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The China Syndrome (1979)

 -  Drama | Thriller  -  16 March 1979 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 14,713 users  
Reviews: 84 user | 49 critic

A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.

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Title: The China Syndrome (1979)

The China Syndrome (1979) on IMDb 7.3/10

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Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 10 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
Scott Brady ...
...
Peter Donat ...
...
...
Evan McCormack
Daniel Valdez ...
Stan Bohrman ...
...
Mac Churchill
Michael Alaimo ...
Donald Hotton ...
Dr. Lowell
Khalilah Ali ...
Marge
Paul Larson ...
D.B. Royce
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Storyline

While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, an opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicise the incident but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret. Written by Dave Jenkins <david.jenkins@smallworld.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Today, only a handful of people know what it means... Soon you will know. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

16 March 1979 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El síndrome de China  »

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 8,390,477 (Sweden)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's writer Mike Gray was originally scheduled to direct after his documentary The Murder of Fred Hampton had been successful but the Columbia Pictures' executives rejected Gray as he was an untried commodity and as such Gray was replaced with James Bridges. See more »

Goofs

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. See more »

Quotes

Churchill, Mac: Richard, I want that goddamn film.
Richard Adams: You can kiss my ass!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Biography: The Fondas (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

"Somewhere in Between"
by Stephen Bishop
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Crackerjack thriller!
29 January 2006 | by (las vegas, nv) – See all my reviews

Intelligent, nail-biting drama came out of nowhere in 1979 and soon was on the cover of every newspaper in America (when life imitated the film). A nuclear power plant employee in Southern California is threatened by superiors when he decides to go public with the real story behind an accident at the plant. Ostensibly a stuck valve problem, a TV news-crew's film shows that it was an accident verging on disastrous proportions--and worse, that safety conditions are being scrubbed to save millions of dollars, a cover-up that endangers everyone's lives. The movie occasionally gets too technical (especially in the second-half) and could use more human interplay, however the performances by Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda (as a puff-piece news-woman in the right place at the right time), and Michael Douglas (as a freelance cameraman) are superb. The throwaway bits involving nuclear protesters is both entirely accurate and bitterly satirical, and the news-biz (with its corporate structure and vapid yes-men) is vividly captured. ***1/2 from ****


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