Decade of Death

Public Shelter Organization and Staff

February 1963 •English

Created in 1963 at the height of the Cold War, this Civil Defense training film uses a dramatic premise to show how emergency staff should manage and organize a large public fallout shelter during a crisis. A Shelter Manager is shown immediately taking control of the situation in the shelter, speaking calmly to those who have made it into the facility, closing the door promptly once the shelter is full, and sticking to the "shelter plan" as the situation unfolds. Some of the areas discussed in this nuclear war drama are the safety plan, regular inspections, supervised public entry into shelters, ventilation, first aid, sanitation, fire prevention, decontamination of personnel, and more. "Shelter living is different," the Manager states, "But we have a trained staff that will make your stay in this shelter livable for us all."

Operations in Public Shelters

July 1963 •English

A heavily dramatized Civil Defense film that demonstrates how a public fallout shelter is supposed to function after a nuclear attack. This scenario takes place in a fictional any town called "Middlebury". The film describes the situation in a public shelter in Middlebury following an attack on the United States.

Faces of Death II

May 1981 •English

Brief scenes of death related material: mortuaries, accidents and police work are filmed by TV crews and home video cameras. Some of it is most likely fake, some not as much.

Life in the Fast Lane

September 1981 •English

Information film about freeways, their interchanges, and driving safely on them.

Lifesaving and Water Safety: Snorkeling Skills and Rescue Techniques

April 1972 •English

The film provides a comprehensive guide on snorkeling skills and rescue techniques, emphasizing the importance of proper equipment such as masks, snorkels, and fins. It discusses how to choose the right mask for comfort and fit, the proper use of snorkels, and techniques for clearing water from both masks and snorkels. The film also covers essential skills for entering the water safely, practicing buddy systems during snorkeling, and techniques for locating and rescuing submerged victims. It highlights the need for training and emphasizes that while these skills are crucial for rescue, they do not replace the need for a full certified course in skin diving.

Suddenly...And Without Warning

April 1971 •English

Coast Guard film about the importance of life jackets. Stresses safety in boating and shows how boating accidents can happen.

Le Mans 55, une tragédie française

April 2024 •French

The Le Mans race in 1955 made history through tragedy when more than 80 spectators were killed. Uncover the story of the crash that took the lives of so many and, to this day, looms over the world of motorsports.

Dead on Their Feet

January 1958 •English

A road safety film for pedestrians in city traffic. Demonstrates typical unsafe practices.

Suicide Trail

January 1960 •English

Shot with a big cowboy nod to the Western genre, this road safety film shows the danger of speeding on an unknown country road at night.

Mr. Death

June 2016 •Norwegian

An exclusive interview with Death as he goes about his everyday business.

Life or Death - EMT First Responders

March 1973 •English

This somewhat bizarre film about Emergency Medical Technicians or EMTs was produced and distributed by Film Commutators in Hollywood, California. The film dates to a time when ambulance crews were being replaced by paramedics / EMTs, who had sufficient training to make medical decisions and give on-scene care. The film makes a strong argument to decision makers in favor of upgrading from mere ambulance drivers to EMTs.

Your Chance to Live: Nuclear Disaster

February 1974 •English

Portrays the challenges of creating a film about nuclear disaster amid public apathy. It captures behind-the-scenes moments as the crew discusses the gravity of nuclear threats, the importance of preparation, and the emotional impact of a nuclear attack. The narrative emphasizes the need for individuals to take responsibility for their safety and community in the event of an attack, blending factual information with a call to action.

Your Chance to Live: Hurricane

March 1972 •English

Released by the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency in 1972, Your Chance to Live is a series of films which cover threatening events, from forest fires, to floods, tornadoes and nuclear disasters. Hurricane tells the story of two parents who revisit the beach town where their children were killed in a violent storm the previous summer.

Your Chance to Live: Flood

June 1973 •English

Dramatizes the plight of a young adventure seeker whose canoe is capsized by a wall of water during a flood. Shows community flood preparations, pointing out that a flood's predictability usually allows ample warning time to save lives. Designed to stimulate discussion on civil preparedness for floods

America's Dangerous Trucks

June 2023 •English

Investigating deadly truck accidents and the fight over measures that could save lives.

David And Jennifer Learn Their Kerb Drill

January 1960 •English

A road safety lesson using puppets and animation kindergarten age children.

Doorways To Danger

January 1990 •English

Dabbling in the occult is widespread and often thought of as harmless entertainment. But this video shows why it is dangerous to get involved with spiritism, fortune telling, witchcraft, magic, and Satanism. The program introduces the real life stories of those who have been involved in these activities and shows the way out based upon a Biblical perspective.

The Dangerous Stranger

February 1950 •English

In this film, a police officer tells children about the dangers of accepting rides or presents from strangers, and relates the unfortunate stories of several children who did and were never seen again.

Memento

December 1968 •English

Experimental short film about car wreckage and automobile safety.

Nevíme dne...

September 1946 •Czech