It’s not too often that I see a film, particularly a documentary, and my immediate reaction is that everyone should see it. “33 Minutes” from The Heritage Foundation is indeed one of those films.
33 Minutes (which actually refers to the average delivery time of a nuclear weapon via ballistic missile from launch to impact) discusses the state of our current missile defense system, covering our amazing technological progress since President Reagan first introduced the Strategic Defense Initiative in the early 1980’s, as well as the need for the system’s improvement and expansion.
I found 33 Minutes to be a truly enlightening experience. Not only was I provided with insights which explained the need for such a defense system from the likes of former Attorney General Edwin Meese and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the film also treated me to a fairly detailed, plainspoken description of how the system works, as well as counterarguments for opponents of the system by Lieutenant General Henry A. “Trey” Obering III (Ret.) plus an explanation of the dangers of EMP by Dr. William Graham and Dr. James Jay Carafano.
However, the most eye-opening moments of the film for me were the “man on the street“ interviews which were given by ordinary citizens. Even though it is obvious that the quality of the American education system has severely declined, I still feel shocked when I hear Americans say things along the lines of, “I don’t think anyone would allow some of these other counties to develop nuclear weapons” and “Wouldn’t it take a few days for a missile to reach its target?” to be absolutely frightening. In my opinion, the Heritage Foundation has already provided America with a wake-up call in the form, of those interviews alone. It is my personal contention that not only do we need technological advancements to defend America, but we also need to increase public awareness and engagement in order to fend off these ever-looming threats.
33 Minutes is definitely a step in the right direction. Not only did I find myself impressed with the historical, technical and philosophical insights the film provides, the presentation is smooth and easy to digest. This film is a perfect illustration of how documentaries should be produced, and in terms of message, 33 Minutes is a must for every history and civics classroom in America.
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