How 'The Day After' Changed The Way Americans Considered the Dangers of Nuclear War

All Of It with Alison Stewart | Jun 12, 2025

On November 20, 1983, over one hundred million Americans tuned into ABC to watch a television movie that had a crucial impact on how the country thought about the danger of nuclear weapons. "The Day After" starred Jason Robards, and was set in Lawrence, Kansas. The movie imagined what might happen if nuclear war was to break out, and it didn't hold back on showing realistic and gruesome details. Film Forum is now screening a documentary, "Television Event," about the making of the infamous film. Director Jeff Daniels discusses one of the most controversial movies ever made and listeners share their memories of seeing "The Day After" for the first time.

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