description Command and Control Overview
"Command and Control" is a 2016 documentary film directed by Robert Kenner, adapted from the non-fiction book by Eric Schlosser. It provides a detailed account of the 1980 Damascus Titan missile explosion near Damascus, Arkansas, an incident triggered when a maintenance worker accidentally dropped a socket wrench, piercing the missile's fuel tank.
The documentary chronicles the resulting frantic recovery efforts and the subsequent explosion that ejected a nuclear warhead. The film serves as a broader examination of the systemic safety flaws inherent in managing the United States nuclear arsenal.
help Command and Control FAQ
What happened in the Damascus Titan missile accident?
In September 1980, a maintenance accident at a Titan II missile complex near Damascus, Arkansas led to a fuel leak and a devastating explosion. The incident involved a missile carrying a nuclear warhead, although the warhead itself did not detonate.
Who directed Command and Control?
Robert Kenner directed the 2016 documentary, which was adapted from Eric Schlosser's nonfiction book of the same name. Kenner is also known for directing Food, Inc.
Why is Command and Control described as a nuclear thriller?
The film reconstructs the accident minute by minute through interviews with Air Force personnel, designers, and first responders. The Titan II warhead is described as having a potential explosive power many hundreds of times greater than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Does Command and Control use archival footage or reenactments?
It combines interviews and archival material with footage filmed inside a decommissioned Titan II missile silo in Arizona. That visual approach lets the documentary explain the technical chain of failures without relying only on dramatized scenes.
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