The Day After 1983

A made-for-TV drama released in November 1983 is on record as the highest-rated television film in history as of 2009. This post-apocalyptic postulates a fictional war between NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact countries over Germany that rapidly escalates into a full-scale nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. The movie depicts the Dahlberg family of Harrisonville, Missouri preparing for their eldest daughter Denise’s wedding in two days. Mrs. Dahlberg goes about planning the wedding ignoring TV reports about the impending war. Minutes after her husband drags her to their basement shelter the nuclear missile silos which are situated on the family’s farm and others nearby begin firing missiles. Written by Edward Hume. Directed by Nicholas Meyer Starring Jason Robards, JoBeth Williams, Steve Guttenberg & John Lithgow Theme music composer David Raksin Producers Robert Papazian (producer) Stephanie Austin (associate producer) Cinematography Gayne Rescher Running time 126 minutes Production company: ABC Circle Films Distributor: ABC Motion Pictures Disney–ABC Domestic Television