To those who have happened upon this site after searching for things apocalyptic, welcome. I hope you find something here of use or interest. These are some answers to the following question:
"I'm interested in post-nuclear holocaust and other End of the World novels, comics, films and TV shows. Anyone got any good examples?"
Further contributions are more than welcome. Please email me. If you'd like to go to the first page of the site, it's here.
Some suggestions in:
Alan from Glastonbury (5.07)
TV series
Try "Timeslip" available on DVD - Geographic reconstruction. False
global warming theory.
"The Changes" - Merlinus sum est-qui me tangit turbum mundum.
"Not with a Bang" - never repeated - starring the excellent Ronald
Pickup - serious comedy.
"Sky" - Conflict between Earth and Sky forces" HTV - Repeated
once, Stonehenge=Juganet.
Book
"That Hideous Strength" - CS Lewis - amazingly prophetic, written
50 years ago.
Stuart Gilbert (7.06)
Testament is a 1983 film directed by Lynne Littman and starring Jane Alexander.
Other actors include William Devane, Rossie Harris, Roxana Zal, Lukas Haas,
Philip Anglim, Lilia Skala, Leon Ames, Kevin Costner, and Rebecca De Mornay.
The film tells the story of how one small bay area town near San Francisco slowly
falls apart after a nuclear war destroys outside civilization.
The script was written by Carol Amen and John Sacret Young. Jane Alexander was
nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
Adrian Paul (3.06):
Memoirs of a Survivor by Doris Lessing (also a film version with Julie
Christie)
The Planet of the Apes films & TV series?
Survivors - excellent 1970s TV series about small groups of people
trying to re-build society after everyone else dies following release of
deadly virus. (Contains prescient but early Sinophobic theme that nasty
west-threatening diseases come from China cf bird-flu.)
Muriel King (8.05):
I don't know if you're still interested in references to post-nuclear novels
or
end of the world novels, but I read a pretty good one some time ago by Margaret
Atwood called Oryx and Crake and I thought it was very good.
J Walker (12.04):
I know it's a long time ago since the question was posted, but I've only
just discovered the site! There's a novel for young adults called 'The
Chrysalids', by John Wyndham, about a group of kids who are
post-nuclear-winter, and can communicate telepathically.
There's another series that is quite
similar by Isobel Carmody called 'the Farseekers', also about
post-nuclear telepathy, but the Wyndham is the definitive one for me.
T. Moss (11.04):
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban
Ben O (6.1.04)
Raymond Briggs' comic When the Wind Blows makes me cry every time I read it.
The Bloggs never have any clear idea of what or why the bomb happens to them.
There's also a film version, but I've never been able to force myself to watch
it.
The Atomic Cafe isn't post-Apocalypse, but through clips of 40s
and 50s American documentaries and songs does seem to show how the world might
end.
I've never read it, but a friend recommended Dr Bloodmoney by
Philip K Dick, which is set after a nuclear war. Apparently there's an
astronaut character trapped in orbit around the earth who makes radio
broadcasts, and becomes a DJ for the people below.
Henry R.S. (14.9.03)
Apocalyptic:
Movies: Mad Max trilogy, George A. Romero's 'Dead' trilogy, 'The Omega Man','The
Last Man On Earth', 'Soy leyenda', 'Water World', 'The Postman', 'The Rapture',
'Apocalypse' series ('Apocalypse','Revelation', 'Tribulation', 'Judgement',
'Deceived'), 'End Of Days', 'Omen I, II, III + IV', 'Urotsukidoji' series, 'Deep
Impact', 'Holocaust 2000', 'In The Aftermath', 'Lifeforce', 'The Rollerblade
Seven' (which has to be seen as it is the worst film ever made!), 'Terminator'
trilogy, 'The Day After', 'Reign Of
Fire', '28 Days Later'.
But I reckon the best is a little known Kiwi film called 'Quiet Earth'.
Books: 'The Book Of Revelation' St. John, Richard Matheson's 'I am Legend' (the
basis for the following films: 'Omega Man', 'The Last Man On Earth' and 'Soy
leyenda' and there was supposed to be a version with Arnie in but as he's trying
to be the first President born outside the USA...). Stephen King's 'The Stand',
John Christopher's 'Tripod Trilogy',
TV: Tripods, The Stand, (I'm sure there are more but I think I've had
cortical burnout)
Comics: Alan Moore's 'Watchmen' and DC's 'Crisis On Infinite Earths'
Music: Diamond Dogs - David Bowie
Mark Streatfield (9.03)
I didn't really need to put the subject title in as the title of the film is
quite self explanatory - Until the End of the World by Wim Wenders, probably
one of my favourite films along with The Ice Storm.
William (6.03):
My favorite end of the world (well...not particularly THE end) film:
SOYLENT GREEN!
Others: SILENT RUNING, PLANET OF THE APES (scene with the Statue of Liberty!)
For what's its worth...
Peter (6.03): The only suchlike that come to mind off the top of my head are
"A Boy And His Dog" by Harlan Ellison (novella and movie), "The
Atomic Knights" (DC Comics series from the '60s), and a short story called
I think "By The Rivers Of Babylon" by Howard Fast. A contemporary
End Of The World show in "Jeremiah," produced by "Babylon 5"'s
creator J. Michael Straczynski.
"Jeremiah" is based on Hermann's Belgian comic series "The Survivors."
There's also the ultra-violent Buronson manga epic "Fist Of The North Star."
Wobbly titles (aka I'm not sure if these count) are "Two" (original
"Twilight Zone" TV episode about two soldiers in post-Holocaust Earth),
"Davy" and "The Company Of Glory" by Edgar Pangborn, and
"The Bed-Sitting Room" (film that Spike Milligan was involved with).
Hope this helps.
Charlotte (6.03):
End of the world stuff:
I wrote some bits on my website.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/charlottecooper/charlotte/docs/archive/protectandsurvive.htm
I really encourage you to visit Kelevdon Hatch
http://www.japar.demon.co.uk/page2.html
Douglas Coupland also has a good short story about the world ending in Life
After God, and his novel Girlfriend in a Coma is post-apocalyptic too.