A tightly assembled didactic thriller.
The China Syndrome
People who know the meaning of "The China Syndrome" are scared... Soon you will know.
1979 · 2h 2m · PG
Drama, Thriller
Directed by
James Bridges
Overview
While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicize the incident, but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.
Director and cast
- James Bridges Director
- Jane Fonda as Kimberly Wells
- Michael Douglas as Richard Adams
- Jack Lemmon as Jack Godell
- Scott Brady as Herman De Young
- James Hampton as Bill Gibson
- Peter Donat as Don Jacovich
- Wilford Brimley as Ted Spindler
- Richard Herd as Evan Mc Cormack
- Daniel Valdez as Hector Salas
- Stan Bohrman Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
A moderately compelling thriller about the potential perils of nuclear energy, whose major fault is an overweening sense of its own self-importance.
All a bit too earnest, despite the seriousness of the subject, with Fonda setting her jaw and stepping into father's footsteps as Tinseltown's very own protector of humanity; but it's tightly scripted and directed, and genuinely tense in places.
A terrific thriller that incidentally raises the most unsettling questions about how safe nuclear power plants really are.
The three stars are splendid, but maybe Miss Fonda is just a bit more than that. Her performance is not that of an actress in a star's role, but that of an actress creating a character that happens to be major within the film.
More films
Frenzy (1972)
Crime · Horror · Thriller · R
London is terrorized by a vicious sex killer known as The Necktie Murderer. Following the brutal slaying of his ex-wife, down-on-his-luck Richard Blaney is suspected by the police of being the killer. He goes on the run, determined to prove his innocence.
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Cast
- Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Alec McCowen
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Mystery · Thriller · PG
An American doctor and his wife, a former singing star, witness a murder while vacationing in Morocco, and are drawn into a twisting plot of international intrigue when their young son is kidnapped.
- Runtime
- 2h
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Cast
- James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda De Banzie
Wag the Dog (1997)
Comedy · Drama · R
During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Director
- Barry Levinson, David Koechner
- Cast
- Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Mystery · Thriller · PG-13
A murder in Paris’ Louvre Museum and cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery. For 2,000 years a secret society closely guards information that — should it come to light — could rock the very foundations of Christianity.
- Runtime
- 2h 29m
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Cast
- Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen
The Lorax (2012)
Animation · Family · PG
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Chris Renaud
- Cast
- Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms
Home Makeover (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
When a social worker visits Gru’s house to assess its suitability for children, chaos ensues. Margo, Edith, and Agnes, along with the ever-mischievous Minions, scramble to give the home a makeover in record time. Their attempts to create a warm and inviting environment quickly spiral into hilarity as the Minions’ unorthodox methods lea...
- Runtime
- 5m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher
Orientation Day (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
The Minions embark on their first day of work, eager to prove themselves in their new roles. After watching a hilariously outdated 'Initiation Video,' three rookie Minions take on bomb-carrying duty. Predictably, their enthusiasm quickly spirals into chaos as they bungle the simplest of tasks. Packed with slapstick comedy and the Minio...
- Runtime
- 4m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Pierre Coffin, Rob Huebel









Comments
Talk about the film with other members