hyped garbage

Good concept, poorly executed.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

We have a tendency to deal in superlatives today, but this 1988 documentary delivers a most powerful witness to the destructive power of atomic energy. One requires a knowledge of history to realize that the atomic tests on the island of Bikini in the Marshall Islands actually occurred AFTER the end of World War II, brought on by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. This documentary in large part is presented through the recollections of two individuals present at the time, Chief Kilon Bauno of Bikini Island, and John Smitherman, a 1946 veteran of the nuclear tests conducted on the island.The documentary is presented in relatively straightforward fashion, though anti-war activists will find plenty of fodder here to condemn the use of atomic energy for wartime purposes. In fact, Vice Admiral Blandy who supervised the testing actually called for the atomic bomb to be outlawed by the nations of the world after witnessing it's devastating effects. One of the more interesting aspects of the film offers Albert Einstein in a very brief appearance commenting on the destiny of mankind resting on the use of nuclear energy.As a historical document, the film merits the highest of accolades. I've watched any number of documentary series on the subject of World War II, but this glimpse at the nature of atomic energy offers a compelling argument against it's destructive power, even as rogue nations like Iran and North Korea relentlessly march toward nuclear capability for reasons they no longer maintain a secrecy. Truly mankind's destiny hangs in a precarious balance.

This is just the second episode of PBS's "The American Experience"--and the series is still going strong in its 24th season! That's because the shows are so freaking good--exceptionally well made and often telling stories about American history that would otherwise never be known or doing in-depth biographies that are about as good as you can find.For those familiar with "The American Experience", you'll no doubt notice that the style of this particular episode is different. It is NOT narrated but consists of film footage and radio commentary from the day.In 1946, the US detonated a test atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific--it was the fourth atomic bomb detonated. Near the island were various obsolete ships from the war and on the decks of the ships were various animals to be used to determine the effects of the blast. Twenty miles away, ships with US sailors and various international dignitaries were stationed to view the detonation and examine the aftereffects. And, back in the States, this experiment was broadcast to the nation.Watching the film footage is pretty strange. While I'd seen much of this before, seeing sailors sitting on the decks of ship covering their heads as their only protection seemed pretty insane--as did watching some of the big-wigs actually watching the blast with goggles!! Even weirder were interviews where folks expressed disappointment in the blast and one of them wishing they'd been stationed much closer!! Clearly they had no idea of the effects of nuclear fallout! I assume the show is called "Radio Bikini" because portions of the show are rebroadcasts of the original radio program. It's interesting that some of the broadcast is very patronizing when it discussed the natives of the island--like they are simple-minded children.All in all, a very freaky documentary--one that manages to hit you like a baseball bat even though it is very unconventional in style--especially when one of the observers is shown decades later and you see the bomb's effects on him! This ending is just like the one in the horrifying documentary "Radium City". You can't help but watch--it's just so awful and amazing from start to finish--and a bit sad when you hear the natives talking about how they cannot return home decades following the blast.

I'll give this one a 10; I wish I'd seen this years ago. The film documents the decision to make the tests, the deportation of the Bikini Islanders to a much smaller island that couldn't support them, the tests themselves, and the aftermath. The latter is poignantly shown by the interview with a naval veteran, Mr. John Smitherman, who witnessed the tests and was poisoned with radiation and lived out his later years suffering horrendously. His injuries are the stuff of some nightmare science-fiction film. Unfortunately, they weren't fictional.There is some footage of Admiral William Blandy, USN, who carried out the tests. I've been told that he became contaminated at the Baker test as well. He died only 8 years later.The naive stupidity of the Navy is paraded for all to see. For me, the most haunting moment is at the end, where we hear Mr. Smitherman's voice-- we see sailors sitting and talking, and some look at the camera while grinning, while over all of this plays haunting, dirge-like music that brings home the truth of Mr. Smitherman's remarks: Crossroads was undoubtedly the beginning of a hideous slow death for many of these people.

I saw this film while living in the Marshall Islands, the same country as Bikini. The name Bikini is becoming lost in the world conscience and few of the younger people I've met know that it is an island or that atomic tests were performed there. It is deeply disturbing, but every high school or college student should see this film.A sequel to this short film should be made on the long term impacts to the islanders and then re-released as documentary in two parts.