The Science of Disease: World War Z (2013) vs. Contagion (2011)

In this video, we explore the depiction of diseases in two films: 2013's "World War Z" and 2011's "Contagion, which have similar narratives but take drastically different approaches.
Sources:
How it should have ended: World War Z
• How World War Z Should...
What Bill Gates is afraid of
• What Bill Gates is afr...

[@Lovicide]

You said viruses are a form of life. they are a non-living organism

[@FilmHerald]

I was hoping someone would bring that up! Again I did not include this explanation in the video as it's far too long-winded and not terribly related to the topic. Life is typically defined by maintaining certain processes, such as homeostasis, metabolism, adaptation, reproduction, etc. Viruses do not under most circumstances take part in any of these. For example, a virus under the right conditions will last thousands of years because it doesn't require any of the processes listed above and is more or less just a collection of complex molecules. However, I submit to you that, at the very least, viruses are life's distant cousins. A massive portion (around 42-48%) of your genome is comprised of genes that do nothing but copy themselves over and over again, called transposable elements. Class 1 transposable elements, also known as retrotransposons, have identical replication cycles as retroviruses like HIV or HTLV. The only difference is that HIV has managed to acquire several other genes which allow it to replicate a protein shell capable of exiting and entering cells, among a few other genes. Other viruses are only one step away from this replication cycle, and do not embed themselves in your genome. Furthermore, there is significant evidence in our genome of endogenous retroviruses which clearly were once retrotransposons but have since evolved into retroviruses and visa versa. In high school I was taught that viruses are non-living organisms. However in university I did a lot of research in retroviral genetics and came to the conclusion that the distinction between life and non-life is pretty irrelevant. They may not have the same processes like a metabolism or homeostasis as life does, but neither does a seed, nor does an endospore; they're created from life, can themselves create life, but do not have the same processes of life, and so like a virus can last centuries under the right conditions. I had this discussion with the biology department head of my university and he agreed that calling life one thing and viruses another is unecessary. He called them life and so do I. My dream research project would be to find a way of combining the rudimentary phyologenetic tree of viruses with the tree of life. But that would probably take a lifetime.

[@zondfinn2100]

Film Herald and now I have learned more than I did at school since my teacher argued with me to just say they are non living even though the notes themselves said that it's not exactly clear on what to call it

[@saraha318]

Film Herald And I can barely even remember the stages of mitosis...

[@generous_coconut]

Mostly a non-living thing...

[@mrfaceujelly4798]

IKR!? I was immediately triggered when he said it 😂

[@russetwolf13]

Man, I remember when Contagion came out. We left the theater physically uncomfortable due to the extreme realism and plausibility. It was an unpleasantly well made.

[@raptorcell6633]

It was too the point that if you didnt know any better, you may have left thinking it was a documentary.

[@seraphina985]

@@raptorcell6633 One good thing about movies like that though is that if the worst does happen memories of it might encourage more people to be inclined to listen to warnings from medical services. If it even makes a few percent of people think twice about ignoring advice from authorities like advice to isolate yourself and your family from anyone outside your home as much as possible etc it could certainly prove a literal lifesaver.

[@Rosario_Verano]

Though it ends on a brighter note. The chef who touched the pig, infected the blonde woman.... because he didn't wash his hands. It all come back to the same thing we're being told over and over again. xD

[@elaz925]

I walked out of the theater just to have someone immediately cough behind me, everyone look uncomfortable

[@Rosario_Verano]

@@elaz925 They probably did it on purpose to freak everyone out. That's what I'd do at least.

[@nilsarnryd3865]

this video hits different now

[@bearbearswag]

New virus, previously unknown to people, airborne, originated from bats. Contagion got it right :/

[@Metalraptor-wp5tu]

Yea

[@metta4270]

Yeah especially the thing with Chinese bats

[@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216]

@@bearbearswag now imagine, just imagine the Corona evolves into the contagion type. Just when you thought 2020calendar year of disasters is done, it's not. It's still July and we still have 5 disaster months to look forward to.

[@bearbearswag]

@@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216 im scared now

[@thejakyl1369]

The sad part is the book never tries to science this. It deals with the human reaction to a devastating plauge. The movie is an abortion of the books concepts and characters.

[@chazzmush4058]

For real the book is about the logistics of humanity almost falling apart and piecing everything back together, the movie was just a brad Pitt action flick.

[@Fiver565]

My favorite part of the book was when they finally found that small dogs like chihuahuas have a purpose XD I found that part really funny for some reason

[@thecoolerrats7144]

Fox Mulder workable as a faux documentary. Interviews with survivors start off face to face but switch to the action as if the person is remembering or describing what happened. However I have to concede that due to time constraint it would probably be much better as a series....

[@cheesecakelasagna]

The Cooler Rats dude, are you on to doing it?

[@BarbeqdBrwniez]

The Zombie Survival Guide does a decent job of being sciencey about it.a TV show using scenarios from interviews (world war z) and then how it could have been better (zombie survival guide tips) would be assume. The movie was a colossal letdown.

[@Timcoe4]

"This scenario really could happen" - You can say that again.....

[@kingqu33f]

“This scenario really could happen*

[@noizsegat1924]

Alternative Title: Man gives himself aids to escape COVID-19.

[@esoog]

ok peter

[@blackhawkuh-6026]

The mitochondria is the power house of the cell

[@jacksongarrett6858]

Contagion did the science so well that my high school biology teacher had us watch it for our in class final review on everything we learned that semester

[@CrazyAnimeGirl8D]

Yeah my environment teacher had us watch it in my Senior year. Why, I don't remember anymore as it was about two years ago but probably about something important I am sure.

[@crashharmonyroberson5076]

We did the same lol

[@gracedell]

Jackson Garrett my sister watched it in her freshman science class (idk the specific class) and so we watched it at home because it was interesting.

[@sunitamirdha6770]

and it's reality now

[@klulu-kun]

Your teacher a real one.

[@ToddHowar.d]

It’s cool cause we watched Contagion in our pre-ap bio class and our teacher had secretly put some UV reactive stuff on the doorknob and showed us how easily transmission can occur because most of us had it on our hands and we had then spread it practically everywhere without knowing.

[@stevekillgore9272]

Now that's cool.

[@Sam-rf3ss]

Wish I had that teacher

[@inxendere]

i will never forgive u for fallout 76

[@jean-alexandre5594]

@@inxendere 😂😂😂

[@chicnoir29]

Now that’s teaching.

[@Waltham1892]

Before I proceed I just want to mention that my Daughter and I are assholes. Ok, so, my daughter and I saw Contagion early in its release and the theater was crowded. When the movie ended the audience began to bunch up by the exit door from the theater. I still had a bit of the soda I had been drinking during the movie and took a sip which went down the wrong way causing me to cough. My daughter made eye contact with me, gave me a look, and I began to cough harder. A moment later, she began to cough too. Folks turned around with worried expressions on their faces and then made an expedited exit from the movie theater. Ah, good times.

[@steviepotato3520]

You guys won the day for me :D

[@gilbertmanson1272]

r/thathappened

[@gregmcgregginton574]

and then everyone clapped, right?

[@Username-jd5yj]

@@gilbertmanson1272 ew, a redditor

[@Crick1952]

#familygoals

[@JeniJustJeni]

One more difference between the movies: WWZ left me feeling amused, Contagion left me afraid to leave my house.

[@Jaxymann]

Coronavirus: *It’s rewind time.*

[@elliotwoo6127]

damn hows your quarantine

[@kiraaisling9603]

*touches head* ah that’s hot, that’s hot.

[@hereitcgaming9294]

Ebola: Thats hot

[@istoleurfaceha3527]

AHA YA

[@idriveajihad6709]

This was made in malta and I live here

[@BasementMinions]

The WWZ book also has zombie magic but doesn’t solve the problem through science but rather through slow thoughtful execution of military resistance. Spending it's time looking at how humans would react through isolated short stories. Love that freeken book. Sad to see the adaptation didn't pan out.

[@HungNguyen-ym7gu]

Not to mention that the book also explained a very important fact about the Solange (zombie virus): It is NOT capable of CREATING life, but rather, MODIFYING it. That's one of the worst, if not the worst f*ck up of World War Pitt

[@thatsnodildo1974]

BasementMinions remember the Japanese kid? That part had my laughing so damn hard

[@mjamitche5245]

I haven't read the book. But, it was apparent to me from watching the movie that it wasn't attempting to solve the problem through science-thus the reason for killing the scientist. It was very obvious to me that the approach was one of military investigation, which was why they sent a UN investigator with military escorts. I've heard the movie was disappointing to those who had read the book. But, as both a movie goer and someone with a science background, I enjoyed the refreshing perspective of the UN investigator who just solves international problems by meeting with people and figuring things out. I look forward to WWZ 2. Maybe they will incorporate more of the book.

[@McCbobbish]

BasementMinions to be honest, the book aint so great.

[@tankhellisgreat8950]

McCbobbish it's my favorite book lmao

[@Terra-Antares]

Scientific accuracy = Boring movie theme Zombies + Guns = Very successful film That's the main problem, making a movie like contagion means it'll be heavily under appreciated and likely unsuccessful.

[@dongssi3967]

Simple Brian People just doesn't like movies that are too real, too scientific.

[@Thisnameistaken99999]

Contagion wasn't boring because of scientific accuracy, it was boring because the characters were one dimensional and it felt like their actions had no impact on the plot.

[@koreencam9193]

it was good though

[@septicbutterfly2714]

Some schools do show but it still is under appreciated. Tbh I think that world war z was boring and never finished it. I did fall asleep on contagion the 1st time I watched it but that's due to having to watch it early in the morning.

[@elisawilliamson4486]

Don’t forget + Brad Pitt

[@SupaFlyJedi]

IMHO, World War Z would've been much better as an episodic HBO series (like Band of Brothers or The Pacific) where they actually follow the book chapter by chapter. Have Max Brooks and the interviewee performing the interview, interspersed with action shots of what they're talking about. IE, "we entered the cave and found a bunch of bodies" and then show it. The reason that Contagion (great movie, btw) didn't do well is because it was too much like a documentary for most people's tastes.

[@raptorcell6633]

I would kill for a show like that, i fucking love the book.

[@mordador2702]

@@christopherbertoli7322 Yeah, agree on the missing marketing. I would never have heard of the movie if we didnt watch it in 8th grade.

[@mohawk4759]

i still really want a revamped short series or animation that follows the oral history of the zombie war

[@StellarLobos]

The book was AMAZING and it pissed me off so much that, because of one of the shittiest zombie movies ever made, all that people think of in terms of "World War Z" is "Brad Pitt: Zombie Movie." I mean, fuck, each chapter is set up to operate like its own movie or at least episode of a tv show. During the first defining battle in the US outside of New York (The Battle of Yonkers), the military seeks to use all of its amazing advanced gear to inspire the public, it turns into a disaster because fear tactics don't work on the undead and troops end up being bogged down by useless gear like bulletproof vests, night-vision goggles, and other unnecessary gear. The book forgoes the scientific aspects of the plague and instead focuses on the international collapses and methods of survival by different cultures. After all, the book is supposed to be by a UN historian/writer going over why the epidemic was able to spread as a result of disinformation and cover-ups, and how to prevent the policy and societal mistakes that lead to disaster. It's not seeking to cure the outbreak, but eliminate the undead as a whole. I highly recommend the book to anyone who hasn't read it because, where the movie has no message, the book does (may be different person-to-person): in terms of the survival of humanity, sometimes you have to sacrifice the few to save the whole.

[@Quarter324]

One of my favorite moments in the theater was watching World War Z on opening night The entire audience laughed at humanities last hope slipping and shooting himself.

[@neillenhart6838]

Contagion is so realistic they even make sure the deceased have dilated pupils. Nuff said.

[@nolinbohon6846]

I was actually shown contagion in a high school biology class

[@Dog-qn5sl]

Nolin Bohon me too, i have an ex high school science teacher, but she showed us this like 3 months ago, on the 7th grade class I got with her teaching Edit: formating

[@Then00bhunt3r]

My teacher showed us Gattaca as well

[@PanzerMan332]

Same, we watched it in 8th grade. We also got to play Pandemic 2 on our school computers because we were learning about viruses or something.

[@voidyll5582]

1:31 BOIIII, first of all mother nature is probably just protecting itself from us so we dont COMPLETELY DESTROY ITS ENVIRONMENTS, AHHH, WE ARE DESTROYING THE EARTH WE CANT BLAME MOTHER NATURE FOR KILLING US WHEN WE HAVE BEEN KILLING IT LIKE A VIRUS!!!!

[@accountii6382]

You're an idiot@@voidyll5582

[@williambenedictalava2634]

Contagion gives me chill like whoa.. wtf that single bat just kill almost the entire world.

[@karlbaxter3350]

I watched it twice and it still scares me, for me the music and how they showed the process of the infection across the worldliturally gave me nightmares for a week (nightmares about viral infections killing me)

[@eustache_dauger]

Nipah Virus did exactly just that in late 90s

[@colinsmith1495]

The reality is most of those diseases have a much higher survival rate with basic care. I.e. drink plenty, eat healthy food, and keep any open wounds clean and you go from mortality rates like 50-60% to mortality rates of 5-10%. Still scary, but not wiping out 2/3rds of Europe. We've actually had several diseases like the Contagion one come out over the past 30 years in 1st to 2nd world countries. They're typically big scares for a year or two and then aren't that big of a thing, because people have survived and built up a resistance. Think Swine Flu or Bird Flu. Really scary for a little while, not talked about much any more.

[@Mazra42]

​@@colinsmith1495 Remember when that one infected guy managed to get on a plane and leave Africa with Ebola in his system? I sure remember. Hadn't seen that many 'breaking news' bulletins on TV since 9/11.

[@sakari_119]

Literally one out break of Ebola was that

[@antagonizerr]

Why couldn't the Z virus be a prion? The infection method is essentially the same as a virus, using bodily fluids or tissue, it's self replicating, and cannot be destroyed by heat or cold, and like the Z virus, isn't transmittable by air. It has the same effects as, say, a cordycept where it alters the brain causing violent outbursts and dementia, with its only difference being the length of infection. Prions usually take years to show, rather than minutes, but science has never negated the possibility of a fast acting prion, meaning that a mutated form of the protein could indeed spread within minutes. The biggest defining difference between a virus and a prion is that there is no possible way to cure a prion. You could burn a body completely, but get a bit of remnant blood or saliva in a cut, and you too are infected. Prions are, easily, the most likely form that a zombie outbreak would take, but the infected would be closer to 28 days later zombies than Night of the living dead zombies.

[@FilmHerald]

Great question! I planned to put in a big explanation as to why I picked viruses but I thought it would be too dry for most people. My reason for ruling out prions is exactly as you say: every known disease caused by prions takes months to years to manifest, therefore at least for this particular zombie pathogen it's not a good fit. If we didn't actually get to see how long the incubation time was and it turned out that everyone had been harboring a prion pathogen for months, not only would that be A), super cool, it would B), actually make sense. Of course a virus also isn't capable of a 10 second incubation time, and I struggle to think of anything in nature that would be, but viruses are the closest fit as the "fastest" viruses are capable of 6-8 hour incubation times (a la spanish flu). The other reason I ruled out prions is because we simply don't know enough about them. While it's true that maybe a fast acting prion could be possible, there isn't any natural precedent we know of where this is the case. This is partly because prions cause so little disease in humans. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the most prevalent disease caused by prions that we know of, affects only 1 in a million people annually in the United States. As a result, prion research has a low priority on the research funding totem pole. Because we know so little about them, it would have been too speculative of me to choose prions as the best candidate for the Z pathogen. I wouldn't rule out a fast acting prion but we've never actually seen one either. You may disagree with that logic but I basically just decided that there wasn't enough data to seriously consider prions.If I were to rank the possible pathogens in order of likelihood it would be as follows: 1. Viruses 2. Bacteria 3. Prions 4. Fungi 5. Parasites Thanks for the great question!

[@antagonizerr]

A virus suffers the same slow acting issue as a prion with, I believe, Ebola being the most deadly, infecting in as little as a day, tho there have been numerous patients who have lived with it for months without symptom. But again, it doesn't negate mutation. It's the same principal that's applied to transmission. We've never seen a virus change its form of transmission, in a lab, (i.e. bloodborne to airborne) but, in theory it's immensely possible. As for bacteria, I'd suggest that it's their size than mitigates their likelihood of being the culprit. We often use viruses to cure bacteria, and they've shown to be far less damaging to their hosts than most viruses themselves. Again, I have to throw in for the prion. Using the hypothetical "mutation" applied to a virus or a prion, the prion wins because it also adds the lack of curability. Think of it like Kurt Vonnegut's 'ice9'. Everything it touches, also becomes a prion, where a virus requires propagation within the cells themselves. A prion cannot be destroyed in the traditional sense, as a virus would be (you can kill ebola on surfaces using little more than a bottle of bleach), and can exist, literally, indefinitely within or outside a host until the matter that makes up said prion is destroyed at the atomic level. It's pretty much immortal in that a bit of spit, left on a door handle can infect someone years or decades later. It is crazy scary to think of a prion based zombie outbreak. So, with that I'd have to reorganize your list like this adding in 'mutation' as a potential; 1 virus OR prion 2 cordycept 3 bacteria 4 parasite I put cordycept above bacteria because of how it spreads. You can kill 99.99999% of it, and you won't even have slowed down its growth. Also, it's frequently used as a 'health food' remedy. Imagine mutation on that level. But that's a different discussion...lol Ya fantastic theory btw. I've always had a problem with how zombies recognize the 'us vs. them', and how no explanation, so far, has been satisfactory.

[@FilmHerald]

I agree that prions are fascinating but I think we have to agree to disagree on the most likely Z pathogen candidate. But the fact that zombies in films act like a unified entity and don't just destroy themselves on sight is totally ridiculous and makes no sense, I 100% agree with you on that one.

[@Mongkut72]

Virus incubation is on the scale of days or maybe weeks at the longest, whereas known mammalian prions are on the scale of years and decades. That and prions such as BSE and scrapies tend to waste away the nerve system and muscles, making the fast pace of zombies unrealistic.

[@venlil]

antagonizerr a fungus would be much more efficient

[@ethanstroh4084]

Anyone else watching this in January of 2020 and is like “hey contagion is literally like how corovirus started”

[@dadon6055]

yep.

[@littleboyman946]

‘corovirus’ i-

[@basil9973]

*Terrified human noises*

[@tubulartopher]

What's weird is that the second person to be infected in the US by the COVID-19 virus lives in Chicago. In the movie Contagion, the second person to be infected in the US lives in Chicago.

[@hungrygarfield]

They're not really the same at all though, MEV-1 is much much worse than COVID-19 will ever be

[@jz6532]

Contagion is so good. I watched it 6 times. I love how real it is. But for World War Z, I was like "how come Brad Pitt is the only one who noticed that sick people are being avoided by zombies. No one else in the entire world noticed?" Most of my friends like the movie though. I was the only person who think it's soooooo stupid.

[@Khenfu_Cake]

I thought the same too. Wouldn't say people working at hospitals or medical clinics where there are loads of sick people notice the zombies giving them a wide berth?? Not to mention all the sick people themselves noticing the waves of undead simply ignoring them (I still find it weird they are willing to trample each other but they will move around sick people, wouldn't they still just trample them even if they won't outright attack them with bites?)

[@dadon6055]

Did you ever see that movie about coronavirus set in 2020? oh wait that is our lives right now.

[@Wednesdaywoe1975]

White Male Plot Divination. It's especially powerful if said white male is pretty.

[@trisz72]

I personally loved the movie, but that's mostly because I will watch literally anything that has fast zombies and an apocalypse in it, I guess I'm just addicted to zombie flicks :D

[@noahkaltenbaugh]

@@trisz72 haha, I’m the opposite

[@ziggy8253]

How many times did you show Brad Pitt hacking off that soldier's arm.

[@kalajel]

About as many times as you have upvotes...

[@phylippezimmermannpaquin2062]

It's a fetish

[@01strawberryfig]

How many times did he repeat brad Pitt saying “pathogen”

[@admin.slayerenryu]

Its pretty much a thing in Star Wars too

[@FreedomPuppy]

WHAT IS THIS, SCIENCE? I WAS PROMISED NUDITY! INSTEAD I LEARNED A LOT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

[@beep3038]

Wtf? What nudity?

[@johnbrick9422]

Looksie Oopsie Doopsie ever heard of a joke?

[@beep3038]

@@johnbrick9422 yes, but i don't know where it was said or gave the idea there could be nudity there, so since i didn't find it or thought it was funny, i asked what nudity?

[@yishientan3371]

Looksie Oopsie Doopsie watch the start of the video again where he puts the warning, genius.

[@beep3038]

@@yishientan3371 oh wow, i didn't notice one thing that is only around 4 seconds long and i'm a dumbass wow what a funny and delightful person you are

[@mrteatime8684]

I'm currently reading the World war Z book, so far I'm liking it a lot more than the movie

[@RotneybotOfficial]

Mr Teatime One of the many examples that novel is better than film.

[@christiandauz3742]

The book still isn't realistic at all (Especially since it is slow walkers)

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

You only need to get about 2.5 pages into the book to like it more than the movie...

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

@@christiandauz3742 C'mon, it's just as realistic as the Walking Dead... that's good enough for me!

[@ahonnafim6844]

no u

[@bharathbhat]

As someone who has majored in Genetics and studied Immunology, Contagion was the peak the biology nerd in me going orgasmic. A lot of my non biology friends found the movie boring, but boy, I LOVED Contagion.

[@xrstevenson]

I bet those friends are watching the hell out of that movie and going to you for questions

[@ottmah8256]

(@Bharath Bhat) BRuh, Contagion is like amazing, agreed with you on that. 😌👏👏

[@jamietodd2560]

It's January 2020 and the coronavirus has joined the game. ...I hope this comment doesn't become horrific in the future. edit: April 2020 -- ...shit. edit2: July 2020 -- Please, I didn't mean it! Just make it stop! edit3: January 2021 -- Has it only been a year?! But vaccines are on the way... but I'm in Phase 3! Oh god. edit4: May 2021 -- Well, I got my second vaccine. Now let's hope no resistant variants pop up. My god this has been surreal!

[@melissaanderson5204]

I'm going to but buy a gun JUST IN CASE OF ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE NEVER w

[@operaperu]

Hold my beer, from global quarantine...

[@PaunchyRobot]

*Curb Your Enthusiasm theme plays*

[@johnyamawaki2424]

BITCHHHHHHHHHH lol we're in the middle of a national lockdown due to coronavirus so yes, this is already horrific and no clear future ahead of us.

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

@@PaunchyRobot haha!

[@inayah115]

Needs health host. Host are dead. *Science 100*

[@thelonleyghast8975]

Nvm yeah it is *good* science

[@theimmortalsuperbeing549]

Actually if you could think better it makes perfect sense. An already diseased body might slow down or complicate or out right take the Hosts life when he/she got infected. The Virus dose not want to be slowed down complicated or be inside a dead host so it only goes after healthy ones to make the infection happen faster and better. You would not put a used defected tire on you're bike and ride it. You would use a new tire even know it will get dirty and marked but you use it because it's better then the other one because there is less chance off failure.

[@vdm_]

If you can play it slowly you can play it quickly

[@benjaminasbury5346]

@@theimmortalsuperbeing549 dude you're just wrong. The point is they cant find a cure because the hosts are dead. Essentially they get infected, then die in 10 seconds. So the idea that the pathogen needs a healthy host only to kill them 10 seconds later is fucking stupid. Furthermore, nothing small enough to infect you has the capacity to think. It cant say to itself, "hm that guy seems too slow, lets not infect him". No pathogen cares who or what it infects. This whole "logic" is stupid

[@toomanyaccounts]

@@benjaminasbury5346 also how the fuck does the infected dead body be able to sense someone being terminal? also the fucking number of people in India that have such terminal ailments would have tipped off everyone. oh entire wards of people with AIDs are being left along by the zombies.

[@elimidd6626]

Read the book! This movie took the name world war z and threw out LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE. The author of the book takes a pretty realistic approach to a zombie outbreak in the modern day and once again, nothing in the book was in the movie.

[@Archon3960]

Danny 6798 Cash. Cash everywhere.

[@realtsavo]

That's not true at all. The movie changed a lot, but it also kept quite a bit from the book. At least parts of it. The intention was, I think, to continue to cover parts from the book in the later films.

[@raptorcell6633]

@@realtsavo According to Max himself the only thing that the movie and book have in common apart from being titled World War Z and being about Zombies is that both share ONE CHARACTER, who i think dies in the film. The original script for the film was going to be a lot more similar, it was even going to include a battle in Russia, a direct inspiration from one of the chapters in the book.

[@asdlogician6536]

Max Brook’s book was vastly different. I’ve caught his appearances, and like both his parents (Mel Brooks/Anne Bancroft), he’s NOT an idiot. Why the movie adaptation completely screwed the pooch may have to do with how (and by whom) screenplays are written. Furthermore, most movies are “tested” with audiences to finesse the movie to attract the most viewers. I doubt Max Brooks had much to do with the film upon which his book is based. What I can say is that “Contagion” is the best movie (besides “And the Band Played On”) about how pandemics are spread. It’s not “if.”It’s always “when.”

[@matthewstanley8295]

@@realtsavo yeah like jeez toxic fanbases

[@10000_angry_bees]

I came here to see which movie was better but now I think I'll become a virologist

[@Hellooo134]

Correction: charles Darwin didnt singlehandedly discover evolution. It had actually been an idea for decades he just provided the most proof and popularized it. Youre right about bohr and Einstein tho

[@m2heavyindustries378]

Thanks creationist, what will science do without you. Oh wait literally everything

[@hbsblkk3842]

It’s a shame it’s bullshit

[@alexanderproges1769]

The most Stupid line in WWZ was: Airplanes where the perfect way of distribution. How the F! The people turn in Seconds There is no way Infected get onto a plane and the Plane getting off the ground

[@Mr_Smith_369]

What do you think of that line now ?

[@wawawalter2887]

Mr Smith yikes

[@milboxr9772]

@@Mr_Smith_369 I mean hes still right, if the infected turn in seconds in world war z then that wouldn't be long enough for the plane to fly and land and spread it since everyone on the plane would already be bit and turned immediately when not even flying

[@egmorox13]

i loved contagion, it freaked me out so much! Great video!!

[@thatsnodildo1974]

cait cahalane remember it coule happen. So be sure to put on rubber gloves and was frequently as often

[@StaffiesAreKing]

cait cahalane ikr

[@Tsumami__]

Thats Nodildo More Like remember to get yourself and your child vaccinated. A super bug will emerge soon enough, and washing your hands won’t stop it.

[@Andytlp]

@@Tsumami__ id be more worried about some lab pathogen released with intent. Or unintentional nuclear power plant meltdown. Nuclear war is unlikely as its in no ones interest to have the planet be rendered sterile.

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

Contagion is a way scarier movie because its realistic and could actually happen. And while humanity may eventually ride through it or create a vaccine... many will die before then. The zombie "horror" movie is more of a zombie "comedy" movie with truckload of cringe. Also nuclear meltdowns are quite rare and very unlikely. Nuclear power kills the least amount of people yearly out of all power sources. Although when shit does hit the fan, it can be quite devastating as Chernobyl and Fukushima shows.

[@demongrenade2748]

World War Z would have been better if the ending didn't revolve around getting around the disease through using disease. Thats retarded. The book focused on people as a whole dealing with and overcoming the Zombie war. If the movie would have centered around the conflict instead of a means to cure the disease, then it would have been a much better movie. Btw if you haven't read the book I totally recommend it. If you have audible then definitely check it out. Its got an amazing cast including Mark Hamil, Martin Scorsese, and Nathin Fillion and a bunch of others. Its a real treat to listen to.

[@dontrestyourhead]

I was so excited when I found out it was becoming a film, and with every piece of news about it I grew more and more disappointed.

[@FilmHerald]

It's me I'm back Congratulations to those who make it all the way through

[@anhonestlawyer5193]

Film Herald Finally lol.

[@killian9314]

Film Herald you should have used the Novel, not the film, the novel has a sense of lore, and grounding completiom throgh horror and detail that makes it worth it

[@FilmHerald]

It's definitely something I'd like to read but from what I understand the novel has very little to do with the film and more or less just share a name. I doubt I would find the same problems in the novel.

[@renebaan7430]

it's great to see you back !

[@Nekosphere]

glad to see you back. I even thought about contacting you to ask if you are still doing something^^ nice to see that it is indeed still the case :)

[@reecedreyer2362]

who elese is watching during coronovirus outbreak?

[@elliotwoo6127]

From the future here: Pandemic

[@sucktitles]

According to my calculations, the number of times someone asked this question on youtube is constantly 200% times the total number of Coronavirus infections.

[@legiondestructorestelar8550]

Yes, here in Spain the boomer remover is cleaning the geriatrics, but the government is still buying false tests, outdated respirators, and it is literally letting people die, but we must not forget that until a week before quarantine they said that we had the best Health in the world, now is so good that only Italy surpasses us ...

[@liliummoonbeam4465]

Yep

[@LilyoftheLake14]

@@legiondestructorestelar8550 *United States:* hold my beer.

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

Will my depression protect me from the Zombies? Can they sense mental illnesses? Lol

[@ToddHowar.d]

God I hope so

[@chariethe]

*sad laughter*

[@tigertank06]

Hmmmm, I zombie with depression. I wonder how that would look. Lol.

[@kellernorth4351]

I-

[@sammyboy2007]

If so, basicly 90% of all Melenials are safe, including me!

[@anthonyhebisen]

The way brad Pitt even says the word “ pathogen” it sounds like he just learned the word that day and after two dozen takes, actually pronounced it correctly .

[@Finch_Fin]

Anti Vaxxers: my child's a zombie but i think the essential oils are helping Edit: Ya'll fucking chill with the replies. stop arguing

[@AmbuBadger]

Adhesive Noodles At least there’s a pleasant lavender scent for you to enjoy has he gnaws on the family Golden Retriever...

[@steakinbacon8593]

While I will say fuck anti vaxxers however I will also say eccential oils can help with pain and symptoms and such but I will also say that they are best paired with actual medicen and should not be seen as a super cure

[@steakinbacon8593]

I'm looking at you dipshit anti vaccers I'll be damned if a zombie outbreak happens because of them

[@ameliagrace1226]

We have to remember the pathogen avoids the terminally ill so I think the anti-vaxers will be fine

[@stevekillgore9272]

That was Herschel's stance.

[@Vicky-pf1mw]

I really enjoy the long video from you. I can tell you put a lot of effort and research into it and I greatly appreciate it. Keep up the great work!!

[@Vicky-pf1mw]

Definitely one of my favorite channels on YT.

[@FilmHerald]

Thanks so much!

[@boom-ln5ew]

Love how this was recommended after the Coronovirus outbreak... contagion irl bb

[@firstnamesurname8531]

I wasn’t watching a KZbin video I was in a Science lesson

[@mit3da9yo]

I loled when I saw plague inc. well done.

[@sircardboardbox7884]

JoJo Ma peliculas catolicas enespanol Peliculas cdistianas en espanol

[@suwinkhamchaiwong8382]

sircardboardbox can you say that inch high knees?

[@Alex-vt7lp]

Please read the WWZ novel and talk about it. Just because it's a good book and doesn't get much good discussion. That's all.

[@christiandauz3742]

The book doesn't make sense anyway If the zombie apocalypse were real, only tens of thousands of people would die at the most

[@Duhya]

It's not realistic, but it has a logic to it, and is a good read. The only thing it shares with the movie though is the name.

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

@@christiandauz3742 I have to beg to differ. I thought the book was amazing (compared to the movie, it's freaking Shakespeare). I don't know why you would say only tens of thousands of people would die during a zombie apocalypse. More people die from pathogens that are nowhere near as scary as a zombie one (i.e. the host doesn't actively hunt you down).

[@christiandauz3742]

The book is unrealistic and written by a 10 year old just like the Brooks family I can easily kill dozens upon dozens of slow zombies with just a spear and then just run away on a motorcycle, bike or car With slow zombies... everything is slow Combined with the militarize police in Amerikkka or competent police in most of the world, the zombie threat is extinguished before it would do any long lasting damage The bigger threat is that certain cults or terrorists organizations would take advantage of the zombie outbreak to start killing more people (or weaponize the zombie virus) There is this thing called the fucking internet that is always ignore in a zombie apocalypse A more plausible outbreak is the one found in Dying Light -There is a cure -Zombies are much more dangerous -Zombies aren't the only dangers in the quarantined Turkish city

[@OldBuggaboo]

@@christiandauz3742 did you read the book? Cause the cult issue actually happens and happens even before WWZ in the extended lore.

[@ardianworld777]

Very interesting video and the edits were hilarious! Brought a smile to my face in these difficult times. Things are getting pretty serious here due to the Corona Virus (I live in The Netherlands). When it all started in China I immediately thought of Contagion and even jokingly recommended this movie to others. Lo and behold how a mere month later things have changed and it's getting quite serious and intense. I'm 'glad' (sounds a bit strange) that Contagion has gained new recognition as I was always impressed by its harsh and no-nonsense realism. Stay safe all and take care of yourself and others

[@statestrawc8302]

“Contagion is a underrated science movie about an epidemic that could happen” 2020: *HM HM INTRESTING*

[@notalampshade6739]

Please never leave me again

[@ScrewNickk]

Not A Lamp Shade aaaannnd he's gone again

[@themissingpeace7956]

When I play Plague Inc. ,my disease’s name is Stupidity.

[@magiv4205]

Ah yes, the classic. "Stupidity has eradicated humanity. The last few humans lie dying in holes knowing there is no hope for survival."

[@victoriataylor6967]

contagion is such an underrated movie. it's one of the more haunting movies i've seen and also one of my favorites

[@kingslushie1018]

That drunk horse bit cracked me up! You sir have earned yourself a faithful subscriber!

[@ratnoh]

On Netflix theres a show called Containment, somewhat like this. Its about people being contained about a virus, only 1 season but I'd like to see something on it.

[@elaz925]

It’s a mini series so it’s a complete show in one season

[@aslanroman8824]

@@elaz925 nooo! I wanted more from that show!😭 But again I don't want a 10 season long show as well 🤷

[@aslanroman8824]

Also thanks for bringing this up! I love that show ❤️❤️

[@captainnerd6452]

FBI Person if you want more just keep watching the news...

[@Robert-rw5lm]

In World War Z they made the Zombies too overpowered, couldn't figure out a realistic way to beat it, and the worst part is that if they kept with book, may be feature the battle of Yonkers if they wanted the action (and keep Mark Hamill playing that character, he's more likable then Brad Pitt anyways)

[@hikenjeager8874]

King Tiger tooth they had a major battle like that in the book and everybody was slaughtered. They go through why the humans were overpowered in the book(Which I really recommend.)

[@christiandauz3742]

Bullshit, the humans were acting like complete imbeciles like in every monster flick! A single helicopter can distract and kill Millions of zombies with no sweat! We GOT FUCKING DRONES!

[@notyourdamnbusiness8795]

i liked the book....but like in the walking dead its kinda ridiculous that humans would struggle against a bunch of slow fucks. its fast zombies or no zombies.

[@crow9149]

@@christiandauz3742 "A single helicopter can distract and kill Millions of zombies with no sweat!" No, not really. It'll have a hard time killing "millions".

[@christiandauz3742]

@@crow9149 1. Use Sound to attract large number of zombies 2. Start a fire (Or explosion) 3. Rinse and repeat Horse Archers would decimate Zombies as well Battle of Carhae between Roman Republic and Parthia Persia

[@Soy-Food]

So I guess I’m watching Contagion. :)

[@AfroKreamy]

This video aged like fine wine

[@bluefrutes4767]

I can’t believe this dude isn’t at a million subs yet. These videos are so entertaining, speckled with humour throughout everything. Every episode I learn so much and my mind is blown 🤯🤯

[@davemuckeye]

54.66 million total views… so they aren’t doing too shabby eh…

[@AliceSuhina]

I am a microbiology PhD student, and I love Contagion. So far, the only movie I saw that didn't make me cringe. I appreciate the accuracy, the dedication to detail, and communication of true scientific process in the movie so much!

[@Curriay]

As a microbiology student, thanks for making this.

[@FilmHerald]

Nice to see a fellow biologist. You're very welcome!

[@GlowZoe]

Film Herald what about a virologist?

[@Luzmaldita577]

@@GlowZoe we dont give a fuck about those

[@OwlHand1908]

I love Contagion, but my one issue with the film is that it seems as if the mortality rate for the virus is far too fast, i.e. people die extremely quickly and are rather unlikely to spread the infection in time. It's been quite a while since I last watched the film, but for anyone better at math than I am, can you answer for this high mortality rate? Would the infection rate still be feasible?

[@FilmHerald]

When someone with a pulmonary tract virus (like the MEV-1 virus in Contagion) coughs or sneezes, they can release half a million virus particles into the air around them. A highly contagious virus, AKA one capable of A) easily entering the body and B) avoiding the immune system, will easily spread just through the host coughing or sneezing. Additionally the MEV-1 virus spread through infected surfaces; if an infected individual wiped their face and touched a door handle, the next person to touch that door handle will likely become infected. The approximate mortality rate of the MEV-1 virus was around 25%. Symptoms appeared after 1-2 days and death could occur 1-2 days after that. That's more than enough time to spread the virus to others, especially in the cities, airports, buses; anywhere there's crowds. It's also possible that the latency period is less than the incubation period which would allow a seemingly healthy individual to spread the virus to others. And because only 25% of those who contract the virus die, the other 75% are walking around and spreading the virus to others while they fight off the virus (though you'd hope they would attempt some kind of containment). Finally, the MEV-1 virus was basically modelled after the Spanish flu, which had similar symptoms and could also kill its host within only 48 hours. The Spanish flu had a mortality rate of 10-20% depending on the strain, and despite its "fast acting" nature, it was still one of the most devastating pathogens in human history. TLDR: The infection rate is very feasible, especially considering the pandemic started in a densely populated city and quickly spread to other major cities through airports. The basic reproduction rate (R-0) is not a calculation but rather based on available evidence. PS Sorry for writing you a book

[@Cat-the-dragon]

Not sure where I heard it but apparently Contagion was one of the most watched movies in the first half of 2020

[@azur7362]

To be fair, zombies do not bite each other, which means they must have a way of knowing who is infected and who is not.

[@ilikeceral3]

Even Darwin built the origin of species off of prior theories of evolution.

[@kotarojujo9465]

20:06 Welcome to the kill count where we tally up victims in our favourite movies i’m James A.Jannise

[@SirAroace]

Read World War Z (book), the movie is a horrible joke that has almost nothing to do with the book.

[@maldonadocruzm]

Even the author of the original book said "All that they kept was the name".

[@suwinkhamchaiwong8382]

The game too

[@thebigbadwolf6396]

Counterpoint, most of scientific breakthroughs happen by complete accident when someone's trying to look for something else

[@crabbybitch3188]

watching this in the midst of quarantine is trippy

[@Ethanpca]

I am now hiding in my bedroom until the world ends.

[@marymorra5201]

The zombie apocalypse could happen just after I die

[@JohanKylander]

The world has already ended.

[@darrelchovanec9150]

Oh my God, it's worse than being a zombie! You turned into a Liberal!! LOL

[@ChickenSaladBritt]

*frantic left for dead noises* in all this was a very well thought out compassion, though I knew the WWZ movie had some week links in story telling, didn't realize it to this extent.

[@Joe-lk2dm]

If this happens there is only one thing to do. It's a lot more simple than the pretentious movie suggests: hit the mystery box and get that ray gun ready

[@Mongkut72]

"Additionally, diseases exclusive to a particular species are sometimes capable of transmitting to new species. This is known as zoonosis." A better definition for zoonoses is "a pathogen that can be transferred from human to animal or animal to human". Zoonosis does not have to be exclusive to a particular species. Rabies is zoonotic and effects all mammals; that's an entire class, several classifications higher than species. While antigenic shift facilitates new zoonotic potential, zoonoses is nothing new; zoonotic rabies has been reported for as long as we have had written history. Also, I would keep HIV far, far from a zoonotic conversation. Yes, it is hypothesized that HIV originated from SIV, and groups like the CDC use SIV as a model for HIV. But I would hate for your viewers to accidentally misinterpret that HIV is zoonotic or in bush meat, as this has yet to be proven. More accredited thoughts on that: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15525322 Shout-out for explaining R0. I love me some epidemiological modeling. And... I should get back to the foot-and-mouth modeling I am suppose to be doing Source: I'm in school to become a vet and study veterinary public health, aka zoonotic diseases.

[@ruporcf]

This video was so good, please make more videos like this. There are a lot of disease films to explain and you are the right person to do that.

[@HDeDeDe]

I watched Contagion as a kid. I got it from the local library thinking it was a zombie movie and it scared me to my core. The idea that an invisible threat could damn near kill the entire world was freaky to me, not to mention the way that MEV-1 kills is extremely disturbing. I had completely forgotten about this movie and I'm glad that I was reminded of it. Never watched World War Z though it didn't really interest me.

[@warrioroflight6872]

So basically the idea is that World War Z created a virus that couldn't possibly exist and yet the movie tried to act as though it was realistic? (Sorry, the video discussed so many points that I had difficulty keeping track of it all.)

[@ItsGenoHD]

Lmao. My dude used plague inc.

[@gnomeconspiracy2122]

The World War Z novel was so much better.

[@rainbinedash2022]

Nicole Price That's a cute profile

[@gc3k]

Great video, and good job recognizing how well-made Contagion was years ago. I skipped all the snobby film essays about Contagion that were uniformly created around 2020

[@akilmonkey8039]

This helped me ace my health and science classes. THANKS!

[@Ethanpca]

OMG he is BACK!!!!!!

[@Ethanpca]

amazing vid man

[@blairmorgan9469]

Great to see a new video from you! Also, it's a small thing, I know, but there's a big misconception that the bubonic plague was carried by rats. The rats themselves did not carry the disease but the FLEAS they carried did have the disease. Maybe that's just general knowledge and it's easier to just show the rat as the carrier since they carried the fleas but I feel like historically it's an important distinction. I just wanted to put that out there for anyone who cares to know lol

[@amandaflowers95]

And prairie dogs are still carriers. Their fleas can transmit it, though the risk is very low. Who gets up close with a prairie dog?

[@Knarf2285]

Watching this in March of 2020, the 8:30 mark is a bit of serious foreshadowing.

[@raymond4871]

watching scientific depiction movies is one of my favorite pastimes. this is super interesting to watch during COVID-19 quarantine. love your content.

[@anthonymundy7265]

The intro “super fucking late edition” was the greatest part. Holy shit that was great.

[@mjamitche5245]

I get where you're coming from as someone who studies the Bubonic plague. I am very interested in the spread of disease-specifically epidemics. But, I liked WWZ better than Contagion. They are really very different in purpose and plot. Contagion is a drama with a message. WWZ is an action movie with a mystery. The mystery drives the plot forward. Brad Pit's character was hired to find out how to stop the spread of the "zombie" disease and not being a scientist made him approach the problem the only way he knew how. This is actually the main reason I liked it. When the scientist died I thought, "Oh no! There's no hope. What's he going to do now?" I was very intrigued. Brad Pit continued forward as he would any assignment as a UN investigator, and I found it very interesting that both Israel and Korea had temporarily effective methods of containment they had discovered for reasons specific to their nations histories. I was glad the movie didn't occur in a CDC lab, investigating viral or parasitic transmission-that's not what it was. I was really glad it wasn't about a limited number of vaccinations and the ethical dilemma of who gets the cure. It was an action mystery-those were the genres. It's a rare combination any more-I feel like they use to do more of in the 90's. My opinion is that the movie knew exactly what it was and didn't try to be deep or message driven, just intriguing and entertaining.

[@Archon3960]

mjamitche5 Yet, is it really important to explain where the contagion's coming from or what it is ? Zombies don't make sense from start. So why not make it like The Walking Dead or Chronicles of the Armageddon (or a certain book with the exact same title !), and keep the cause of the epidemic obscure ? Oh wait, I know. It might make the audience think ! We could loose so many cash ! D: Dumb producers...

[@realtsavo]

@@Archon3960 Because it's interesting. Also because the book was told from the perspective of a UN investigator interviewing survivors from the outbreak. It specifically covers the origins as well, and talks about the various events going on all over the world. It's a difficult book to adapt into a film, but the investigator trying to assist in the hunt for a cure, and backtracking the origins works pretty well in that format, while similarly covering the global scope.

[@FallingPicturesProductions]

So you're a fucking casual moviegoer. Just admit it, trying to hide it behind 'It's so interesting' just shows are simplistic your interests are.

[@matthewlo55]

Coronavirus: Ha ha I'm in danger.

[@fury556]

Your back! What caused the hiatus?

[@FilmHerald]

I've gotten hit with a lot of life over the past few months, but it was also just procrastination. C'est la vie!

[@TheAwkwardGamer]

5:55 "This scenario could really happen". Oh boy, he did not know how correct he was.

[@michaelyoung5613]

This is very good! One of the best science based video essays I've seen on KZbin. Contagion is one of my favorite outbreak-type movies because of how well researched it is regarding all scientific aspects of the movie. From the BSL-4 research facilities and suits (and how the isolation of the BSL-4 lab is explained), the investigation and epidemiology used to understand/track the viral outbreak to the eventual development of a treatment plan/vaccine is so well done it's what makes this film a favorite of mine. The film Outbreak is pretty good too, which revolves around a particularly virulent ebola virus strain making its way to America.

[@MrJ1GS4W]

This video aged like a fine wine. Shoutout to COVID-19

[@godlessrecovery8880]

I love World War Z... but it is a terrible movie on so many levels. Sometimes a movie has to be really awful to be this awesome.

[@momysbigcohones7255]

Bill Gates: I rate the chance of a deadly epidic spreading well over 50% Corona Virus: Challange accepted

[@FauxFoxPaw]

Bro, watching this video after 2020 is crazy.

[@foo-foocuddlypoops5694]

Made sure to go watch Contagion before the video. Thanks for helping me discover such a great film.

[@ShashaStudios]

I have lost count how many times I’ve watched this

[@ShashaStudios]

I’m back again

[@cocoabeans544]

This has aged properly

[@novastar6112]

Anyone watching this during the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak?

[@dauyszihndseudz]

Even if you dont upload anymore, ty dawg, you saved my Health grade!

[@septicbutterfly2714]

I watched contagion when I was in biology. It truly is a interesting movie and is really informational for learning how fast disease can transfer.

[@themostsecretscience6409]

Just checking this video out due to the sudden rise of the Corona Virus from China. Good info to know at this time.

[@availanila]

In his game Brad Pitt kills us all.

[@MarkoParabucki]

Rabies doesn't make people extremely aggressive. Its a type of encephalitis that follows the progression not unlike other viral diseases: incubation (the patient is asymptomatic), prodormal (patient shows flu like symptoms), acute stage: this is where the patient starts exibiting neurological symptoms - blurred vision, hydrophobia, confusion, and agitation. This agitated state can lead to the furious state, but the aggressive behavior does not manifest itself with the patient running around looking for a victim to bite. The patient human or an animal will rather act defensively, and human patient may bite someone only if otherwise restrained (our jaws just aren't designed like those of felines or canines). Anyways, the acute state progresses into paralysis soon, and from that into coma, and ultimately dead. Rabies infected person/animal gets too sick too soon to be an effective disease spreading monster.

[@dundee6402]

Marko Parabucki Kinda funny how a lot of people seem to depict Rabies as some sort of virus like the one in 28 Days Later.

[@realtsavo]

True enough. However, the outbreak in World War Z wasn't rabies. It was intially reported as rabies, mostly because nobody knew what to call it yet, and the early symptoms were similar enough. In the book the first name for it was "African Rabies", before they later figure out that it wasn't rabies at all. The film didn't specifically state it, but it's early references to rabies were a nod to that. It might have gone more into it in the sequel.

[@kent_cowboy]

Love this channel!

[@FilmHerald]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHSthoSoabumapIm15s

[@nucleardonkeyboy1361]

Pumparum !

[@Xxrob99xX]

I saw Contagion in theaters when I was 11 years old and it's scared the shit out of me more than any movie I've ever seen since, simply because it's so real.

[@irelianeedsbuff9041]

when he said “this scenario could really happen”, and i checked the upload date, well sheeshhhhhh😳

[@KenanTheFab]

I must say, it could be potentially possible for the WWZ zombies to sense if the host has some form of disease one way or the other, one case I'd like to bring up is a woman who was able to detect parkinsons in people based on smell, even for one that had not yet even been diagnosed by a doctor.

[@FilmHerald]

That sounds interesting, do you have a link or source?

[@KenanTheFab]

www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34583642 A quick google of "Woman smells parkinsons". Let's hope nobody peeks into my browser history or recent searchs lmao.

[@FilmHerald]

That's super interesting! Thanks for the link!

[@KenanTheFab]

No problem!

[@genericwhitekidthesecond4330]

kenan89 While that is possible on an individual scale, the problem here is that EVERY single zombie avoided anyone who was sick as if they didn't even exist. So still not really possible.