Dark Circle

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2:18

Dark Circle

1982

1h 22m

Documentary

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Documentarians uncover unsafe conditions and disturbingly high plutonium levels that may explain the mysterious health problems experienced by employees of and local residents near the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility in Colorado. Locals share harrowing stories of cancer, birth defects and damage to crops and livestock. They struggle to be heard in the face of a pro-industry group that sees any criticism of the plant -- which has injected the economy with much-needed jobs -- as un-American.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Dark Circle, which is one of the most horrifying films I've seen, also sometimes is one of the funniest (if you can laugh at the same things in real life that you found amusing in Dr. Strangelove).

Rated: 4/4

Jun 19, 2018

Full Review

Glenn Dunks

The Film Experience

Through rigorous investigative filmmaking and sly shifts in tone, this 1982 Emmy-winner is another great addition to '80s atomic cinema.

Nov 2, 2020

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Ross Anthony

Hollywood Report Card

While not uplifting, Dark Circle engages at every turn. It's an important film ...

Rated: 3/4

Aug 26, 2020

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

Engrossing filmmaking about a subject more terrifying than a Hollywood horror film.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 25, 2020

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Louis Proyect

Counterpunch.org

The best case for abolishing nuclear power plants is made: without the plutonium waste, there can be no nuclear weapons.

Aug 21, 2020

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Audience Member

Judy Irving's documentary about the atomic bomb is not only moving but also very serious in its nature. With interviews and archive footage to back up its argument, Dark Circle is one documentary that will make a deep impact on any viewer. For my full review of Dark Circle (1982), check it out on this IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162269/reviews-5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

i want more! this is a fascinating film with lots of great stock footage of nuclear tests and fallout. a terrifying glimpse of our future. i'm watching it again right now.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Judy Irving

Director

Chris Beaver

Director

Ruth Landy

Director

Judy Irving

Narrator

Chris Beaver

Writer

Judy Irving

Writer

Dark Circle: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Documentarians uncover unsafe conditions and disturbingly high plutonium levels that may explain the mysterious health problems experienced by employees of and local residents near the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility in Colorado. Locals share harrowing stories of cancer, birth defects and damage to crops and livestock. They struggle to be heard in the face of a pro-industry group that sees any criticism of the plant -- which has injected the economy with much-needed jobs -- as un-American.

Director: Judy Irving, Chris Beaver, Ruth Landy
Producer: Chris Beaver, Judy Irving
Screenwriter: Chris Beaver, Judy Irving
Production Co: Independent Documentary Group
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2020
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2021
Runtime: 1h 22m

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