The China Syndrome (1979)
- Starring:
- Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, (more)
- Director(s):
- James Bridges
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Category:
- Mystery & Suspense
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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, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 122 mins
Complete Cast:
- Jane Fonda - Kimberly Wells
- Michael Douglas - Richard Adams
- James Hampton - Bill Gibson
- Wilford Brimley - Ted Spindler
- Daniel Valdez - Hector Salas
- James Karen - Mac Churchill
- James Hall - Harmon
- Dan Lewk - Donny
- Rita Taggart - Rita Jacovich
- Joe Lowry - Security Agent
- Michael Alaimo - Greg Minor
- Nick Pellegrino - Borden
- Roger Pancake - Gate Guard
- James Kline - Jim
- Alan Beckwith - Technician
- Michael Mann - TV Consultant
- Jack Lemmon - Jack Godell
- Scott Brady - Herman De Young
- Peter Donat - Don Jacovich
- Richard Herd - Evan McCormack
- Stan Bohrman - Peter Martin
- Ron Lombard - Barney
- Donald Hotton - Dr. Lowell
- E. Hampton Beagle - Mort
- Betty Harford - Woman at Demonstration
- Clay Hodges - SWAT Squad Leader
- Dennis McMullen - Robertson
- Frank Cavestani - News Reporter
- Darrell Larson - Young Demonstrator
- Donald Bishop - Hearings Chairman
- Paul Larson - D.B. Royce
- Lewis Arquette - Hatcher
- Director(s):
- James Bridges
- Writer(s):
- Mike Gray, James Bridges, T.S. Cook
- Producer(s):
- Michael Douglas, Bruce Gilbert
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Adult Language, Suitable for Children, Profanity)
- Categories:
- Mystery & Suspense
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1979 - The China Syndrome - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
- 1979 - The China Syndrome - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
- 1979 - The China Syndrome - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
