The War Game
“BBC TV's film about a nuclear attack on Britain”
Synopsis
A hypothetical Chinese invasion of South Vietnam triggers a new world war between East and West. In Rochester, Kent, the anticipation of a nuclear attack leads to mass evacuations. When a stray missile explodes, the ensuing firestorm blinds all those who see it. It's not long before the fabric of society is ripped apart from radiation poisoning, a lack of infrastructure and rioting for food and other necessities.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2026-05-05
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Peter Watkins
- Screenplay & Story
- Peter Watkins
- Original Title
- The War Game
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 48m
- Production Studios
- BBC
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Peter Watkins
Peter Watkins
Peter Bartlett
Michael Bradsell
Peter Watkins
Department Leadership Roster
Peter Watkins
Director
Peter Watkins
Producer
Peter Bartlett
Director of Photography
Michael Bradsell
Editor
Tony Cornell
Production Design
Anne Davey
Production Design
Vanessa Clarke
Costume Design
Peter Watkins
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The War Game.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The War Game.
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (All editions 2003-2024). A cumulative list including films subsequently removed in later editions. Totaling 1,260 films as of Nov 2024. 《1001部死前必看的电影》（2003-2024 全版本累积版）： 包含自2003年首版至2024年11月德语版修订的所有影片。即使在后期版本中被剔除的电影也予以保留。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#019] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#418] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-19 07:37:48 UTC+8)*
Documentaries
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Limelight Not Seen
Movie Collection 2
Apocalypse
The end of the world as we know it, and what comes after. Civilisation-wide collapse, mass extinction, the imminent end, and survival or rebuilding after catastrophe. Comedy, romance, horror, animation, action and disaster all welcome. A local disaster, ordinary dystopia, or incidental world-ending stakes alone is insufficient. Mainly English-language, with selected international exceptions. Individually selected films, not automatic franchise imports. Independently curated using BFI end-of-world and post-apocalyptic selections, with film-by-film editorial additions. Not an official BFI list.
Limelight Not Seen
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Frequently Asked Questions About The War Game
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The War Game about?
A hypothetical Chinese invasion of South Vietnam triggers a new world war between East and West. In Rochester, Kent, the anticipation of a nuclear attack leads to mass evacuations. When a stray missile explodes, the ensuing firestorm blinds all those who see it. It's not long before the fabric of society is ripped apart from radiation poisoning, a lack of infrastructure and rioting for food and other necessities.
Who directed The War Game?
The War Game was directed by Peter Watkins.
Who stars in The War Game?
The principal cast of The War Game includes Michael Aspel, Kathy Staff, Peter Watkins, Peter Graham, Dave Baldwin.
When was The War Game released and how long is it?
The War Game was released in 1966 with a total runtime of 48m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The War Game?
The War Game holds official age classifications: GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.).