Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Dark Circle

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Dark Circle 1982 1h 22m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Documentarians uncover unsafe conditions and disturbingly high plutonium levels that may explain the mysterious health problems experienced by employees of and local residents near the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility in Colorado. Locals share harrowing stories of cancer, birth defects and damage to crops and livestock. They struggle to be heard in the face of a pro-industry group that sees any criticism of the plant -- which has injected the economy with much-needed jobs -- as un-American.

Where to Watch

Dark Circle

Critics Reviews

View More
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jun 19, 2018
4/4
Dark Circle, which is one of the most horrifying films I've seen, also sometimes is one of the funniest (if you can laugh at the same things in real life that you found amusing in Dr. Strangelove). Go to Full Review
Glenn Dunks The Film Experience Nov 2, 2020
Through rigorous investigative filmmaking and sly shifts in tone, this 1982 Emmy-winner is another great addition to '80s atomic cinema. Go to Full Review
Ross Anthony Hollywood Report Card Aug 26, 2020
3/4
While not uplifting, Dark Circle engages at every turn. It's an important film ... Go to Full Review
Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema Aug 25, 2020
4/5
Engrossing filmmaking about a subject more terrifying than a Hollywood horror film. Go to Full Review
Louis Proyect Counterpunch.org Aug 21, 2020
The best case for abolishing nuclear power plants is made: without the plutonium waste, there can be no nuclear weapons. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Apr 20, 2011 Judy Irving's documentary about the atomic bomb is not only moving but also very serious in its nature. With interviews and archive footage to back up its argument, Dark Circle is one documentary that will make a deep impact on any viewer. For my full review of Dark Circle (1982), check it out on this IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162269/reviews-5 See more
Oct 31, 2008 i want more! this is a fascinating film with lots of great stock footage of nuclear tests and fallout. a terrifying glimpse of our future. i'm watching it again right now. See more
Read all reviews
Dark Circle

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Judy Irving

Director

Chris Beaver

Director

Ruth Landy

Director

Judy Irving

Narrator

Chris Beaver

Writer

Judy Irving

Writer
View All

Dark Circle

Dark Circle: Trailer 1 Dark Circle: Trailer 1 2:18 Now Playing View more videos
View All

Dark Circle

Dark Circle (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Documentarians uncover unsafe conditions and disturbingly high plutonium levels that may explain the mysterious health problems experienced by employees of and local residents near the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility in Colorado. Locals share harrowing stories of cancer, birth defects and damage to crops and livestock. They struggle to be heard in the face of a pro-industry group that sees any criticism of the plant -- which has injected the economy with much-needed jobs -- as un-American.
Director
Judy Irving, Chris Beaver, Ruth Landy
Producer
Chris Beaver, Judy Irving
Screenwriter
Chris Beaver, Judy Irving
Production Co
Independent Documentary Group
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Aug 21, 2020
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 18, 2021
Runtime
1h 22m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings