An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th
NZ release: 30 September 2024
Content that may disturb, violence Rated on: 30 September 2024
What’s it about?
An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th examines the background and motivations of the 1995 Oklahoma City bomber, and how the rise of militant, anti-government extremist groups across the United States influenced—and possibly helped set up—the attack.
The facts
- Directed by Marc Levin and produced by Katie Couric
- English language
- Runtime: 99 minutes
Why did it get this rating?
This film was self-rated by Neon. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.
White supremacist imagery
News and archival footage shows white supremacist groups and prominent figures in white supremacist movements in the 1980s and 1990s. Symbols such as swastikas, the Nazi Reichsadler and burning crosses appear in montages, along with Nazi salutes and signs with discriminatory messages.
Violence
News footage from the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing shows victims being carried away from the scene by rescuers. The victims’ faces are bloodied – some are children.
Footage from other world events includes:
- the 1983 bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut, showing bloodied, injured victims;
- the 1993 siege at Waco, showing authorities breaking into the compound, aiming guns and carrying the wounded away;
- the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol in Washington DC, showing rioters scuffling with enforcement officers.
Crime and terrorism
Crime and domestic terrorism are discussed extensively throughout the film.
Hate crimes carried out by white supremacists are discussed, with news footage showing images of victims and newspaper clippings detailing the crimes.
An interviewee describes finding far-right online communities who were praising the actions of the bomber shortly after the attack.
An amateur video shows masked men holding dollar bills up to the camera and speaking of their “plunder”. A reporter describes bank robberies the group had undertaken.
Suicide and self-harm
A family member of one of the victims recalls how she was drinking heavily after the bombing, which led her to fall and injure herself. She says she might have killed herself if she did not “find something positive to do”.
Other content that may disturb
An interviewee describes in detail how the bomber was executed. He explains how the execution was filmed, with victims and family members watching in a nearby auditorium.
Survivors and family members describe the physical and emotional impact of the bombing. Some recall upsetting stories about learning of the fate of their loved ones.
When content stays with you
We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.
Further information
Recent featured decisions
Content that may disturb, sexual violence themes