Reweaving Threads

Posted: 23rd September 2024

40 years ago, a BBC film showing the grim reality of a post-nuclear world terrified a generation. Jude Rogers meets its cast and crew to unravel why it still haunts so many today. It was a film that spawned a thousand nightmares, including the most terrifying traffic warden. When the Cold War film Threads was broadcast on BBC Two on the evening of Sunday 23rd September, many across the nation didn’t sleep. Directed by Mick Jackson and written by Barry Hines, Threads explored what would happen if a nuclear bomb went off in the city of Sheffield. The BBC production did what no other film had done to date – showing the grim reality of life after a nuclear attack in painstakingly researched and horrifying detail. On a tiny budget and reliant on hundreds of willing extras from the city of Sheffield, Threads painted a picture so chilling that its images of melting milk bottles, urinating women, and the bleak wind of a nuclear winter have been branded into the memories of many of those who watched it when it was broadcast, or who have seen it since. Jude Rogers saw Threads in the 1990s, when nuclear war seemed like a distant nightmare. She was drawn to the cult status of the film and the community of “Threads Heads” who re-watch it, discuss it, dissect it. But in today’s world, with wars raging and increasing political instability and unrest, some believe Threads is starting to feel eerily relevant again. With an original soundtrack from Jim Jupp of Belbury Poly, Jude speaks to the cast and crew of Threads, as well as those who’ve been fascinated by it since, to explore how Threads was made, and how it has haunted so many in the forty years since. Featuring: Mick Jackson, the director Jan Nethercot, Head of Make Up on Threads Reece Dinsdale, who played Jimmy Catherine Taylor, who was an extra on Threads Dave Forrest, Professor of English at the University of Sheffield Sylvan Baker, Senior Lecturer at the Central School for Speech and Drama Craig Ian Mann and Rob Nevitt, filmmakers Neil Kinnock, former Leader of the Labour Party. With thanks to Roger Bolton, Karen Meagher, and Jim Jupp. Presented by Jude Rogers Produced by Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Steven Rajam Soundtrack credit: Jim Jupp of Belbury Poly. Image Credit: Catrin James An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00236xg