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BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kent-based film The War Game won an Oscar despite a BBC ban
A 1965 film depicting the impact of a nuclear strike on Britain, banned because it was "too horrifying", was finally aired 40 years ago before going on to win an Peter Watkins recruited about 350 amateur actors from Kent to make the BBC documentary drama The War Game, but the broadcaster initially refused to air film won an Oscar in 1967 before the BBC eventually screened it on 31 July, 1985."I quickly realised I was in the presence of a genius," said Michael Banks, an extra in the film. "Peter Watkins was an innovator." The War Game presents a hypothetical future where war breaks out and a nuclear missile airbursts over Kent, overwhelming hospitals and creating food BBC's then head of documentaries, Huw Wheldon, said the "political hot potato" was approved and he was impressed with the result. However, Mr Wheldon had an issue with a statement in the film from a bishop who said "we must learn to love the bomb". He also did not like a scene where a policeman was seen "mercy killing" dying people."I simply did not believe that anybody would get policemen to do it," the former head of documentaries Wheldon labelled it an "anti-police statement" and said when he flagged his concerns to director Peter Watkins he went "through the roof". Much of the filming took place at Grand Shaft Barracks in Dover, an army base that was in the process of being demolished at the time. Phil Eyden, whose late mother Christine was in the film, said mattresses were set out for extras to "hurl themselves onto" after they were hit with a blast of Eyden, who maintains the Dover site as a volunteer, added that some extras acting as casualties "actually had Rice Krispies glued to their faces and then sprayed a dark colour to simulate burn injuries". Mr Banks, a retired theatre maker from Dover, said working on the film influenced his arts career."I approached it as any 17-year-old schoolboy would, as a chance to get your hands on weapons," he said."By day two, our attitude began to change, because we realised the visceral nature of what was being filmed."Glynis Greenland, who was in the film, said she was part of a group of women taken off set to "scream on cue in the background" to add to the sense of terror. She said she did "muck up" one shot as she opened her eyes while pretending to be dead."They carried me all the way on this stretcher with my eyes shut and I thought they'd finished so I opened my eyes and the camera was right over me," she BBC commissioned the film but later said it was "too horrifying for the medium of broadcast". Declassified Cabinet Office papers later revealed Harold Wilson's government pressured the corporation to suppress the Norman Brook, the BBC's chairman at the time and former secretary to the cabinet, wrote to the serving cabinet secretary, saying: "I have seen the film, and I can say it has been produced with considerable restraint."But, the subject is necessarily alarming and the showing of the film might well have a significant effect on public attitudes to the policy of the nuclear deterrent."It seems to me the government should have an opportunity of expressing a view about this."Speaking 17 years after the film was made, the BBC Director General in 1965 Hugh Carleton Greene said: "The decision not to show it was shared between Lord Norman Brook and myself."The decision was not made against my wish - I was more shocked by the programme than he was."The basis of the decision was not a political one. I could not face the responsibility of putting a programme on air that was so shocking." 'Awkward issues' for government Prof John Cook, from Glasgow Caledonian University, said: "It wasn't so much that it was horrific compared to other scenes of violence on television."It was more the fact that it raised all sorts of awkward issues around the adequacy of Britain's civil defence."Prof Cook said The War Game still had a powerful effect on audiences, as its themes of war and destruction were still relevant."I show it to schoolchildren today and they still are wowed by it," he said.
Fox News
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Fox News Politics Newsletter: All Quiet on the Southern Front
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here's what's happening… -Trump endorses 'MAGA warrior' for RNC chairman after Whatley launches Senate campaign -Senate GOP threatens to 'grind it out' through August as Trump nominees face Democratic delays -Linda McMahon pulls back the curtain on Trump's plan to dismantle the Department of Education The southern border has largely gone quiet. United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks posted to X on Friday that southwest border apprehensions hit a monthly record low in July, with only 4,399 apprehensions. For the third month in a row, there have been zero releases. This is the new all-time record low, beating the prior record low of 6,070 in June…READ MORE 'CAN'T GO WRONG': Trump takes jab at GOP senator, urging Republicans to 'vote the exact opposite of' how she does FIGHTING LUNATICS: Trump blasts reporter over tariffs questions: 'Lunatics like you' NUCLEAR NAILBITER: China's growing nuclear arsenal aims to break US alliances and dominate Asia, report warns BEYOND REPAIR: US report urges UN agency's shutdown over Hamas ties, Oct. 7 terror links FREE TO RUN: Trump ally Bukele's party amends El Salvador constitution to allow indefinite presidential re-election CAPITAL RULE DISPUTE: Senate Republicans launch crackdown on DC permitting illegal immigrants, noncitizens to vote in elections DEFEND FROM DEFUND: Democrats escalate anti-Trump lawfare by targeting Congress in Planned Parenthood funding fight 'LAWLESS': Lawmaker unveils 'ERIC ADAMS Act' threatening criminal penalties for sanctuary city mayors SWAMP STOCK SHOWDOWN: Trump 'wants to get' stock-trading ban done, Hawley insists after president's brutal attack on bill RAISING THE BAR: Top DHS official calls citizenship test 'too soft,' urges major overhaul of naturalization process 'HALF A BRAIN': Mamdani defund police walk back ripped as 'political theatre': 'No one with half a brain is buying it' TOXIC DANGER: Banned chemicals found in American shampoo, sunscreen and tampons across major brands Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on
Fox News
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Border apprehensions hit record low in dramatic turnaround from Biden era
The southern border has largely gone quiet. United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks posted to X on Friday that southwest border apprehensions hit a monthly record low in July, with only 4,399 apprehensions. For the third month in a row, there have been zero releases. This is the new all-time record low, beating the prior record low of 6,070 in June. In July, it averages out to 141 apprehensions per day at the southern border. At the height of the Biden-era crisis, there were 10,000-plus apprehensions on some days in December 2023. The high number of crossings resulted in an intense strain on resources in small border communities for years, as agents struggled to keep up with the demand while also dealing with responsibilities at the legal ports of entry. In addition, many migrants were bused at the request of some Republican leaders to Democratic-run areas like New York City. During the Biden administration, the record high was December 2023, with 249,785 apprehensions, the majority of which were released into the U.S. The nosedive in numbers is seen as a major victory by Republicans and the Trump administration. "The border is secure again — as it should be. Strong policies equal quiet borders," Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, posted to X. At the start of President Donald Trump's second term, troops were deployed to the border, and the CBP One app that was commonly used for people crossing illegally to claim asylum was shuttered. The app was replaced with CBP Home, which is used for people to self-deport. The Department of Homeland Security has been touting for months an offer to give people $1,000 and free travel outside the U.S. if they have not committed other crimes. Deportation efforts are now underway throughout the U.S., as the administration is honing in on areas with sanctuary policies, with push back from Democratic officials at different levels of Congress. Still, border and immigration enforcement is expected to get a resources boost with the recent passage of the Trump-backed spending bill, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Billions were allocated for border security efforts, including to pay back states for costs incurred during the Biden administration, and ICE is now beginning recruitment for thousands more agents they've been given the budget to hire.
Barnama
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Trump Deploying 2,000 Troops To Los Angeles Over Immigration Protests
WASHINGTON, June 8 (Bernama-dpa) -- The National Guard will be deployed to Los Angeles as protests over immigration raids continue, the White House said on Saturday, according to German news agency (dpa). The protests began on Friday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executed search warrants across the city. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, around 1,000 protesters attacked ICE officers on Friday. United States Border Patrol chief Michael Banks wrote on X that several arrests had been made on Saturday for alleged assaults on federal agents.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM US Attorney says 82 people facing newly created criminal charge for entry along NM-Mexico border
From left to right: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks and United States Attorney for New Mexico Ryan Ellison stand along the New Mexico-Mexico border in a recent visit to tout recent border arrests. (Photo courtesy USAO) The United States Attorney in New Mexico announced Thursday that 82 people are facing brand new criminal charges aimed at cracking down on illegal crossings where Mexico shares a border with New Mexico. A recent land transfer from the Department of Interior to the Department of Defense effectively made the 170-mile stretch of United States-Mexico border in southwest New Mexico into a military base, authorizing federal troops to detain and transfer individuals to federal law enforcement for criminal charges, according to a news release. Those who are arrested in the 60-foot buffer zone can face charges for 'unauthorized entry into the New Mexico National Defense Areas,' according to charging documents, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. The names of the 82 individuals charged were not immediately available, though federal court records show that U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, who was named as the United States Attorney for New Mexico on April 18, personally signed 28 charging documents for named defendants on April 28. Arizona AG queries ICE about arrest of New Mexico man 'The Department of Justice will work hand in glove with the Department of Defense and Border Patrol to gain 100% operational control of New Mexico's 170-mile border with Mexico,' Ellison said in a news release. 'Trespassers into the National Defense Area will be Federally prosecuted—no exceptions.' United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks joined Ellison for a 'high-level visit' April 25. They touted the newly created criminal charge as a way to leverage 'expanded military and prosecutorial authority to deter unlawful border crossings,' according to the news release. Standing on the newly created National Defense Area in New Mexico on April 25, Hegseth warned that anyone caught there would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you try to come in illegally as a cartel, or you try to smuggle or traffic. You will be detained by a member the U.S. military, and you will be handed over to US Customs and Border Patrol, and then you will be prosecuted by the US DOJ, and then you will be charged to the maximum extent of the law,' Hegseth said, according to video he posted to social media. The buffer zone along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico, Arizona and California is known as the 'Roosevelt Reservation' and excludes areas of private or tribal land. Now that it's under control of the Defense Department, it's treated as an extension of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachaca in Cochise County, Arizona. Rebecca Sheff, an attorney with the ACLU of New Mexico, said in an April 22 news release that the newly created military buffer zone 'represents a dangerous erosion of the constitutional principle that the military should not be policing civilians.' She also said U.S. citizens who live near the border could be prosecuted under the newly created statutes.
