Nearly seven decades following the problematic shoot of "The Conqueror," a documentary delves into the radiation impact on its cast and nearby Utah residents, The Hill reports.
In 1956, "The Conqueror" was filmed in Utah, close to a site of extensive nuclear testing. This location choice has had lingering health implications for the film's cast and the local community, now explored in the new documentary "The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout."
The film set was positioned just 137 miles downwind from the Nevada Test Site, where the U.S. government conducted over 900 nuclear tests. The Atomic Energy Commission reassured the locals of St. George, Utah, that these tests posed no threat to their health.
Will Nunez, the director of the documentary, began his project during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. His research on "The Conqueror" and the associated atomic testing led him to explore the broader impact on the affected community.
The documentary sheds light on the alarming cancer rates among the 220 individuals associated with the film, including major stars like John Wayne and Susan Hayward, and director Dick Powell, all of whom later died of cancer. Notably, Pedro Armendáriz Sr. ended his own life following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
This tragedy extended beyond the celebrities. Local Paiute Native Americans, employed as extras, were also exposed, though data on their health outcomes remains unclear.
Producer Howard Hughes, after realizing the potential consequences of using irradiated sand from Utah in Hollywood sets, felt immense guilt. His actions inadvertently increased radiation exposure among the film crew and actors.
The public linkage of these cancer cases to the atomic tests prompted the declassification of several governmental documents, culminating in the establishment of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in 1990, providing some solace through financial compensation to affected individuals.
Despite these measures, the documentary highlights a painful reality: epidemiologists find it challenging to definitively link cancer cases to specific causes such as radiation, complicating the efforts of the victims to obtain justice and recognition.
However, RECA faced its expiration in 2022, creating uncertainty about future compensation for the downwinders, a term referring to those affected by the nuclear fallout. This development has prompted further activism among the community and supporters.
“What started as a lark about this terrible movie became something else as I was researching about atomic testing and all that, and my goal was to see how I can try and do this in the most entertaining way possible so that a general audience can understand what had happened,” said Will Nunez about his documentary.
He also expressed hope that his film would reinvigorate efforts to renew and expand RECA, beyond the original 20 counties previously covered, to include more victims of radiation exposure.
The documentary not only revisits the past but also brings to light the current struggles of the downwinders. It features personal accounts from the sons of John Wayne and Susan Hayward, and commentary from conservative radio host Michael Medved, adding diverse perspectives to the narrative.
Mary Dickson, a downwinder activist and thyroid cancer survivor, highlighted the delayed response to the health emergency, which only gained attention when it was suspected that the fallout might have affected John Wayne, a beloved American icon.
John Wayne himself was skeptical of the connection between the cancer cases and the filming location, attributing the illnesses to other factors like heavy smoking.
The documentary aims to not only educate but also to serve as a catalyst for political and social change regarding the recognition and compensation of radiation exposure victims.
Will Nunez added, “If you notice, it’s all the women that raise hell,” recognizing the significant role women have played in advocating for the downwinder community.
In conclusion, “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” not only documents a historical oversight but also serves as an ongoing narrative of struggle, highlighting the need for awareness, advocacy, and adequate compensation for those impacted by government nuclear testing programs.
