20 Cult British Films You Need To See Before You Die

10. Threads (1984)

Young Sheffield lovers Jimmy and Ruth decide to get married after Ruth unexpectedly Falls pregnant. As they prepare for their nuptials and the birth of their child, the international political climate descends into chaos with both the USSR and the USA issuing dire threats until finally nuking each other. Threads follows the aftermath of the war on Sheffield and Jimmy's and Ruth's families. Nuclear Winter settles in and the British populace are in for hard times not seen since the Dark Ages. If Threads was made by director Mick Jackson to frighten the British viewing public, he succeeded mightily in this task. Essentially the British version of The Day After (which was said to have profoundly affected President Reagan when he watched it), Threads is even more sobering and probably closer to the truth in its depiction of nuclear apocalypse. The ghastly Protect and Survive information films play non stop on the TV in the run up to hostilities breaking out, lending a air of sober realism. Nobody can really believe war will occur - as Jimmy's workmate says in disbelief when he sees the mushroom cloud "They've done it! They've bloody done it!". Confusion, chaos and catastrophe are in abundance in Threads making it one cult film that will stick in your mind for ages after you watch it.