The China Syndrome (1979)
- Starring:
- Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, (more)
- Director(s):
- James Bridges
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
| Digital SD
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Synopsis of The China Syndrome
This gripping 1979 drama about the dangers of nuclear power carried an extra jolt when a real-life accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania occurred just weeks after the film opened. Kimberly Wells (Jane Fonda) is a TV reporter trying to advance from fluff pieces to harder news. Wells and cameraman Richard Adams (Michael Douglas, who also produced) are doing a story on energy when they happen to witness a near-meltdown at a local nuclear plant, averted only by quick-thinking engineer Jack Godell (Jack Lemmon). While Wells and Adams fruitlessly attempt to get the story on their station, Godell begins his own investigation and discovers that corporate greed and cost-trimming have led to potentially deadly faults in the plant's construction. He provides evidence of the faulty equipment, which could lead to another meltdown (the "China syndrome" of the title), to the station's soundman to deliver to Wells and Adams at a hearing on nuclear power. However, on the way to the hearing, the soundman is run off the road by evil henchmen, leading Godell to realize that his own life is threatened, possibly by his bosses at the plant. Driven to the edge of a breakdown, Godell takes over the plant's control room at gunpoint and demands to reveal his findings on TV. The plant's management, however, has other plans, and the facility itself is becoming dangerously unstable. Whether or not you agree with the film's clear anti-nuclear bias, its sobering message and riveting, realistic story and performances are still difficult to ignore. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 122 mins
Complete Cast of The China Syndrome
- Jane Fonda - Kimberly Wells
- Michael Douglas - Richard Adams
- James Hampton - Bill Gibson
- Wilford Brimley - Ted Spindler
- Daniel Valdez - Hector Salas
- James Karen - Mac Churchill
- Rita Taggart - Rita Jacovich
- Darrell Larson - Young Demonstrator
- Donald Hotton - Dr. Lowell
- James Hall - Harmon
- Clay Hodges - SWAT Squad Leader
- Betty Harford - Woman at Demonstration
- Donald Bishop - Hearings Chairman
- Dennis McMullen - Robertson
- Lewis Arquette - Hatcher
- Dan Lewk - Donny
- Jack Lemmon - Jack Godell
- Scott Brady - Herman De Young
- Peter Donat - Don Jacovich
- Richard Herd - Evan McCormack
- Stan Bohrman - Peter Martin
- Michael Mann - TV Consultant
- Joe Lowry - Security Agent
- James Kline - Jim
- Alan Beckwith - Technician
- Ron Lombard - Barney
- Michael Alaimo - Greg Minor
- Paul Larson - D.B. Royce
- Frank Cavestani - News Reporter
- Roger Pancake - Gate Guard
- Nick Pellegrino - Borden
- E. Hampton Beagle - Mort
- Director(s):
- James Bridges
- Writer(s):
- T.S. Cook, James Bridges, Mike Gray
- Producer(s):
- Michael Douglas, Bruce Gilbert
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Profanity, Adult Language, Suitable for Children)
- Categories:
- Mystery & Suspense
- 1979 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
- 1979 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
- 1979 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
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