engaging in, although it all seemed rather remote and exotic. One or two friends of mine had outlandish plans to run modems with primitive home computers such as the Sinclair ZX81. However, at the end of the day, all we wanted to do was play games...

The scenes in David's room, when he and Jennifer are fooling around on the machine, are delightfully executed. Lighting, reflections and sound effects are all cleverly used to envoke that seductive world.

The odd little touch stands out in the film. When David and Jennifer first break into the defence system, and the list of games appears on the screen, there is a slight pause, and a gap, before the title "Global Thermonuclear War" comes up. A sense of foreboding is created, and this initiates the next phase of the movie.

A word too about the electronic music which appears throughout WarGames. This type of music was still quite a rarity in movies back then, and it nicely complements the narrative and the subject matter.

Looking at the David Lightman character, he in many ways represents what I wished I'd been at that age. Self-sufficient, inquisitive , forever seeking out knowledge. His efforts in finding information about Falken, and then tracking him down towards the end of the film, show these qualities. Again, not as much an awkward, shy computer geek, as one smart kid.

Another notable scene involves a striking juxtaposition of emotions.  David returns home to be congratulated on his excellent grades (achieved in large part by hacking into the school's computer), whilst at the time same time seeing a television news report of the drama which he, unwittingly, had triggered.

The scene where he is arrested is also captured concisely and sharply. David emerges from a store, and suddenly various (what turn out to be FBI) men are closing in from all directions. One can sense his fear, anxiety and confusion, but as we see, his resourcefulness is not hindered for very long.

Some people have queried whether David would have been taken to the NORAD facility in the wake of his arrest. Surely he would have been transported to some FBI location? Admittedly, the method of his escape from the "mountain", blending in with a tour party, is also a little far-fetched. In the grand scheme of things, however, this does not spoil my enjoyment. This is entertainment, not a documentary.

I was seriously impressed at how David was able to memorize Falken's address. He only seemed to view it for barely a second or two on the terminal in McKittrick's office! Perhaps a photographic memory can be added to his formidable list of powers....

The WOPR (the big computer at the war room) clearly worked on the unimpeachable principle that processing power should be directly proportional to the number of brightly flashing coloured lights which it possesses...

Mention should also be made of perhaps the most visually appealing scene in the movie, the bit where David is dropped off by a splendid logging truck at a stunning location in the middle of nowhere, and proceeds to make a call from a 'phone box. By the way, where did Jennifer get the money to pay for their airline tickets?

The belated appearance of Falken "in the flesh" is a highlight, and adds some gravitas to the proceedings. The final scenes in the "war room" are brilliantly done.  Even though we kind of know the outcome, the tension is palpable.

An underrated film, this. I still love watching it. To me, it never gets old....

WarGames

Yesterday, I was sifting through some of my old DVDs (funny how even the term "DVD" now seems archaic in this digital age!), and found my copy of WarGames, the 1983 film about a teenager who inadvertently hacks into the US defence system, and almost triggers World War 3.  It got me thinking about my own shifting attitudes towards some of the issues which are thrown up by the movie.

In 1983, WarGames very much rode the "Zeitgeist", tapping into debate and anxiety triggered by the threat of nuclear war, and the increasing role of technology and computers in our lives.  The film was pertinent for me in both respects, as I was just beginning to become interested in computing, like most schoolboys of my generation.  Also, around that time I was flirting with CND, attending a meeting and mingling with a few members.

I later reverted to a more hawkish stance, and retained this until just a couple of years ago. I still acknowledge the imperatives and realities of the Cold War, and although it is tempting to conclude that the multilateralists "won" the argument, I am much more sympathetic now to the sentiments which the unilateralists were expounding in the early 1980s. I tend to question everything now, and would be much less easily taken in by the propaganda.

On the question of hacking, which WarGames also deals with, there was a feeling back then, and up until comparatively recently, that its exponents represented an inherent menace, and a danger to stability and order. I too subscribed to this view until recently. Now, hackers are increasingly seen in some quarters as protecting the liberty and interests of citizens, by exposing mis-deeds of officialdom, and combating centres of authority and power.  Of course, we would certainly not want hackers to trigger World War 3!

My feelings towards the military personnel also differ from before.  Before, I would have been reverential towards them, and other representatives of the state and authority.  These days my view is not exactly contemptuous, but definitely less deferential.  I am suspicious of motives, and assumptions of primacy, albeit still regarding these structures as necessary in some shape or form.  In 1983, the alternative was insidious, but legitimate questions still need to be posed.  Trust has to be earned, and unquestioning obedience is misguided and dangerous. It is foolhardy to put anyone on a pedestal.

Turning back to the movie itself, I thought it was unusual, in that it worked on several levels. Appealing to a younger audience, because of the technology and adventure elements, and empathy with the David Lightman character, but also posing questions about mankind's relationship with technology, and moral quandaries concerning our destructive tendencies.

Some might argue that the issues in this film are less relevant in an era when the Cold War is just a memory, and when computers are integral to all of our lives. However, the issues and dilemmas continue to fascinate and vex. Perhaps the themes are still more applicable to our current situation than we would care to admit....