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The Chain Reaction

  • 1980
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The Chain Reaction (1980)
ActionDramaSci-Fi

A holidaying couple is pursued by the thugs of a nearby nuclear storage facility's boss, who is intent on covering up an accidental leak.A holidaying couple is pursued by the thugs of a nearby nuclear storage facility's boss, who is intent on covering up an accidental leak.A holidaying couple is pursued by the thugs of a nearby nuclear storage facility's boss, who is intent on covering up an accidental leak.

  • Director
    • Ian Barry
  • Writer
    • Ian Barry
  • Stars
    • Steve Bisley
    • Arna-Maria Winchester
    • Ross Thompson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ian Barry
    • Writer
      • Ian Barry
    • Stars
      • Steve Bisley
      • Arna-Maria Winchester
      • Ross Thompson
    • 16User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 nominations

    Photos37

    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    Mel Gibson in The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)
    The Chain Reaction (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Bisley
    Steve Bisley
    • Larry
    Arna-Maria Winchester
    Arna-Maria Winchester
    • Carmel
    Ross Thompson
    • Heinrich
    Ralph Cotterill
    Ralph Cotterill
    • Gray
    Hugh Keays-Byrne
    Hugh Keays-Byrne
    • Eagle
    Lorna Lesley
    • Gloria
    Richard Moir
    Richard Moir
    • Jr. Const. Pigott
    Patrick Ward
    • Oates
    Laurie Moran
    • Police Sgt. McSweeney
    Michael Long
    • Doctor
    Bill McCluskey
    • Ralph
    Margo Lloyd
    • Molly
    Tim Burns
    Tim Burns
    • Survey driver
    Arthur Sherman
    • Byron Langley
    Barry Donnelly
    Barry Donnelly
    • Gateman
    P.J. Jones
    • Bernie the Beater
    David Bracks
    David Bracks
    • Spray painter
    Joan Winchester
    • Marcia
    • Director
      • Ian Barry
    • Writer
      • Ian Barry
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie's working titles were 'The Man at the Edge of the Freeway' and 'Nuclear Run'. The longer of these titles was considered too long and pretentious. Moreover, producer David Elfick did a manual search of film titles starting with the wording 'The Man' and found them to be box-office disappointments. Elfick also suggested 'Contaminated' to be this movie's title. In the end, the title was changed to 'The Chain Reaction' in order to have a title with more impact. This title was apparently conceived by Hans Pomeranz.
    • Goofs
      (at around 19 mins) The number plate seen on Bisley's holden LS-170 is not on the vehicle (rear).
    • Quotes

      Eagle: Listen, WALDO isn't exactly human. WALDO is a multinational corporation, working the ass-end of the nuclear cycle. Professor Heinrich and I once conjected the possibility of a high-level nuclear excursion, thats a link! Now, last night, he reversed charged a call from here, and he was cut-off before I could get the details, but it was quite obvious that he was in BIG TROUBLE!

      Larry: Do me a favor mate, I've got enough trouble of my own!

      Eagle: [Points outside to plane flying over] Thats trouble laddy! And whether you like it or not, we are all aboard!

    • Connections
      Featured in The Chain Reaction: Deleted and Extended Scenes (1980)

    User reviews16

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A good Aussie thriller
    I saw this movie at the Roxy Cinema,Parramatta, Sydney Australia in 1980. I thought the action stunts and story were good. Steve Bisley who played Goose in "Mad Max" in one of his early lead roles. Watch out for Mel Gibson in an unbilled role as a mechanic at the beginning of the film.
    helpful•14
    5
    • aquarian_boy_102
    • Jan 20, 2003

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1980 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Palm Beach Pictures [Australia]
      • Umbrella Entertainment - Blu-Ray [Australia]
    • Languages
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Chain Reaction
    • Filming locations
      • Glen Davis, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Palm Beach Pictures
      • Film Victoria
      • The Australian Film Commission
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • A$450,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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