Chernobyl (2019) Miniseries Review: A Gripping Tale of Tragedy and Consequences
Chernobyl is a miniseries that tells the realistic story of the Chernobyl disaster. I was born in the USSR and know what Chernobyl is, but until today and until I watched this miniseries, I never understood what it really was. I also never knew what it truly meant, not only for the USSR but also for the whole world, because the incident didn't end with just one explosion. It could have also led to another, even bigger worldwide disaster.
Chernobyl, officially named the "Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant," is located in the city of Pripyat, in the north of Ukraine. The accident at the nuclear power plant occurred on April 26, 1986, when reactor number four exploded, affecting the lives of thousands of people.
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The Chernobyl miniseries consists of five episodes that tell the story of how the disaster unfolded. In addition, it portrays the aftermath of the incident, including the cleanup efforts, the effects of radiation on people, the environment, and animals. As a result of the accident, the surrounding areas were designated as an exclusion zone.
Chernobyl (2019) Review: A Realistic and Compelling Account of the Disaster
The series begins with the night of the accident, when the explosion occurred. They were conducting a test which resulted in an explosion in the reactor. It was not a meltdown but an actual explosion. Even the scientists in the series constantly question each other: How could an RBMK nuclear power reactor explode? At that time, nobody knew the answer, but it did happen.
The series depicts several characters who are responsible for and contributed to the accident. One of them is Anatoly Dyatlov, the assistant chief engineer at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. From the very beginning, we witness his treatment of other engineers in the plant and the way he pressures them during the test. He consistently disregards their warnings, leading to the occurrence of the accident. One of the motives behind his actions is his aspiration to become the director of the power plant, which makes the test crucial for him. He ignores safety protocols, and as a result, we witness the consequences.
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Another significant mistake, and one of the biggest, is also attributed to Dyatlov. Following the explosion, he refuses to listen to those informing him about an explosion in the reactor. Instead, he assumes it occurred in a gas tank, leading him to call the firefighters. Unfortunately, these firefighters were among the individuals who suffered the most from radiation. Due to Dyatlov's stubbornness, the Soviet Central Committee initially failed to recognize this incident as a nuclear disaster. Only after comprehending the true nature of the event did the evacuation and cleanup efforts commence.
Immersive Details and Authentic Costumes in the Chernobyl Miniseries
I was born in the USSR, and when I watched the Chernobyl miniseries, I could truly appreciate the exceptional attention to detail displayed by the team. Even the smallest details, such as objects, watches, clothing, costumes, and buildings, as well as the hairstyles of the cast, accurately reflect the Soviet era. Craig Mazin, the writer of the miniseries, deserves extra credit for his commitment to historical accuracy.
Moreover, the series effectively explains various aspects of the reactor, power plants, and the explosion. Prior to watching the series, my knowledge about how a nuclear power plant operates was limited. I knew that it involved harnessing heat from a nuclear reaction, converting it into steam, and utilizing the steam in turbines to generate electricity. However, the series provides more in-depth and clear explanations. The information is presented so clearly that even individuals like me, who have limited knowledge, can easily comprehend the events.
The most crucial aspect of the series lies in the final episode, where the depiction of how the accident unfolded takes center stage. Nuclear scientist and Professor Valery Legasov, who serves as the chief investigator of the Chernobyl disaster, presents a comprehensive explanation of the events in court. He carefully elaborates on the details, providing a clear account of what transpired. However, what becomes apparent is that the accident was not solely the result of plant managers' negligence; the Soviet administration also bears responsibility. The KGB's penchant for secrecy, as well as their failure to address critical errors at the plant, played a significant role in the disaster.
The Profound Impact on Lives Affected by Chernobyl
The Chernobyl miniseries has achieved remarkable success. I perceive it as a horror movie—a chilling tale of a real-life horror that unfolded. It is a tragedy that claimed lives and continues to impact individuals and places even today. The distinction lies in the fact that it is a true story.
Another reason for its high acclaim is that the series goes beyond merely recounting the accident or exploring its political aspects. It also delves into the personal narratives of the individuals involved—the residents who lived there, the plant workers, firefighters, medics, scientists who participated in the cleanup, miners, soldiers, and all those who labored tirelessly to prevent the disaster from worsening and to remediate its consequences.
The repercussions of the catastrophe extended not only to human lives but also to animals. Soldiers were tasked with the grim responsibility of going from door to door, euthanizing the affected animals.
One of the most shocking scenes depicted in the series is the burial of individuals who perished due to radiation exposure. Initially, they were placed in wooden coffins, which were then sealed inside metal caskets. Finally, concrete was poured over them. This same process was employed for all the animals that were euthanized within a certain radius of the power plant.
There is much more I could write about the series, but it would be best for you to experience it firsthand. Chernobyl holds the distinction of being the highest-rated TV series to date on IMDb, with a rating of 9.6. Similarly, it has garnered significant acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes, with 96% of critics and 98% of the audience expressing favorable opinions.
Please watch the show and share your comments with me here. Prepare yourself for a captivating and chilling experience as the show unfolds.
Genre: Historical drama
Created by Craig Mazin
Written by Craig Mazin
Directed by Johan Renck
Starring: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Paul Ritter, Jessie Buckley, Adam Nagaitis, Con O'Neill, Adrian Rawlins, Sam Troughton, Robert Emms, Emily Watson, David Dencik, Mark Lewis Jones, Alan Williams
Chernobyl (Miniseries 2019)On this IMDbrief, we'll split atoms of fact from fiction in the stunning HBO miniseries, #Chernobyl. pic.twitter.com/ZaOCeExR1y— IMDb (@IMDb) June 6, 2019
Genre: Historical drama
Created by Craig Mazin
Written by Craig Mazin
Directed by Johan Renck
Starring: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Paul Ritter, Jessie Buckley, Adam Nagaitis, Con O'Neill, Adrian Rawlins, Sam Troughton, Robert Emms, Emily Watson, David Dencik, Mark Lewis Jones, Alan Williams
Haven't had time to see this series yet, but seems to be a good show.
I'll have to add this to my binge list! I've always been interested in Chernobyl and how it's affected people's lives (even to present day), so I'll definitely give this a watch!
Enjoy the show
I'm adding this to things I wanna watch. Looks so good, yet disturbing
Thanks. And enjoy the disturbing truth.
I definitely need to watch this with my girls. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome and enjoy
I have to see this mini series ! Everybody who has was scared and in awe of it!
Good one Don't miss it.
Chernobyl is such a sad but interesting story, great recommendations. It's always good to be well informed.
Thanks
That’s pretty cool that you got to understand it a lot more after watching the mini series! Gives a whole new perspective, I can imagine.
Exactly...
This is a great mini series. I got to understand a lot about the Chernobyl disaster after watching.
Yes, very true.
I watched this miniseries. The series did a great job of showing the human stories behind the disaster. Of course, we know so much about radiation now, but people of the time would have no idea.
They really did very good work.
First time heard about this show. I watch quite a lot of shows but never came across this. Very detailed!
Very popular nowadays.
It's look like nice movie, especially related with Chernobyl real story.
Hope you enjoy
This show actually looks really good and is on my list of ones to watch!
Really good. Put on top of list.
I really liked watching this series. Its very crisp and well directed.
Very true
I've always been interested in Chernobyl! This one looks like a good series to bingewatch. Thanks for featuring it!
Plus gives you real facts...