The Man Who Saved the World

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, this documentary reconstructs how Soviet submarine officer Vasily Arkhipov refused to authorize a nuclear torpedo launch, averting what could have become a global catastrophe. Through interviews, archival recordings, and recreations, the film pieces together the tense atmosphere aboard the B-59 submarine, the breakdowns in communication, and the split-second deliberations that surrounded the decision. Narration and testimony guide viewers through naval procedures, the chain of command, and the broader geopolitical pressure that pushed both superpowers toward the edge. The film stays focused on the facts and human choices, presenting the event without revealing dramatic surprises beyond the historical record. Survivors' testimonies and expert interviews add context and perspective to the narrative.

Directed by Nick Green and released in 2012, it mixes archive footage with dramatised scenes, featuring Leon Ockenden as Vasily Arkhipov, Martin McDougall as the submarine captain, plus narrators Jay O. Sanders and Alisdair Simpson.

The film screened at festivals and had a limited theatrical run, reaching niche audiences interested in history and military affairs. It did not register as a mainstream box office success, and later aired on television and streaming platforms, and abroad.

Arkhipov's refusal had already gained attention among historians and commentators, and this film helped bring his story to wider public notice. It contributed to wider conversations about individual responsibility, the fragility of nuclear command systems, and how seemingly small choices can alter geopolitical outcomes, and influenced later documentaries and reporting.

Critics and viewers have noted the film's measured reconstruction, with a listed vote average of 7.0 out of 10. Themes focus on moral responsibility, the limits of military protocol, and human choices under extreme pressure. Viewers point to its use of reenactment, archival audio, and authoritative narration as strengths too.