Radio Bikini
Radio Bikini is a 1988 American documentary directed by Robert Stone. The 56-minute film, released on June 10, 1988, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and later aired on PBS’s The American Experience.
The film looks at the 1946 Bikini Atoll nuclear tests (Operation Crossroads) and their impact on the Bikini Islanders and the U.S. servicemen involved. It blends archival footage with personal testimony from two key witnesses: Kilon Bauno, the Bikinians’ chief who led his people through relocation, and John Smitherman, a Navy pilot who participated in the tests. The production was led by Robert Stone with Kevin Rafferty and John Rayter, and attorney Jonathan Weisgall contributed, later publishing a book on the topic.
Critics praised the documentary for its powerful and nuanced portrayal of the events and their consequences. The Los Angeles Times called it an outstanding achievement, and The Washington Post described it as a harrowing look at the fallout for both Bikinians and servicemen. Some reviews noted that the film centers on the victims and questions the government’s handling of the tests, including the lack of informed consent for many servicemen.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:43 (CET).