3:54 | Clip
A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.
Director:
James Bridges
From metacritic.com
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Title: The China Syndrome (1979)
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Edit
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 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (227) »
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 Keywords:
radiation | nuclear power | reporter | cover up | television station |Taglines:
Today, only a handful of people know what it means... Soon you will know. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 March 1979 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Misuse Of Power See more »Filming Locations:
Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$6,000,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$51,718,367Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$51,718,367Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The first script for the film was written in the mid-1970s. Michael Douglas initially wanted to produce this film immediately after One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Jack Lemmon agreed to play his role as early as 1976. Douglas was enormously grateful to Lemmon, as he remained ready to start work at very short notice for over a year before production started, in the process passing up other work. To return the favor, Douglas amended the shooting schedule to allow Lemmon to attend rehearsals for the Broadway play Tribute (1980), the film version of which would later star Lemmon. 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 »Crazy Credits
The end credits run in total silence. See more »Contribute to This Page
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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.