Downwind Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Downwind Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 4, 2023

It feels like the world has been on the cusp of nuclear armageddon since the bomb was developed and deployed in the mid-1940s. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki forever changed the world, and since then the world has engaged in a dangerous cold war that took the globe to the brink of nuclear annihilation in 1962. It has also engaged in an arms race that has pitted not just superpower nations one against another but also seen rogue nations and leaders maneuvering to possess "the bomb" as well. The weapons are seen by some as a deterrent to their own use (hence the acronym "MAD" or "Mutually Assured Destruction"), as a last resort failsafe against hostile actors, or as a weapon of aggression for those who would inflict incredible damage to the world for their own beliefs or gains. Suffice it to say, the nuclear chessboard has become a convoluted mess of possibilities that all seem likely to end in the same result: a mass killing of countless millions, and perhaps billions, around the world. Downwind, a new documentary film by directors Douglas Brian Miller and Mark Shapiro, explores nuclear fallout in a different way: the steady detonation of bombs in Nevada and the impact that those regular detonations have had on the world around it.

Downwind explores the history of nuclear testing in Nevada and the myriad of problems that have arisen from the fallout in the decade since. Between 1951 and 1992, the United Stated detonated 928 “large-scale” nuclear weapons in Nevada. The film explores why Nevada was chosen as a test site, as opposed to somewhere in the east coast where proponents argued the fallout would drift into the Atlantic ocean, not inland. The film explores how the fallout has impacted not just residents of Nevada, but also those residing in Utah and Arizona. The film also explores using animals as test subjects and the storage of nuclear waste deep within Yucca Mountain, as well as the limited government response and the $50,000 lump sum payment to anyone who proves their health issues correlate with fallout.

A good chunk of the film deals with the health issues and medical complications that are correlated with the radiation that permeates the area around the test site, and the argument that the radiation is only going to continue to move and expand its deadly reach in the years to come. The most prominent person the film focuses on is John Wayne, the legendary actor who is said to have been radiated from the fallout while shooting the flm The Conqueror in Utah. The film deals, more briefly, with other victims and explores the science behind the sicknesses -- primarily cancer -- that the film claims are a result of the radiation exposure.

The film is narrated by Martin Sheen who delivers an even keeled style that is more fact-based than emotionally driven. The emotion comes from the interviewees who recount personal loss and lament not just the testing, but the lack of concrete acknowledgement of the problems and the paltry government financial compensation for victims. The film is well crafted for what it is, banking, of course, more on content and less on cinematic dazzle and delight to draw audiences. The film ends with a sobering note: Michael Douglas believes that the world will never rid itself of nuclear weapons. Further, continued testing is “under debate.” Finally, the film states that “we are all downwinders” and likely to suffer some level of adverse impact from the prolonged exposure to nuclear testing.

Downwind Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Gravitas Ventures presents Downwind on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer. The image is proficient, and its proficiency is just about the visual highlight and high reach point for the film. The image is fine, offering good basic foundational definition to the newly crafted interview scenes, offering stable clarity that shows essential facial, clothing, and environmental qualities and characteristics. These are nothing special, never ultra sharp, and never more than essential. The film was certainly not shot with the highest end and highest yield digital cameras, so expect little more than proficiency in the basics. The film is interspersed with various retro film footage of varying qualities and aspect ratios; these are not considered in awarding the final video score as seen above. The Color output lacks significant depth and vividness. It can look pasty and pale, but essential colors on various interviewee clothing looks good enough, generally, but viewers should not expect displays to be pushed to the limits of the SDR color spectrum. Good basic blues, reds, and yellows are in evidence throughout. Skin tones vary a bit based on lighting parameters. Black and white levels are fine enough. The image shows only little source noise, but some establishing shots are prone to revealing aliasing, macroblocking, and other source and compression related issues. This is a very real case of "it is what it is." Gravitas Ventures' 1080p presentation is not a delight, but it seems largely in-line with basic expectations for a film of this style and production quality.

Downwind Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Downwind arrives on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Like the video presentation, this soundtrack is best described as "proficient." It stands out for no good qualities, but at the same time it stands out for no bad qualities. It's a very straightforward listening experience with appropriate balance, primarily along the front. Musical engagement is generally light with more or less center engagement but some mild stretch to the sides. Light atmospheric elements don't reach very far. Some wind effects try to fill the stage but only to limited impact. Dialogue is front and center focused, suitably clear and lifelike, and of course well prioritized because of the minimal content beyond the spoken word. The center channel gets the most work here, with the rest of the speakers largely used little or hardly at all.

Downwind Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Downwind contains no supplemental content. The main menu screen only offers options to "Play" the film and toggle "Subtitles" on and off. It's a static image screen with overlayed music. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Downwind Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Downwind probably won't have the impact it wishes to have, which is greater recognition of the problem, and the victims, of nuclear testing. It's a solid enough documentary, but like so many other "ring the alarm" documentaries, its impact will probably be minimal on changing the landscape. Still, it shares a worthwhile message around a subject that is certainly interesting and necessary. Gravitas Ventures' Blu-ray delivers satisfactory video and audio. No supplements are included. Worth checking out.