The Day After
“They told us it would be impossible to make this movie. They told us it would be impossible for you to watch it. We hope nothing is impossible.”
Synopsis
In the mid-1980s, the U.S. is poised on the brink of nuclear war. This shadow looms over the residents of a small town in Kansas as they continue their daily lives. Dr. Russell Oakes maintains his busy schedule at the hospital, Denise Dahlberg prepares for her upcoming wedding, and Stephen Klein is deep in his graduate studies. When the unthinkable happens and the bombs come down, the town's residents are thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Day After Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2009-01-23
Top Cast
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Jason Robards
Dr. Russell Oakes
JoBeth Williams
Nurse Nancy Bauer
Steve Guttenberg
Stephen Klein
John Cullum
Jim Dahlberg
John Lithgow
Joe Huxley
Bibi Besch
Eve Dahlberg
Lori Lethin
Denise Dahlberg
Amy Madigan
Alison Ransom
Jeff East
Bruce Gallatin
Georgann Johnson
Helen Oakes
William Allen Young
Airman Billy McCoy
Calvin Jung
Dr. Sam Hachya
Lin McCarthy
Dr. Austin
Dennis Lipscomb
Reverend Walker
Clayton Day
Dennis Hendry
Doug Scott
Danny Dahlberg
Ellen Anthony
Joleen Dahlberg
Kyle Aletter
Marilyn Oakes
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Nicholas Meyer
- Screenplay & Story
- Edward Hume
- Original Score
- David Raksin
- Original Title
- The Day After
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 7m
- Production Studios
- ABC Circle Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Nicholas Meyer
Edward Hume
David Raksin
Gayne Rescher, Neil Roach
Robert Florio, Paul Dixon, William Paul Dornisch
Robert Papazian
Department Leadership Roster
Gayne Rescher
Director of Photography
Nicholas Meyer
Director
Robert Papazian
Producer
David Raksin
Original Music Composer
Edward Hume
Writer
Robert Florio
Editor
Paul Stader
Stunt Coordinator
Paul Dixon
Editor
William Paul Dornisch
Editor
Peter Wooley
Production Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Day After.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Day After.
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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.
Apocalyptic, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Zombies & Etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Day After
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Day After about?
In the mid-1980s, the U.S. is poised on the brink of nuclear war. This shadow looms over the residents of a small town in Kansas as they continue their daily lives. Dr. Russell Oakes maintains his busy schedule at the hospital, Denise Dahlberg prepares for her upcoming wedding, and Stephen Klein is deep in his graduate studies. When the unthinkable happens and the bombs come down, the town's residents are thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.
Who directed The Day After?
The Day After was directed by Nicholas Meyer.
Who stars in The Day After?
The principal cast of The Day After includes Jason Robards, JoBeth Williams, Steve Guttenberg, John Cullum, John Lithgow.
When was The Day After released and how long is it?
The Day After was released in 1983 with a total runtime of 2h 7m.
Who composed the musical score for The Day After?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Day After was composed by David Raksin.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Day After?
The Day After holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); GB: 12 (Suitable only for 12 years and over.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).