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Season 1 – Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War Mar 2024 Documentary History War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A chronicle of Cold War history, from the development of the atomic bomb to the proliferation of nuclear weapons; includes an examination of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Dan Einav Financial Times 03/14/2024
4/5
Breadth does not come at the expense of analytical or emotive depth. Unlike Oppenheimer, the series looks beyond those who actively shaped seismic events to those helplessly caught in history. Go to Full Review Chris Vognar Rolling Stone 03/12/2024
However you define the Cold War’s parameters, Turning Point is a mighty feat of historical documentary storytelling. Go to Full Review Ed Power Daily Telegraph (UK) 03/12/2024
3/5
But if a useful companion piece to the Nolan epic, Brian Knappenberger’s documentary is also its negative image. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media 03/27/2024
It's a bit harrowing, but Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War is an informative and thought-provoking series that fans of historical and international politics will want to sink their teeth into. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider 03/13/2024
Turning Point: The Bomb And The Cold War isn’t going to make you feel better about the fate of the current world, but it does a good job of showing just how we got here and what might be in store. Go to Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) 03/12/2024
Essential viewing...Knappenberger continues to prove his talent for tracing intricate connections between events and other causes and effects as well as mixing rudimentary and advanced facts and analysis to offer something accessible to all audiences. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Per S @RT83737705 Dec 16 Institutional Insanity - a term used by Daniel Ellsberg, probably the most comprehensive way to express the nuclear arms race and ideological paranoia during the Cold War era - but though the wall and iron curtain are gone, it's by no means over yet. For those who can't see the present in a historical perspective, most of this documentary series is mandatory, and for many it's an emotional memory compilation, However, it's important to know and understand the whole face of reality, and the intro to each episode, solely refering to the Ukraine narrative, is too inadequate. There's a much wider perspective. - The Cold War was a global war, one rightly said, and while the Ukraine War is a product of the Cold War and Russian imperialism, still it's just a small part of the story. A number of ongoing conflicts and proxy wars have the same basic context, due to the big powers' and war industry's acting. When war criminals are handed the microphone, much of the objectivity gets lost. See more David E @RT04955819 Aug 29 We thought this was done very well, but not quite as good as some other WWII documentaries that we have watched. See more Daniel J @RT96717369 Jun 8 The typical "America is evil" message masquerading as a neutral documentary whose "experts" can't hide their contempt for anything that isn't communist. See more Heather B @Heather85 03/29/2025 This show answered so many questions I have had about American history. Explains in detail everything over the past 80. It is so good, a must see!! See more pthesmith T @RT04936252 08/25/2024 This is likely the most comprehensive documentary on the Cold War I have ever seen. It is absolutely brilliant. See more Dave D @RT49404360 07/24/2024 Phenomenal. You can't watch this history and not wonder why the hell we are the way we are, and if we'll ever learn. See more Read all reviews
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Volodymyr Selenskyi

Self

Jens Stoltenberg

Self

Robert Gates

Self

Condoleezza Rice

Self

Sarah Huisenga

Executive Producer

Jennifer Jo Janisch

Executive Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 12, 2024 The Sun Came Up Tremendous During World War II, the United States begins to work on a top-secret project that results in the atomic bombings on Japan, and a global conflict lasting decades. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 12, 2024 Poisoning the Soil As communism takes off in Russia and China, Joseph Stalin begins his ruthless reign and the Soviet Union enters an era of terror. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 12, 2024 Institutional Insanity Preparing for war against the Soviet Union, the United States starts to test thermonuclear weapons; the CIA forms and interferes with global politics. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 12, 2024 The Wall The United States and Soviet Union get caught up in a nuclear arms race; a wall divides Berlin; President Kennedy looks for a peaceful solution after a crisis in Cuba. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 12, 2024 War Games With both sides planning for the worst-case scenario, Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev find common ground; tragedy strikes after a nuclear disaster. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 12, 2024 Empire Is Untenable The USSR's grasp on Eastern Europe weakens as the Berlin Wall comes down; the Communist Party mounts a coup against a prominent Soviet Union leader. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 12, 2024 The End of History A new Russian leader emerges, and the republics seek independence; as the Soviet Union dissolves, several powers sign a landmark treaty on nuclear arms. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 12, 2024 Moscow Will Not Be Silent Russia struggles to find a national identity as Vladimir Putin comes to power; with the Cold War in the rearview mirror, a war on terror begins. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 12, 2024 We Are Not Dead Yet Russia invades Georgia and Ukraine, putting President Putin under intense scrutiny; while disinformation thrives, threats of nuclear war persist. Details

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Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War — Season 1

Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War View more photos

Season Info

Director
Brian Knappenberger
Executive Producer
Sarah Huisenga, Jennifer Jo Janisch, Brian Knappenberger
Network
Netflix
Genre
Documentary, History, War
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 12, 2024
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