ENG 101 Rhetorical Precis

Atomic Cafe. Dir. Pierce Rafferty. New Video Group, 1982. Pierce Rafferty's Atomic Cafe (1982) argues against the use of the atomic bomb by the United States. The film consists of documentary footage that details the history of the atomic bomb from its use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki through the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Rafferty's purpose is to show the weak reasons for using the weapons, its destructive consequences, and the lack of knowledge on the part of the American people in order to emphasize the harsh realities surrounding the use of atomic weapons and persuade viewers against the use of these types of weapons in the future. Due to its documentary format, the film targets an audience that is already highly interested in the use of atomic weaponry; however, as the film was mass released, the director hopes to reach a more general public.