Zero Hour (TV series)

Zero Hour
Genre Documentary Docudrama
Country of origin Canada and United Kingdom
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 16
Production
Running time 45 to 50 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel The History Channel (USA), History Television (Canada), the BCC (UK) and 7mate in Australia
Original run 2004 (2004) – present

Zero Hour is a Canadian/British documentary-style television program, which airs on The History Channel in the United States, History Television in Canada and on the BBC in the United Kingdom. Zero Hour has also been shown on Channel Seven in Australia (third series aired on Network Ten from May 1, 2010), and now plays on 7mate, and on Discovery Channel in Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Brazil and the Netherlands. The program focuses on retelling the details of tragic man-made disasters which each unfolded in less than an hour.

Certain episodes have been partially censored for particular broadcasts. One example is the Columbine High School massacre episode, which had some scenes cut (for intense violence, profanity and racial slurs) when broadcast on Discovery Channel.

Contents

Episodes

Season 1 (2004)

# Title Disaster
1 "Disaster at Chernobyl" The Chernobyl Disaster
On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Disaster shook the earth. It exploded with devastating consequences. It is estimated that there were a total of 4,000 deaths worldwide. 
2 "The Last Hour of Flight 11" American Airlines Flight 11
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked and deliberately flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, as part of the September 11 attacks. Minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the South Tower. 
3 "Massacre at Columbine High" Columbine High School Massacre
On April 20, 1999, two boys from the Columbine High School killed 12 students and one teacher, and injured 21 other students, before committing suicide. 
4 "Terror in Tokyo" Sarin Gas Attack in Tokyo
On March 20, 1995, the Tokyo Metro was infected with dangerous sarin gas, which was planted by 5 members of a terrorist group called Aum Shinrikyo. A total of 13 people were killed. 

Season 2 (2005)

# Title Disaster
1 "The Bali Bombing" The Bali Bombing
On October 12, 2002 two nightclubs in Bali, Indonesia exploded after terrorists planted two bombs. There were 202 deaths and 209 people were injured, some of them seriously. 
2 "One of America's Own" The Oklahoma City Bombing
On April 19, 1995, 168 were killed when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building exploded, with devastating consequences. 
3 "The Sinking of the Estonia" MS Estonia
On September 28, 1994 the MS Estonia sank en route to Stockholm. 850 people were killed. 
4 "The King of Cocaine" Pablo Escobar
On December 2, 1993 Pablo Escobar, a Colombian drug lord, and his assistant, were captured and killed at Escobar's home. 
5 "Capturing Saddam" Saddam Hussein
On December 13, 2003, Saddam Hussein, the 5th president of Iraq, was captured by US Special Forces. In December 2006 he was hanged. 
6 "The Plot to Kill The Pope" Pope John Paul II assassination attempt
On May 13, 1981, Grey Wolves nearly assassinated Pope John Paul II. The Pope remarkably survived. He lost 3 quarts of blood. 

Season 3 (2006)

# Title Subject Date of Disaster Airdate TV Rating
1 SAS Mission Impossible Operation Barras September 10, 2000  ?  ?
2 Falling Star - Columbia Space Shuttle Columbia Break-Up February 1, 2003  ?  ?
3 A Royal Massacre - Nepal A Nepalese Royal Massacre June 1, 2001  ?  ?
4 Hostage Rescue in Lima Japanese Embassy Hostage Crisis April 22, 1997  ?  ?
5 The North Hollywood Shootout Bank Robbery and Shootout February 28, 1997  ?  ?
6 Shoot-Out in Marseilles Hijack December 26, 1994  ?  ?

Filming errors

In certain reenactments, newer model vehicles manufactured long after the historical event can be seen being used or make their way into the scene. An example is the reenactment of the North Hollywood shootout where a later model Ford Explorer and a newer Dodge Caravan are used as the SWAT vehicle and a cover vehicle respectively.

See Also

References