TV on DVD: A 'Special Bulletin' evokes 9/11

SPECIAL BULLETINTV Movie Unbelievably gripping tale of terrorists threatening to nuke Charleston is shot on videotape in the form of an on-air breaking news report, circa 1982. It's also unbelievably prescient, now that we've seen Sept. 11 and TV's wall-to-wall coverage of every "developing story." Intensely raw, this NBC faux-coverage managed to scare unaware '82 viewers a la Orson Welles' '30s radio "War of the Worlds" invasion from Mars. Ed Flanders ("St. Elsewhere") plays the network anchorman whose in-the-field news crew has been kidnapped by disgruntled nuclear scientists, including David Clennon ("thirtysomething") and David Rasche ("Sledge Hammer"), whose demands include a live feed from their nuke-holding boat in Charleston Harbor. This gem from the guys soon to create "thirtysomething" (director Edward Zwick and producer Marshall Herskovitz) won four Emmys and still delivers a potent study of media behavior and government dissembling.

Extras None.

List price $20, available only at warnerarchive.com.

Other vintage special-ordersTHEN CAME BRONSON Disillusioned reporter Michael Parks hits the road on a motorcycle, finds runaway bride Bonnie Bedelia in European cut of 1969 TV-movie pilot; $20, warnerarchive.com.

THE MAN FROM ATLANTIS Pre-"Dallas" Patrick Duffy got his big break playing the title amphibious hero in this 1977 TV movie pilot; $20, warner archive.com.