Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 3.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
Panic in Year Zero Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 27, 2016
Ray Milland pulls double duty in 1962’s “Panic in Year Zero,” directing and starring in a post-apocalyptic tale that doesn’t have the budget to imagine the end of the world, but does just fine with elements of dread. A bold depiction of doomsday survival, the feature bravely looks at the chaos following a nuclear attack, doing so during a period in time when the end of the world was an all too real possibility. Milland doesn’t try to suffocate his audience, instead keeping “Panic in Year Zero” surprisingly buoyant, filling the effort with chases, shoot-outs, and heated confrontations, making it more of an exploitation endeavor than a requiem for the American Way.
“Panic in Year Zero” is grim, not shying away from an end of days experience where average folk are urged into savagery, finding teenagers especially destructive during a sensitive time. While the film is meant to horrify, it doesn’t suffocate, keeping the story on the move, observing the characters encounter trouble without crushing them with hopelessness. Milland has a movie to sell after all, leaving “Panic in Year Zero” full of marketable elements, with overt violence rare but effective.
Panic in Year Zero Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a very bright and clean look at the limited visuals of "Panic in Year Zero." Detail is consistent, delivering proper textures with facial close-ups and costuming, and outdoor adventures retain depth. Black and white cinematography is balanced, preserving delineation throughout. Source is in encouraging shape, with only a few blips of damage, while speckling isn't intrusive.
Panic in Year Zero Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix securely details the limited but effective "Panic in Year Zero" listening experience. Music is commanding but never overwhelming, providing jazzy blasts to help motivate the odd mood of the effort. Dialogue changes are sharp and tight, handling emotional extremes without distortion. Atmospherics and sound effects are pronounced, but add to the energy of the picture. Mild popping is detected throughout.
Panic in Year Zero Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Commentary features film historian Richard Harland Smith.
- "Atomic Shock!" (9:10, HD) is a conversation about "Panic in Year Zero" with fan Joe Dante, who explores the feature's period perspective and creative achievements, emphasizing performances and the low-budget nature of the effort. It's an informative and refreshingly honest look at the picture.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (2:24, SD) is included.
Panic in Year Zero Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
If there's one thing that doesn't work in "Panic in Year Zero," it's the score from Les Baxter. Selecting a jazz to backdrop mass death, Baxter destroys critical moments of personal ruin with his high-flying music, which has the tendency to turn shocking scenes into unintentional comedy. However, it's a mild criticism in a feature that believes in pace, remains well-acted by the cast, and wisely takes a nuclear threat seriously, out to unnerve those used to pulled punches when it comes to depicting the breakdown of society.
