Definition of Dystopian Fiction

Dystopian Fiction is sci fi that deals with an undesireable futuristic world for human beings. A Dystopian society is characterized by extreme human misery, squalor, oppression, disease, etc. Post apocalyptic wastelands, viral and bacterial pandemic, zombies, and totalitarian regimes are recurring themes in dystopian science fiction. Dark Future Fiction is a comprehensive directory that offers reviews of all media of a dystopian sci fi nature; it includes novels, films, and television media.

June 17, 2009

"Panic in the Year Zero" 1962




I found this little dystopian science fiction nugget while surfing the digital cable channels one evening. The film stars Ray Milland and Frankie Avalon and it tells the story of a family's struggle to survive in the very beginning days of a nuclear holocaust. The family is leaving Los Angeles in their RV, heading out to the country in order to go on a vacation. While exiting the city limits the family hears a Conelrad alert (nuclear war is imminent) that L.A. has been hit by a nuclear weapon. What ensues next is a surprisingly engaging story about their efforts to survive the nuclear holocaust.

I had never heard of this film until I stumbled upon it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian science fiction.