Burp! Pepsi v Coke in the Ice Cold War

1984, Society  -   8 Comments
8.09
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Ratings: 8.09/10 from 22 users.

Sometimes a soft drink is more than just a soft drink. Take the two titans of popular carbonated beverages - Pepsi and Coke. As told in the amusing and informative documentary titled Burp! Pepsi v Coke in the Ice Cold War, their history on the battleground of consumer dominance is rich and checkered, and involves many of the key players in global politics from the past century.

The film provides us with a brief history of each brand's origins. Coca-Cola was invented by pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton, who initially laced his tasty syrup with cocaine. He soon sold the business for a measly sum to Atlanta businessman Asa Candler, under whose leadership the brand flourished as an essential representation of American values and progress.

Pepsi was first introduced to the public in the late 1800's as a pleasurable cure to an upset stomach. In spite of Coca-Cola's stream of litigious actions against all imitators, Pepsi somehow managed to survive, and currently enjoys popularity in more than 145 countries all over the world.

As elucidated in the film, the tug-of-war between the two brands has been fought on many fronts. For example, their endless game of one-upmanship played out in the open within the realm of advertising. Collectively, both companies perfected the ability of advertising to influence popular culture around the globe.

Wartime was a particularly advantageous period of time for both brands. Which brand was more uniquely American? Which was more supportive of the troops, and of the United States' efforts to defeat communism? Any claims of immoral war profiteering were drowned out by the gulping sounds of satisfied customers.

The film fully succeeds in its exploration of the surprising ties between global politics and consumer products. We see Coke and Pepsi's exploits with world leaders in Cuba, the Soviet Union, China and Chile, as well as their efforts to promote diplomacy and even influence military outcomes.

Burp! Pepsi v Coke in the Ice Cold War may be satirical in tone at times, but its insights into the hypnotizing power of advertising in shaping consumer taste and global affairs couldn't be more serious.

Directed by: Alan Lowery

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8 Comments / User Reviews

  1. redbull

    @dougkdh- er... are you paying attention... that IS John Pilger and he is credited at the end as the reporter. I would say he gets credit.

  2. flybow

    see mark thomas talk about coke.

  3. dougkdh

    This has been done by John Pilger many years ago. I notice John, an Australian gets absolutely NO credit for it, even tho he was the one who instigated this debacle...
    poor show indeed....

  4. Leigh Atkins

    The opinions of both CEOs gave me gas - what a lot of bloated claptrap. The rationalizations that rich people will use to justify their activities is mind-boggling, coz you can't be rich unless everyone around you is poor, & the poorer the better.
    "I'm drinking the same drink that the president of the USA drinks, therefore my life is more wonderful & now it has meaning. I'm destitute & live in a field of mud but somehow my clawing desire for caffeine-laden cola has made the world magically better" - ugh.
    And this doco is so old that they couldn't even mention more recent problems that the cola industry is now causing like the water supply problems created by the Coca Cola bottling plant in India. This appalling symbol of western culture just gets worse...

  5. Paul

    Both brand names are scrambling to see who is the most popular poison.

  6. Aida

    It's more than trash.... Aluminium cans, will kill , along with coke or Pepsi

  7. francisa

    Never get why people drink this liquid trash.

  8. bart

    Secret, Pepsi owns Coke, but Coke owns meth.