Ladybug Ladybug

I saw this movie as a child in a theater (1963 or 64). It was played before the feature. It is amazing to me that I still remember the title, and was tickled to come upon this little discussion. The fascination the movie held at that time was that it stopped in the middle, I was horrified. I was never sure whether the movie was over and they stopped here to make it seem like something had really happened or if the tape broke and they couldn't get it repaired to continue. This was very disturbing for me at the time, I related to the terror of the children. I remember coming home for lunch and listening to the radio when Cuba was threatening us. I would have been in the third grade when Ladybug, Ladybug was at the theater. I guess it was the ultimate choose your own ending. I imagined what might have happened and kept the title in the back of my mind all this time. I would probably be surprised at how it plays out now. Everything seems larger in retrospect. I've been waiting 44 years for the spoiler. Do you think I'll ever see the end?

When the nuclear alarm goes off in a secluded countryside grade and high school, all the children are sent home because the alarm supposedly indicates that a bomb attack is eminent within an hour of time. All through the journey home, and even long after that for certain children, it remains unclear whether the alarm is real or not. However, an atmosphere of fear and paranoia gradually builds itself up amongst them towards a nearly unbearable level. As you can derive from the obviously low-budgeted production values as well as from the obscurity status, "Ladybug, Ladybug" is a truly slow and uneventful film. Nothing really happens, and yet so many things happen simultaneously! The film is a hauntingly beautiful yet modest portrayal of a generation that had to life with the constant treat of nuclear war. The strong impact comes from the conversations held between the children. They are aware of a potentially devastating war hanging over their heads, yet they're so full of plans and dreams for the future! This is one of them films that might upset or even frustrate you slightly at first, since there's really nothing happening on the surface, but it will have a long and thought-provoking effect afterwards. This is probably also the reason why "Ladybug, Ladybug" is completely unknown out there in movie world. Nothing going on and no familiar names in the production are reasons enough for a well-intended and socially engaging film gem to instantly disappear into oblivion. Shame.

I'd like to echo what an earlier reviewer noted: that Ladybug, Ladybug is the sort of movie that can stay with you for a very long time. The one and only time that I saw the movie was likely around 1970, when I was seven years old. I watched quite a few movies on TV when I was that age -- by myself -- and without any kind of preparation or explanation I remember being engrossed by the film.

While I remember the plot,which has already been well-described so far, it's particular images that still stick with me. Someone mentioned refrigerators, and that perhaps is the one moment in the film that terrified me the most. I remember the system of warning lights in the school, a single moment of the teacher leading the kids down a dirt road and, again, the old fridge at the end of the movie.

What is also memorable, from the perspective of a small child, is the sense of unease and dread that permeated the entire film. It also played a small role in shaping my attitudes towards war and conflict at a very early age. Is this reading too much into a childhood memory of a film? Probably, but writing my one and only IMDb entry on a film that I saw once 40 years ago is evidence of its quiet power.

Hard to find anyone who has actually seen this movie. Doesn't deserve to be hidden away, it has a wonderful sense of unease and imminent danger as a small school receives a nuclear alert warning and while the principal tries to verify it he decides to evacuate the school. This involves the teachers walking the students back to their homes. The uncertainty remains throughout till the shattering climax. Among several movies of the period with a nuclear threat element(eg. Dr. Strangelove, Failsafe, Lord of the Flies)

we got sent home from school one day during the Cuban missile crisis.

I was very clueless about the whole missile thing and everything else at that point in my life, so I was VERY blasé about it. I cant remember what I did that day but I recollect looking back, sending all those kids home was the stooopidest thing the school officials could have done, for numerous reasons.

it exemplified the rampant unpreparedness at that time. and in a deeper sense, we as a race was unprepared for what the atomic scientists had dropped in our lap.

you have to remember to make the distinction between *based* on a true story (follows the recorded facts) and *inspired* by a true story (speculative fiction on other possible outcomes).

but this movie has enough realism and a very important message. still relevant today; the news services are talking about the north Korean press's veiled threats about nuclear attack on united states if the Americans should carry out a preemptive attack on them. and they are on the verge of testing a missile capable of carrying out the threat.

sometimes Hollywood directors and producers create outstanding drama, this is one of them. I always liked Nancy Marshand in 'Lou Grant'.