Saving the Earth

In this short film from 1984, Australian physician Helen Caldicott campaigns against nuclear weapons during a trip to Wellington. Helen and her husband William Caldicott were prominent figures in the anti-nuclear movement for decades. Filmmaker Gaylene Preston captures Caldicott addressing the Select Committee of Disarmament at Parliament, then making a rousing speech to fellow activists at Wellington Town Hall — before an earnest musical performance from the Topp Twins. The film was commissioned by New Zealand members of organisation Physicians For the Prevention of Nuclear War. 

America now has 30,000. It is enough to — it is said — 'overkill' every Russian person 40 times.

– Anti-nuclear campaigner Helen Caldiott on the number of nuclear weapons in the United States, while addressing the Select Committee on Disarmament

Key Cast & Crew

Gaylene Preston

Director

Pat Murphy

Production Manager

Christine Lancaster

Research

Cindy Bowles

Assistant Editor

John Keir

Research

Jay Berriman

Negative Matcher