“A sensitive penetrating look into the lives and motivations of religious activists who accept imprisonment for bearing witness to the danger of nuclear annihilation.” David Cortright, Director of Policy Studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
“A film of fundamental courage-a jolt to one’s conscience and a call to practical civic action, for both the planet and posterity.” Ralph Nader, former U.S. Presidential candidate, Consumer advocate
“What an absolutely wonderful film which must be shown at every high school and college in the US, let alone to every congressperson and senator.The knowledge about the medical impacts of nuclear holocaust are now almost unknown to the general public, let alone the scientifically and medically ignorant politicians.” Dr. Helen Caldicott, Co-founder, Physicians for Social Responsibility
“Your documentary, ‘The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs’ is a powerful story and we are grateful to you for bringing it to the attention of our students. Fellows were so impressed by the work of Sr. Megan and were inspired by your role in bringing her story to a wider audience. Students commented afterwards that Sr. Megan’s story impressed upon them that no matter their age or platform, they have an obligation and the power to speak out and take action to defend the principles they hold dear.” Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, Albright Institute for Global Affairs, Wellesley College
“While many films have tackled the subject of nuclear weapons from the political or strategic perspective, Ms. Young’s film successfully probes the human and moral dimension of this global issue.” Martin Sheen, Actor and Activist
“The courageous, faithful people portrayed in this powerful film deploy the nonviolent tools of hope and love to expose an existential threat to life on planet Earth. They – and filmmaker Helen Young – deserve kudos and thanks.” Marie Dennis, Co-President, Pax Christi International
“The protagonists of Helen Young’s masterful documentary are icons of courage and moral clarity in an age of posturing and deception. While most of the world remains silent in the face of nuclear annihilation, they risk their lives to pull us away from the brink. We were honored to show ‘The Nuns, The Priests and The Bombs’ at Brown University and gladdened by the way it inspired audience members both young and old.” –Brown War Watch, Brown University
“This film is a shining example of persistence, passion and true holiness-all beautifully told.” Jack Gillis, Consumer Federation of America
“In these dismal times when our nation is in a perpetual state of war and Donald Trump has his finger on the nuclear button, this film is just the jolt of inspiration we need.” Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK
“It is an ideal film for courses in nonviolence, not only that which is faith based, but nonviolence, embraced as an ethical principle by those whose motivations are secular and civic rather religious. Such acts of political integrity, we well know, have been taken by people of many faiths and no faiths, people whose ethical codes are promulgated more by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights than by any articles of faith. Betty A. Reardon, Founder International Institute on Peace Education
“A powerful tribute to the quiet revolutionaries who are risking their lives — and sacrificing their liberty — to warn humanity of the grave danger of nuclear arms … The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs is a cri de coeur for a safer, saner world.” Tim Wright, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
“This film provides a unique opportunity to talk in the classroom about religion, activism, and the political system. Due to the clarity of the ideas and processes portrayed on the screen, students identify the implications of nuclear threat as well as the groups contesting it.” Pamela J. Fuentes, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies Department, Pace University NYC
“How can we be human and co-exist with weapons that have one purpose, one mission– the destruction of all humanity? The answer– through acts of nonviolent resistance and the creation of community– is crystal clear and klaxon loud in Helen Young’s, The Nuns, The Priests and The Bombs. Anyone mired in hopelessness and ennui about the plight of the world (and isn’t that all of us at one point or another) needs to see this film and then find– or build– a community that will lift them into action and connection.” Frida Berrigan, author “It Runs In The Family: On Being Raised by Radicals and Growing Into Rebellious Motherhood”.
“Full of compassion and commitment to our future, The Nuns, The Priests and The Bombs, is a wake-up call and a call-to-action. Documentary filmmaker Helen Young brings us into the lives of anti-nuclear war activists taking risks on our behalf, and with humor and humanity reminds us that faith requires more than just prayer.” Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Professor of Theology, Fordham University
“A sobering story, wonderfully told, that shows faith with works is not dead in today’s world. This nun, these priests, lit a candle that shines in this film, and their commitment and sacrifice — at an age when most anyone else would be long retired — inspires us despite the darkness that can seem so prevalent.” David Gibson, Director, Center on Religion and Culture, Fordham University
“When the day finally comes on which nuclear weapons are banished, the world will look back with gratitude on the brave citizens whom this film movingly profiles. Hats off to The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs for painting a portrait of exemplary moral courage.” Charles DiSalvo, Professor of Law, West Virginia University and author of M.K. Gandhi, Attorney at Law: The Man Before the Mahatma
A moving portrayal of how people of conscience have confronted preparations for a war that threatens human survival. Lawrence Wittner, Professor of History EmeritusSUNY/Albany
“A compelling and beautifully told tale about a handful of heroic activists who have moved us closer to a world free from the threat of nuclear war. We are all indebted to these brave men and women and should be inspired to join them in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.” Dr. Ira Helfand, Co-Founder and Past President, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Co-President, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
“The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs focuses on people devoted to nonviolent protests of nuclear facilities around the world. Known as the Plowshares, their members include elderly nuns and priests, doctors, middle aged housewives, and grandparents. They don’t look or sound like dangerous radicals, yet they repeatedly break into government facilities and are arrested. Many have done prison time deep into their 80s. While providing information on the never ending proliferation of nuclear weapons, an unexpected element to the film is the unspoken idea that there are no age limits to owning unwavering beliefs like this motley group of rebellious citizens and it gives a heady film about nuclear disarmament an inspiring tone.” Joshua Peck, Collection Development Librarian, Kansas City, KS Public Library
“The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs provided our students, all of whom seek to make a positive contribution to the world, a much needed perspective on the importance of unity and devotion when facing down a global problem. Sister Megan Rice’s story was truly inspiring and sets a high bar in terms of what it means to lead a life of purpose.” Rebecca Gordan, Program Director, Albright Institute for Global Affairs at Wellesley College
“A valuable new film by Helen Young ”The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs” takes necessary pains to remind us why nuclear weapons are an abomination worth risking jail time to protest. I say necessary because those of us who came to awareness after the Cold War have been taught to only worry about the weapons of mass destruction that other countries might wield—Iraq, Iran, North Korea—while allowing ourselves to regard the far more massive arsenal at home as a benign relic. On the contrary, our country’s nuclear weapons remain a clear and present threat to the survival of life on Earth. And President Trump wants drastically more of them, even while he plays games of bait-and-tweet to compel other countries into disarming.” Nathan Schneider, Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado, Boulder
“The film was a nice complement to our curriculum that focuses on the political, economic and social reasons for using the bomb but doesn’t address the moral implications of continuing to have nuclear weapons. And, on a personal note, I really enjoyed the film as well and look forward to continuing to use it in future years.” Ryan Scheb, History teacher, Cristo Rey New York High School, East Harlem
“The film provides high school students the opportunity to learn about the immorality of nuclear weapons in a contemporary way. It lends itself to cross-curricular connections in history, science, and religious studies, and it stirs a passion for social justice activism in our modern world.” Alina Troya, Religious Studies Faculty & Director of Global Programs, School of the Holy Child, Rye, New York
“The film is fabulous and inspiring.” Beth Karas, legal analyst and former Court TV correspondent
“The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs is an exceptional film. I used it in a Theology of Peace class and the students were awed by the story. It led to a very valuable discussion on the morality of our foreign policy, the abuse of law and our responsibility as citizens. Although I used it in a Theology course, it could just as well be shown in a law or history class. The whole country should see it!!!” Mary Anne Muller, Adjunct Professor of Theology, St. John’s University
“University students will become informed about the extent and dangers of nuclear weapons in today’s world, how the U.S. government continues to spend multiple billions of dollars that could be redirected in service of life, and what persons of faith and citizens of conscience are doing on behalf of us all. Footage includes interviews with activists and representatives of the “Congressional-Industrial Complex,” scenes from actual peace actions, and archival images of the horrors of nuclear warfare. Vivid but not overwhelming, the truth of this film will spark interest in learning more about nuclear weapons and our responsibilities as citizens and inhabitants of planet Earth to insure a safe and nuclear-free future.” Guy Larry Osborne, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Carson-Newman University
“The film is a powerful, poignant, and at times, surprisingly humorous exploration of our nation’s obsession with “national security” and how the inspired, committed resistance of a handful of faith-filled people can shake up those at ‘the top.'” Wes Howard-Brook Senior Instructor, Theology and Religious Studies, Seattle University
“It is a superb, compelling, beautiful and meaningful film. An intricate weaving together of activists deeply devoted to peace and a world free of nuclear weapons with individual personalities and determination shining forth.” Judith Mohling, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.
“Helen Young’s The Nuns, The Priests and The Bombs is a charming, courageous, sad, infuriating, terrifying, funny, exhilarating and inspiring depiction of what some deeply conscientious fellow Earthlings have done to combat the existential threat that keeps us from addressing the other existential threat of our time-climate change. Will the rest of us rise to this challenge?” Steve Leeper, former chairman, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.
“An incredibly timely film that shows we do not need to sit idly by as the world inches closer to nuclear war. Motivating, captivating, and an inspiration to all those fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.” Dr. Vincent Intondi, Professor of History, Montgomery CollegeAuthor, African Americans Against the Bomb
“A graceful rendering of a scary, complex issue into human and moral terms that reverberate in the heart, mind and soul.”Dan Zak, author of “Almighty: Courage, Resistance & Existential Peril in the Nuclear Age
“The title of the documentary, The Nuns, The Priests and The Bombs,” tells the story. A small, unlikely, gentle, spiritual cluster of folks take on the government of the United States and its military industrial complex. They demand to be taken seriously, so they are taken to jail. Therein lies their power. Their deadly serious intent pierces the hearts of those of us who watch. Something is tragically wrong in a world living on the whim of a political leader and dodging cataclysmic accidents. The nuns and priests demand that the ultimate dimension of sacredness in life needs to take precedence over false claims of security.” the Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, President and Founder, United Religions Initiative
“The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs was an important reminder of the horror of the atom bomb, but also of the inspiring perseverance of activists, including an 82-year-old Catholic nun, who literally put their lives on the line to expose the dangers of nuclear weapons. The film left me reeling trying to grapple both with the scale of destruction that nuclear weapons cause and the enormous financial cost. (Since 1940, the U.S. has spent more than $7.5 trillion on nuclear weapons.) Even for seasoned activists, the film is a must-watch to reaffirm the necessity of our ongoing work for divestment, disarmament, and demilitarization. “Greta Zarro, Organizing Director, World BEYOND War
“Congratulations on producing a brilliant documentary on so contentious an issue! I viewed it with delight. Nuclear weapons, many experts agree, are lethal beyond compare. They wreak catastrophic devastation with long-term effects on several generations. Unfortunately, this line of thinking tends to be marginal in decision-making circles. Hence, the relevance of your documentary that weaves a compelling case against the mainstream narratives or nuclear safety claims. The breach of the Y-12 National Security Complex by concerned and peace-seeking citizens bears this out. I commend you for amplifying the whispering voices of peace. We need them to speak to our collective conscience.” Fr. Barthelemy Bazemo, M.Afr, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst, Africa Faith and Justice. Network
“This is a powerful documentary that should be widely distributed and watched by all: students, politicians, journalists, medical professionals, humanitarians, futurists – simply anyone and everyone who is interested in our future wellbeing. Nuclear weapons have been with us for the past 75 years, with no sign of disappearing. This persuasive documentary clearly shows that no matter your age or your profession, we ALL have an obligation and the agency to speak out and take action against these destructive weapons” – Dr. Sara Z. Kutchesfahani, Director, N Square DC Hub.
The Nuns, The Priests, and The Bombs 