Man Who Saved the World

This hybrid documentary/feature provides an intimate profile of Stanislav Petrov, a former Soviet Colonel who averted nuclear war by going against protocol at the height of the Cold War. On September 26, 1983, a Soviet early warning system reported that five United States nuclear missiles were heading toward the Soviet Union. Instead of immediately launching a counter-attack Petrov decided to wait, because he believed the warning was a mistake. The film contains a mix of tense re-enactments combined with present day footage of Stanislav as he travels to the United States. Stars such as Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Matt Damon and Walter Cronkite appear in the film. Directed by Peter Anthony. ~ Jennifer Lackman