At Minot Air Force Base, trainees of the 4315th Training Squadron undergo a rigorous 14-week program to prepare for their roles in operating Intercontinental Ballistic Missile silos. The film captures classroom discussions on the ethics of nuclear warfare and the technical procedures for launching missiles. It includes scenes of training exercises, command and control processes, and a memorial service for the astronauts lost in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Frederick Wiseman directs this unadorned portrayal of military training in 1988.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

See the training of ICBM silo personnel at Minot AFB.
Find out about ethics discussions on nuclear war.
Meet the trainees during their daily routines.

Did You Know

The documentary covers a 14-week training course for Air Force personnel.
It features training at Minot AFB and Whiteman AFB.
The film includes a memorial service for Challenger astronauts.

Perfect For

Military training enthusiastsCold War history buffsNuclear policy researchers

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Missile?

Missile was directed by Frederick Wiseman.

What is the duration of the documentary Missile?

The duration of Missile is 115 minutes.

What training does the documentary Missile focus on?

It focuses on the 14-week training course for Air Force personnel manning ICBM silos.

Awards & Festivals

IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam

2009 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

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