This film is part of Free
A Short Vision
The animated short on the terrors of nuclear apocalypse that become a sensation when it played on the Ed Sullivan show, leaving middle America highly disturbed.
Overview
This British animated short, by Hungarian-born Peter Foldes and his wife Joan is a stunningly drawn allegory for the terrors of nuclear apocalypse. It became an overnight sensation when it was broadcast on the Ed Sullivan show on May 27th 1956, with little forewarning of the disturbing imagery that lay ahead, leading to outrage and alarm from the press and public.
It remains one of the most memorable and artistically conveyed depictions of nuclear Armageddon, despite never explicitly referencing atomic warfare.
Related
Aerial Submarine A Startling Forecast. Piracy in Sea and Air Aerial Submarine A Startling Forecast. Piracy in Sea and Air
Science Fiction 1910 9 mins Silent
Follow two kidnapped children on a surreal pirate adventure in this 'trick' sci-fi fantasy.
The Airship Destroyer The Airship Destroyer
Science Fiction 1909 10 mins Silent
England faces aerial invasion in this entertaining Edwardian science fiction fantasy.
Ever Been Had Ever Been Had
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1917 9 mins Silent
Blackly comic cartoon portrait of an apocalyptic England, destroyed 50 years after signing a premature peace in WWI.
Everything but Everything in Bri-nylon Everything but Everything in Bri-nylon
Industry sponsored film 1959 20 mins
50s fashion meets carpet kitsch in a futuristic fantasy of domestic bliss - courtesy of versatile, magical Bri-Nylon.
Fugitive Futurist Fugitive Futurist
Science Fiction 1924 12 mins
An on-the-run inventor claims to have invented a camera which looks into the future, showing a grim destiny for London landmarks like Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square.
High Treason (sound version) High Treason (sound version)
Science Fiction 1929 68 mins
Extravagantly-mounted futuristic sci-fi, now with added sound, although still with the world's two power blocs at loggerheads.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.