Rocket Attack U.S.A.

Rocket Attack U.S.A., also known as Five Minutes to Zero, is a 1958 propaganda espionage/science fiction film produced, directed and edited by Barry Mahon who intended to exploit the launching of Sputnik.[1]

Rocket Attack U.S.A.
Directed byBarry Mahon
StarringJohn McKay
Monica Davis
CinematographyMike Tabb
Distributed byExploit Films
Release date
1958
Running time
68 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Premise

American secret agents John and Tanya are sent to the USSR after British agents relay information on a Russian plot to bomb America. The duo discover that the Soviets intend launching an ICBM sneak attack against the United States on the night that they arrive. The Russians are using information gathered by Sputnik to plan the attack, and as the American spies' attempt to sabotage one rocket fails, they are shot.

Back in the United States, as the missile closes in, a radio reporter stays on the air to assist those threatened in this emergency as American defense missiles prove too slow to defend the country. The reporter's wife knows this will be his death sentence. As Manhattan is hit and 3 million are killed, a general bemoans the lack of a functioning ICBM missile defense system. The efforts to strengthen the US defense system were unsuccessful owing to limited funding and effort. The US retaliation is expected to be minimal as the Russian defenses have been properly funded and maintained. The end title begs the audience not to let this be the end.[2]

Cast
  • John McKay as John Manston
  • Monica Davis as Tanya/Tannah
  • Daniel Kern
  • Edward Czerniuk
  • Phillip St. George as General Walker

Reception

The Albany Herald stated the movie is so melodramatic and with such hilariously bad dialogue that it has developed a cult following[3] while The Meridian Record-Journal found that it was among the worst movies produced. In Apocalypse Then[4] the movie was found to be full of cheapness and histrionics, and despite being a sincere attempt, the movie is padded and some of the special effects are literally cartoons. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction found the movie of interest only as an example of US paranoia over Communism in the 1950s. [5]

It featured on a 1986 episode of Canned Film Festival[6] and a 1990 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (the latter which included the first use of the "stinger"). [7][8]

Home media

It was included as part of the Sci Fi Invasion DVD set released by Mill Creek Entertainment[9] and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XXVII set.[10]

References
  1. Peters, Jennifer (3 March 1991). "How we see Soviets: 60 years of U.S. views on film". The Albany Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. TCM.com
  3. The Albany Herald - Google News Archive Search
  4. Bogue, Mile (2017) Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967
  5. Media: Rocket Attack U.S.A.: SFE: Science Fiction Encyclopedia
  6. The Times-News - Google News Archive Search
  7. Pardi, Robert (23 August 1986). "'Canned Festival' Spoofs TV's Worst". Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina). Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  8. Schwed, Mark (8 June 1986). "Worst of horrors goes late night". Record-Journal. New York. UPI. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  9. Amazon.com: Sci-Fi Invasion - 50 Movie Pack
  10. MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: VOLUME XXVII (DVD)|Film Threat
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