ST. GEORGE – A John Wayne film is pivoting from being an epic flop to a symbol of awareness in a new movie entitled The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout, which highlights the devastating impacts of nuclear testing on the cast and crew of the 1956 film The Conqueror.
The production of The Conqueror took place in Utah near multiple nuclear testing sites, and because of this, many of the film’s cast and crew would later develop cases of cancer…
The Tragic History Behind The Conqueror
Produced by Howard Hughes and released in 1956, The Conqueror was a big-budget film that starred John Wayne as Genghis Khan and Susan Hayward. Tragically, many members of its cast and crew succumbed to cancer due to filming near nuclear testing sites. A staggering 91 out of 220 cast and crew members reportedly developed cancer, with 45 deaths, including actors John Wayne and Susan Hayward.
Director William Nunez mentioned, The audiences didn’t know that the radiation not only affected Washington County and parts of Nevada and Arizona, but it spread throughout the entire nation…
A Documentary Exploring Untold Stories
The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout, directed by William Nunez, aims to shed light on the untold stories of those who suffered from cancer due to radiation exposure during the filming. Nunez emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about nuclear testing’s long-reaching impacts.
Production’s Impact on Southern Utah
Utah played home to dozens of large-scale movie productions, including The Conqueror. These productions injected significant funds into the local economy. However, it also tragically left a legacy of high cancer rates among locals. Films like The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout aim to depict these overlooked consequences.
But it wasn’t just its shameful critical reception that left The Conqueror radioactive for those involved with its production…
Nunez’s Drive for Awareness
William Nunez, deeply moved by the tragic stories, wanted to give voice to downwinders—people affected by nuclear fallout. His film discusses how nuclear testing still threatens environments today. He explores how it remains a pertinent issue decades later, hoping viewers realize that nothing really changes.
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