# The China Syndrome

> 1979 film by James Bridges

**Wikidata**: [Q647599](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q647599)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_China_Syndrome)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-china-syndrome

## Summary
*The China Syndrome* is a 1979 American disaster film directed by James Bridges, based on a true story about a meltdown at a nuclear power plant in California. The film stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas and explores themes of corporate negligence, government cover-ups, and public safety. It is notable for its realistic portrayal of nuclear disaster risks and remains a landmark in the disaster film genre.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 1, 1979 (wide release)
- **Director**: James Bridges
- **Production Company**: Columbia Pictures
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genre**: Disaster film, drama, thriller
- **Runtime**: 122 minutes
- **Awards**: Included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1979
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1966965
- **IMDb ID**: tt0078966
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 88%
- **Metacritic Score**: 81/100
- **Box Office**: $117 million worldwide
- **Based On**: A true story involving the Three Mile Island nuclear accident
- **Main Cast**: Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, David Warner, Richard Dysart
- **Production Year**: 1978
- **Language**: English
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1 (Panavision)
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Stereo
- **Color**: Color
- **Film Stock**: Kodak Vision3 5248
- **Cinematography**: William A. Fraker
- **Editing**: Richard Chew
- **Composer**: Jerry Goldsmith
- **Screenplay**: Mike Gray, T.S. Cook, James Bridges
- **Budget**: $12 million
- **Alternative Title**: *China Syndrome* (international)
- **Sitelink Count**: 36 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Wikidata Description**: "1979 film by James Bridges"

## FAQs
**What is the plot of *The China Syndrome*?**
*The China Syndrome* follows a group of journalists investigating a nuclear meltdown at a California power plant. The film explores corporate cover-ups, government inaction, and the psychological toll on those involved, culminating in a dramatic climax that raises public awareness about nuclear safety.

**Who directed *The China Syndrome*?**
The film was directed by James Bridges, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Bridges was known for his realistic and socially conscious filmmaking style, which influenced the disaster film genre.

**What real events inspired *The China Syndrome*?**
The film is based on the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident, which led to widespread public concern about nuclear power safety. The story was fictionalized but drew from real investigative journalism and government responses to the incident.

**What awards did *The China Syndrome* receive?**
The film was included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1979, recognizing its impact on disaster cinema. It also received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of nuclear disaster risks.

**What is the significance of *The China Syndrome* in film history?**
The film is considered a landmark in the disaster film genre, influencing later works like *Twister* and *The Core*. It raised public awareness about nuclear safety and corporate accountability, making it a cultural touchstone for environmental and investigative journalism themes.

## Why It Matters
*The China Syndrome* matters as a pivotal work in disaster cinema, addressing critical issues of nuclear safety, corporate negligence, and government transparency. Released during a period of heightened concern over nuclear power following the Three Mile Island accident, the film served as both entertainment and a call to action. Its realistic portrayal of a meltdown scenario and the subsequent cover-up heightened public awareness, contributing to broader discussions about nuclear energy regulation. The film’s success demonstrated the power of cinema to influence public policy and cultural discourse. Today, it remains a study in disaster filmmaking, blending suspense, social commentary, and technical realism. Its legacy endures in its ability to provoke thought about the risks of industrialization and the responsibility of institutions to act ethically.

## Notable For
- **First Major Disaster Film**: One of the first films to realistically depict a nuclear meltdown, influencing later disaster cinema.
- **Public Awareness Campaign**: Helped raise public consciousness about nuclear power safety and corporate accountability.
- **Technical Realism**: Used advanced film techniques, including panoramic cinematography and sound design, to enhance its dramatic impact.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Received praise for its social commentary and investigative journalism themes.
- **Box Office Success**: Earned $117 million worldwide, proving the commercial viability of disaster films.
- **Cultural Impact**: Inspired later films like *Twister* and *The Core*, cementing its place in disaster film history.
- **Award Recognition**: Included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1979, highlighting its cultural significance.
- **Legacy in Environmental Film**: Contributed to the growing genre of films addressing environmental and industrial risks.

## Body
### Core Definition and Context
*The China Syndrome* is a 1979 American disaster film directed by James Bridges, based on a true story involving the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. The film follows a group of journalists investigating a meltdown at a California power plant, exploring themes of corporate negligence, government cover-ups, and public safety. It is notable for its realistic portrayal of nuclear disaster risks and remains a landmark in the disaster film genre.

### Production and Development
- **Production Company**: Columbia Pictures
- **Budget**: $12 million
- **Production Year**: 1978
- **Screenplay**: Written by Mike Gray, T.S. Cook, and James Bridges
- **Cinematography**: William A. Fraker
- **Editing**: Richard Chew
- **Composer**: Jerry Goldsmith
- **Film Stock**: Kodak Vision3 5248
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1 (Panavision)
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Stereo

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: James Bridges
- **Main Cast**: Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, David Warner, Richard Dysart
- **Producers**: James Bridges, Richard D. Zanuck
- **Cinematographer**: William A. Fraker
- **Editor**: Richard Chew
- **Composer**: Jerry Goldsmith

### Release and Reception
- **Release Date**: January 1, 1979
- **Box Office**: $117 million worldwide
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 88%
- **Metacritic Score**: 81/100
- **Awards**: Included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1979

### Cultural and Historical Significance
- **Inspiration**: Based on the Three Mile Island nuclear accident
- **Genre Influence**: Pioneered the disaster film genre, influencing later works like *Twister* and *The Core*
- **Public Awareness**: Raised public consciousness about nuclear power safety and corporate accountability
- **Legacy**: Remains a study in disaster filmmaking, blending suspense, social commentary, and technical realism

### Related Works and Examples
- **Influenced Films**: *Twister*, *The Core*, *The Day After Tomorrow*
- **Similar Themes**: Corporate negligence, government cover-ups, environmental risks
- **Genre**: Disaster film, drama, thriller

### Distinction from Related Entities
- **Different from**: Other disaster films like *Twister* or *The Core*, which focus on natural disasters rather than industrial accidents.
- **Unique Aspects**: Its realistic portrayal of a nuclear meltdown and the subsequent cover-up, making it a landmark in disaster cinema.

### Platform and Service Integration
- **IMDb ID**: tt0078966
- **Rotten Tomatoes ID**: m/the_china_syndrome
- **Metacritic ID**: the-china-syndrome
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1966965
- **Sitelink Count**: 36 (Wikipedia language editions)

### Additional Topic IDs
- **National Board of Review**: Top Ten Films (1979)
- **Columbia Pictures**: Production company
- **United States**: Country of origin
- **Disaster Film**: Genre classification

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078966/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/chinski-syndrom)
3. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-1117/)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film791779.html)
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078966/fullcredits)
6. The Movie Database
7. The China Syndrome. Rotten Tomatoes
8. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078966/releaseinfo)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Kinopoisk
11. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/china-syndrome-the/)
12. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=1117.html)
13. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
14. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/50905)
15. Bechdel Test Movie List
16. mymovies.it
17. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/76B1-DAA9-C0FD-38FF-93F9-J)
18. Danish Film Database
19. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83811)
20. Trakt.tv
21. FilmVandaag.nl