

A State of Emergency
1986, English. Directed by Richard C. Bennett.
A chain reaction. Only he can stop it. Tomorrow's dawn is in his hands.
This story is about a crusading scientist out to stop nuclear testing who is motivated by scientific fact, conscience and faith. Dr. Alex Carmody (Martin Sheen) is a physicist who becomes convinced that if the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. continue to test nuclear weapons, eventually one of these tests will set off an atomic chain reaction that will obliterate the world. Carmody travels to Portugal where he tries talks to one of the women who in 1911 saw a vision of the Virgin Mary that spoke to her and her two companions about the future. Carmody is certain that the Virgin Mary predicted the very chain reaction he and his co-worker Dr. Kenneth Parrish (Peter Firth) envision. Failing in his attempt to talk to the woman, Carmody then travels to Paris and elsewhere, warning Soviet and American officials that the tests they are planning should be cancelled before they become their last.
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch A State of Emergency
A State of Emergency isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 November 1986.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Richard C. BennettDirector
- Martin SheenAlex Carmody
- Peter FirthKen Parrish
- Fionnula FlanaganDiane Carmody
- Ramon EstevezBrian Carmody
- William HootkinsEarl Linton
- Tim Pigott-SmithFather Joe Ryan
- Frances TomeltyJackie Hampton
- François GuétaryJean-Pierre Belair
- Kenneth HaighNathan Weis
- Daniel WoźniakUri Lopte
- Dudley SuttonMikhail S. Petrov
- Bobby ShermanJack Tyler
Details
- Released
- 1 November 1986
- Written by
- Ray Cunneff, Tom Guggino
- Budget
- $5
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked A State of Emergency

Testament
1983 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Side by Side
2012 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

The War Game
1966 · 7.7/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Age of Stupid
2009 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Miracle Mile
1988 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Day After
1983 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The 33
2015 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Kodachrome
2017 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Love Story
1970 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Kissing Booth 2
2020 · 7.6/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
A State of Emergency: quick answers
Is A State of Emergency worth watching?
A State of Emergency doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is A State of Emergency?
A State of Emergency runs 97 minutes (1h 37m).
Does A State of Emergency have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for A State of Emergency. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
A State of Emergency parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
A State of Emergency is rated PG in India. That rating means it is generally fine for children.
Which OTT platform is A State of Emergency on?
A State of Emergency isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 November 1986. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like A State of Emergency?
If you liked A State of Emergency, try Testament, Side by Side, The War Game.
Who directed A State of Emergency?
A State of Emergency (1986) was directed by Richard C. Bennett and stars Martin Sheen, Peter Firth, Fionnula Flanagan.