The film is a commentary on the psychological effects of the Cold War, the title deriving from the classic nursery rhyme.

One teacher and the children under her care walk through the countryside, with a slowly building sense of doom about what they believe to be the upcoming nuclear holocaust.

When several of the children finally gain access to a bomb shelter, they do not allow a female fellow student to join them, claiming there is not enough room.

A boy leaves the shelter to try and find her, and as he runs along outside a loud whining noise is suddenly heard overhead.

"[5] Critic Glenn Erickson described the film as an "uncompromising, difficult-to-watch ordeal" that is "quality filmmaking that expresses an important message [that is] tense and emotionally punishing," and that the film "find[s] the worst possible outcome to twist one’s insides in helpless frustration," likening it to "the traumatic connection between Duck and Cover and Miracle Mile — or 'Romper Room of Fear.