Director: Ray Milland
Screenplay: Jay Simms, John Morton
Based on Stories by: Ward Moore (uncredited)
Starring: Ray Milland, Jean Hagen, Frankie Avalon, Mary Mitchel, Joan Freeman, Richard Bakalyan, Rex Holman, Richard Garland, Willis Bouchey, Neil Burstyn
Country: USA
Running Time: 92 min
Year: 1962
BBFC Certificate: 15
Quite a few Hollywood stars from the Golden Age went on to direct films, but often they would only make one before going back to what they did best. One-time Oscar-winner Ray Milland was an actor who made the change and stuck it out though. Whilst he didn’t completely shift careers, he directed several films and a lot of TV between the mid-50s and early ‘60s. He did stop directing by 1962 though (other than one final effort at the end of that decade), perhaps due to being stuck working on independent movies after being part of the studio system.
Following this, Milland went on to a career as a supporting character actor in a wide range of films and TV shows until his death in 1986.
The penultimate film Milland directed and the one that ended his primary run behind the camera, was Panic in Year Zero! This was produced by the legendary independent production company American International Pictures (AIP), which was known for making ‘B-movies’. The film was playing on the fear of nuclear war that was creating a tense atmosphere in the US at the time. In fact, it was released just a couple of months before the Cuban missile crisis.
Radiance Films have turned their attention to Panic in Year Zero! and are releasing the film on Blu-ray in the UK. I got hold of a screener and prepared to duck and cover.
The setup for Panic in Year Zero! is a simple one. Milland himself plays Harry Baldwin, patriarch of the Baldwin family, which also includes wife Ann (Jean Hagen), son Rick (Frankie Avalon) and daughter Karen (Mary Mitchel). The four of them head off early one morning for a camping trip, with their caravan in tow.
However, whilst on the road, several nuclear warheads are dropped on their hometown of Los Angeles (along with other major cities around the world). Harry soon gets into action, doing all he can to help the family survive the difficult times that lie ahead, as the panic pushes some to looting, raping and murdering.
Panic in Year Zero! is not a subtle film. It’s rather exploitative and conservative, with a blunt message about protecting the family at all costs and killing any beatniks that get in your way. However, despite its heavy-handedness, the film remains a compelling watch.
What makes Panic in Year Zero! interesting is that it’s easy to see some of Milland’s actions as brutal and self-serving, when he pulls guns on shopkeepers and such, but, ultimately, he does everything for the safety of his family and for his own survival, so you can understand why he does it. These moral quandaries are the driving force of the film and make it fascinating from a “what would I do in that situation” perspective.
There are some pretty brutal moments too for the era, making for unsettling viewing at times. This is enhanced by the fact that, whilst the original Cold War era that inspired the film has been and gone, there are now new threats to our safety (some from familiar sources) and the thought that nuclear warfare could bring an end to much of life as we know it hasn’t dissipated.
Unfortunately, the film too often shows its age and budget to be wholly successful. I wouldn’t say Milland was a masterful director, with the drama feeling quite clunky in places. It all looks rather flat too, more like a TV show than a film. In his commentary, Richard Harland Smith explains how he likes this, as it gives the film a documentary look, but I think the overuse of obvious studio sets spoils that.
Overall then, Panic in Year Zero! is not subtle and has dated somewhat but remains a compelling curiosity. With the threat of nuclear war still lingering now, the film is disturbingly relevant too. As such, it still has the power to shock, even if the approach lacks finesse and nuance.
Film: 
Panic in Year Zero! is out on 18th November on region B Blu-Ray, released by Radiance Films. The picture looks immaculate. The tonal balance is perfectly pitched, giving great depth. I’ve used screengrabs throughout this review to give you an idea of how it looks, though these have been compressed. The audio is solid too.
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
– Mastered in HD from the 35mm fine grain positive by MGM
– Uncompressed mono PCM audio
– Audio commentary by critic Richard Harland Smith (2016)
– New interview with Kim Newman (2024)
– Ray Milland archival interview (1972)
– Atomic Shock! – An interview with filmmaker Joe Dante (2016, 9 mins)
– Trailer
– Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
– Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by film critic Christina Newland
– Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
Richard Harland Smith provides a commentary on the disc. It’s a strong track, with plenty of background on those involved in making the film. He also talks about the history of atomic warfare and how that inspired films like this.
There’s also a half-hour archival interview with Milland. He talks about how he accidentally fell into acting as well as discussing his work as a director. He describes Panic as the one he’s most proud of. It’s an enjoyable piece.
Kim Newman provides a 20-minute interview about Milland too. It’s an enjoyable journey through the actor-turned-director-turned-actor-again’s long and varied career.
There’s also a short interview with Joe Dante, who provides a rapid-fire breakdown of the film’s background and what makes it worthwhile. It’s a valuable cover-all piece.
I wasn’t provided with a copy of the booklet to comment on that, unfortunately.
Overall, it’s an excellent package supporting a film that may feel dated in some ways but is still worth watching.
Disc/package:
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