Let's be clear. The FX original production "Smallpox" is a fictional movie. The script's alleged smallpox epidemic did not happen. It is not happening now. Although the possibility does exist that a terrorist could start a worldwide smallpox outbreak. That is what makes this movie terrifying. "Smallpox" is filmed to look like a documentary, one that could be seen on Discovery Channel or PBS. A viewer who stumbles across this movie may easily believe that it is a news report about an actual event. Even knowing that it is a movie, viewers will have to continually remind themselves that it is a fictional story. Smallpox terrifies health and public officials. The virus starts out innocently, with patients complaining of headaches, body aches, fever, malaise and possible vomiting. The symptoms are similar to the common flu. Because the virus has an incubation period of seven to 17 days, people may be sick and not know it. A rash emerges, first in the mouth and throat, and quickly spreads over the body. By day three, the rash becomes raised bumps filled with a thick fluid. Once the rash begins, the virus is highly contagious, and remains contagious until each pustule scabs over and falls off. Historically 30 percent of patients will die. The virus is incredibly hard to contain, which makes it a desirable weapon for terrorists. The movie's premise documents a single terrorist's threat to the world. The outbreak begins in New York City in April 2002. A man infects himself with the smallpox virus. He then infects 20 people. They continue to unknowingly spread the disease. A 29-year-old woman goes to Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn with apparent flu symptoms. She is given Tylenol and told to go home. Two days later she returns to the hospital. This time she is covered with a rash resembling blisters. Doctors quickly contact the city's health department. "We had nothing. Not a clue to suggest the enormity of what was about to happen," says Dr. Sam Wiseman (Edwin Lewin), medical director for the New York Department of Health. On a commercial airline flight, an infected businessman unknowingly transports the virus to London. Within four days, London doctors confirm 100 cases of smallpox. The virus spreads quickly, especially in Third World countries without access to vaccines. As more cases are confirmed, the public panics. Truck drivers refuse to transport goods for fear of becoming sick. People find their doors and windows boarded up from the outside in efforts to keep carriers trapped inside. As food and other goods become scarce, widespread rioting begins. Governments declare martial law and begin sending people who may have been exposed to quarantine units. "Everybody was touched by the epidemic," says Lesley Peters (Leigh Zimmerman), a single mother who lives in London. "Everybody lost someone. Everybody was changed." By the end of the epidemic, the United States loses 1 million people. Sixty million people die worldwide. Director Daniel Percival blurs the line between reality and fiction. There is footage of actual terrorists attacks, such as the Saran gas attack in Tokyo's subway, the Oklahoma City bombing and the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City. While actors play the majority of the roles, the Rev. Al Sharpton plays himself in a news clip talking about the epidemic. The production fakes home videos of wedding receptions, tours of Russian chemical laboratories and random acts of violence. It becomes increasingly hard to determine what is real and what is phony. "Smallpox" offers a fascinating account of what could happen during a public health crisis. Percival made sure to cover every angle. Doctors struggle with how to care for so many sick patients. FBI agents scramble to discover who started the outbreak and why. Government officials agonize over how to distribute vaccines and how far people's rights can be compromised. Along the way, many lie to the public and do their best to cover up mistakes. From a technical standpoint, the movie is expertly directed and edited. The actors are perfect in the subdued interview settings. The result is a troubling look at what may happen someday. Additional Information:

Details

'Smallpox' 8 p.m. Sunday, FX

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