The China Syndrome (1979)

My Review

“The China Syndrome” is a thriller movie about a television reporter and her cameraman who accidentally witness an emergency core shutdown at a California nuclear power plant. The plant supervisor suspects that this might be caused by violation of safety standards, and attempts to alert the reporter. The heavy drama proceeds from there, well organized by director James Bridges (“The Paper Chase” 1973), who also co-wrote the script with T. S. Cook and Mike Gray.

The three top cast members deliver believable performances including Jane Fonda as the reporter, Michael Douglas as the cameraman, and Jack Lemmon as the supervisor. Co-stars include Wilford Brimley, Peter Donat, Richard Herd, James Hampton, Scott Brady, James Karen, David Valdez, and Stan Bohrman. “The China Syndrome” raised legitimate questions among the public at the time as to the safety of nuclear power plants. It was a hit at the box office for producer Michael Douglas, IPC Films, Major Studio Partners, and Columbia Pictures.