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The China Syndrome

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
30K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,086
1,235
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The China Syndrome (1979)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:03
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Thriller
A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
30K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,086
1,235
  • Director
    • James Bridges
  • Writers
    • Mike Gray
    • T.S. Cook
    • James Bridges
  • Stars
    • Jane Fonda
    • Jack Lemmon
    • Michael Douglas
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Bridges
  • Writers
    • Mike Gray
    • T.S. Cook
    • James Bridges
  • Stars
    • Jane Fonda
    • Jack Lemmon
    • Michael Douglas
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 133User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 8 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos2

    The China Syndrome
    Trailer 2:03
    The China Syndrome
    After Devastation of "Chernobyl," What to Watch Next
    Clip 3:54
    After Devastation of "Chernobyl," What to Watch Next

    Photos123

    Michael Douglas in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Jack Lemmon in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Daniel Valdez in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Jack Lemmon in The China Syndrome (1979)
    Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda in The China Syndrome (1979)
    From left to right: Nick Pellegrino; Jack Lemmon; Martin Fiscoe; Wilford Brimley; Ron Lombard celebrating Jack Lemmon's birthday on THE CHINA SYDROME set.
    Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross at an event for The China Syndrome (1979)
    The China Syndrome (1979)
    The China Syndrome (1979)
    The China Syndrome (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jane Fonda
    Jane Fonda
    • Kimberly Wellsas Kimberly Wells
    Jack Lemmon
    Jack Lemmon
    • Jack Godellas Jack Godell
    Michael Douglas
    Michael Douglas
    • Richard Adamsas Richard Adams
    Scott Brady
    Scott Brady
    • Herman De Youngas Herman De Young
    James Hampton
    James Hampton
    • Bill Gibsonas Bill Gibson
    Peter Donat
    Peter Donat
    • Don Jacovichas Don Jacovich
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • Ted Spindleras Ted Spindler
    Richard Herd
    Richard Herd
    • Evan McCormackas Evan McCormack
    Daniel Valdez
    Daniel Valdez
    • Hector Salasas Hector Salas
    Stan Bohrman
    Stan Bohrman
    • Pete Martinas Pete Martin
    James Karen
    James Karen
    • Mac Churchillas Mac Churchill
    Michael Alaimo
    • Greg Minoras Greg Minor
    Donald Hotton
    Donald Hotton
    • Dr. Lowellas Dr. Lowell
    Belinda Boyd
    Belinda Boyd
    • Margeas Marge
    • (as Khalilah Ali)
    Paul Larson
    • D.B. Royceas D.B. Royce
    Ron Lombard
    • Barneyas Barney
    Tom Eure
    • Tommyas Tommy
    Nick Pellegrino
    Nick Pellegrino
    • Bordenas Borden
    • Director
      • James Bridges
    • Writers
      • Mike Gray
      • T.S. Cook
      • James Bridges
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When the film was first released on 16 March 1979, nuclear power executives soon lambasted the picture as being "sheer fiction" and a "character assassination of an entire industry". Then twelve days after its launch, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident occurred near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
    • Goofs
      In the United States, there are two main types of commercial power reactors: PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) and BWR (Boiling Water Reactor). When Gibson is explaining the basic workings of the plant to Kimberly Wells, the diagram on the board shows a PWR. This is indicated by the two-loop system in which the water is pumped through the reactor under high pressure to prevent boiling, then through a steam generator to create steam for the turbine using clean secondary water. Later, the dialog of the characters in the control room suggests they are dealing with a BWR, where water is allowed to boil in the reactor vessel, and steam is directly piped to the turbine, with no steam generator. Godell is concerned that the high water level in the reactor might reach the steam lines, of which there are none on a PWR vessel. Once Goddell and the operators realize the water level is low, the dialogue refers to Auxilary Feedwater, which is a PWR system. Also, in the action hearing later, the investigator talks about how the operators began cutting off feedwater and releasing steam in order to lower the reactor water level; this would happen only on a BWR.
    • Quotes

      Jack Godell: What makes you think they're looking for a scapegoat?

      Ted Spindler: Tradition.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits run in total silence.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'the China Syndrome' (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Somewhere In Between
      by Stephen Bishop

    User reviews133

    Review
    Top review
    A chilling, reality-based, horror film.
    "The China Syndrome" is perhaps the first horror film that is not necessarily following the rules of the genre. It takes place in the contemporary '70's, and features people in the normal profession of broadcast television news. But, when a news story about the leakage of nuclear energy breaks; let's just say - there is your monster.

    Jane Fonda is absolutely superb as Kimberley Wells, an ambitious Los Angeles reporter relegated only to fluff pieces by her sexist boss (Peter Donat). She wants something juicier, and gets it, in the form of an accident at a nuclear power plant facilitated by Jack Godell (Jack Lemmon with expressions too numerous to count). Her hippie radical cameraman (Michael Douglas, who also produced) photographs the incident without the plant's knowledge and they both agree that public safety is a valid story. The network brass doesn't think so, and soon both Fonda and Douglas are entangled in a web of legalities concerning the tape.

    The crux of the film is Lemmon's character. A man torn between loyalty to his company and telling the truth - even in the face of grave consequences. What makes this horror scenario so compelling is that these are true flesh-and-blood people stuck in the most extraordinary of circumstances faced with both a threat of cosmic proportions as well as a human one.

    This is a remarkably chilling thriller, and I'm disappointed that it's not taken more seriously (as both art and tract).
    helpful•62
    10
    • moveefrk
    • May 15, 2002

    FAQ11

    • What is 'The China Syndrome' about?
    • Is 'The China Syndrome' based on a book?
    • What is the China Syndrome?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 16, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • An Element Of Risk
    • Filming locations
      • Sewage Disposal Plant, El Segundo, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • IPC Films
      • Major Studio Partners
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $51,718,367
    • Gross worldwide
      • $51,718,367
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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