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The China Syndrome (1979)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
16 March 1979 (USA) moreTagline:
Today, only a handful of people know what it means... Soon you will know.Plot:
A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Movie Maverick Melnick Dead At 77 (From WENN. 15 October 2009, 12:16 PM, PDT)
Kritzerland releases Franz Waxman classic
(From MovieScore Magazine. 23 September 2009, 8:37 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
What can really be said? more (73 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jane Fonda | ... | Kimberly Wells | |
| Jack Lemmon | ... | Jack Godell | |
| Michael Douglas | ... | Richard Adams | |
| Scott Brady | ... | Herman De Young | |
| James Hampton | ... | Bill Gibson | |
| Peter Donat | ... | Don Jacovich | |
| Wilford Brimley | ... | Ted Spindler | |
| Richard Herd | ... | Evan McCormack | |
| Daniel Valdez | ... | Hector Salas | |
| Stan Bohrman | ... | Pete Martin | |
| James Karen | ... | Mac Churchill | |
| Michael Alaimo | ... | Greg Minor | |
| Donald Hotton | ... | Dr. Lowell | |
| Khalilah Ali | ... | Marge | |
| Paul Larson | ... | D.B. Royce |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
122 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
UK:PG | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:12 (original rating) | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:ALFun Stuff
Trivia:
This is one of only a few American movies where no music is played over the end credits. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When meeting about what to do with the film the next day, a paper leans against Rich's coffee cup, but is gone a moment later. moreQuotes:
Evan Mc Cormack: ...and let this lunatic wipe out a billion dollar investment? At least this buys time; it will take the press an hour to get here.Bill Gibson: I wouldn't count on it.
Evan Mc Cormack: I'm counting on you to take care of the God damn press. Now you do your Job, and let me do mine.
Bill Gibson: Yes sir.
more
Soundtrack:
Somewhere in Between moreFAQ
What is the "China Syndrome"?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
more (73 total)
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I normally don't comment on movies on IMDB, but in this case I feel like I should. I love movies, and I want to make them, and this movie is a perfect example of fine filmmaking.
This is one of the few movies that I have seen on the small screen (originally seeing it air on AMC, I believe, and then on the DVD I just watched) that made me get that feeling in the pit of my stomach. That little gnawing sensation that the director would hope you feel while watching his thriller.
Jack Lemmon's performance is a fine one, and Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas follow. I felt so much empathy of Lemmon, who's character Jack Godell, only wanted people to listen to his warning.
But what impresses me most about this film is the lack of a score, and this is also what makes it beautiful to me. Apart from the opening titles there are no background music to increase the tension, because none is needed. And while the credits run, white on black, in silence it drives the point home.
I use the movie as an example to anyone who says music makes the movie. I think the movie should make the movie and the music should only amplify that. But for The China Syndrome music is not necessary to get across the realism and the urgency depicted here. The characters portray all of this far better than the music ever could.
I highly recommend this movie, it is one of my favorites. If you like movies, you won't be disappointed. If you like movie soundtracks more, you might not want to give this one a go.