COUNTDOWN TO ZERO traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT), the film features an array of important international statesmen — including President Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair – and makes a compelling case for worldwide nuclear disarmament.
“GRIPPING. SPINE-TINGLING. It’s the rare piece of political filmmaking that could unite the left and the right. It makes getting rid of nuclear weapons as less a ‘cause’ than an imperative.” –Entertainment Weekly
“EXHILARATING. Odd as it may sound, it’s a beautiful movie. It has a sense of rhythm, color and humanity and the editing is miraculous.” –-John Anderson, Wall Street Journal