When films such as Dr. Strangelove and Fail Safe posited the possibility of nuclear destruction occurring by accident, through simple error on the part of man or machine, authorities went to great pains to reassure the public that measures were in place to prevent such catastrophic failures. However, in September 1983, a malfunction in the Soviet satellite system indicated a first strike against the country by the United States. It was only the actions of Soviet Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, who was convinced, rightly, that it was an error, that genuinely did prevent an all-out nuclear war. Peter Anthony’s engaging documentary gives credit to a man without whom human history would be horrifyingly different.

Screening as part of the Fallout season. Multi-film passes available from the IFI Box Office: 3 for €30, 5 for €50, and 12 for €100.

Notes by Kevin Coyne.