CNS-10
The China Syndrome
name___________________
Hour_______________
SYNOPSIS OF MOVIE:
This movie came out in the mid 1970’s. Keep this in mind as you watch it and try to
learn about what things were like when most of the nuclear power plants were built in
this country. This is an anti-nuclear Hollywood film and not a documentary.
“ A nightmare becomes a reality in this tensions filled story about an ‘incident’ at a
nuclear power plant in California. Kimberly Wells, an ambitious TV reporter is covering
a story on energy sources. She goes to interview the Ventana nuclear power plant when
a startling accident occurs that nearly causes the reactor to meltdown. A newsreel
cameraman Richard, accompanying Wells, captures the incident illegally- and the tv
station won’t air the footage. Though the plant’s corporate heads are quick to deny the
possibility of any real danger, Jack Godell, the plant’s veteran engineer, discovers faulty
equipment at the plant. Attempting to tell others about his findings, an attempt is made
on his life. In desperation, he forcibly takes control of the power plant and invites the
media to hear his testimony. But the corporation is determined to stop him from
badmouthing them in a taut and shocking climax!”
QUESTIONS:
1) Does it seem like “The Incident”, which occurs while the TV crew is at the Ventana
nuclear power plant is serious or not? What makes you think this?
2) Do you think the footage of “The incident” should have been put on tv? Does it make
the news that night? Why or why not?
3) Why does Kimberly Wells go out looking for Richard the cameraman? Who does
she end up talking to and what does she find out?
4)
What does Jack find out is wrong when he inspects the power plant by himself at
night? How did this happen?
5) Richard takes the film to some experts at the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
hearing to room E309. What do they tell him about “The incident”?
6) Jack takes a look at the radiographs from the plant. What does he discover about the
original construction of the plant? When he goes to talk with the man who did the
original inspection what did he find out?
7) Who is Hector and what does he have and what happens to him?
8) What do Kimberly and Richard want Jack to do? Will he do it?
9) Why won’t the people in the company listen to Jack and what he wants them to do?
What does he want the company to do?
10) What does Ted do while Jack is getting interviewed? What does this cause to happen
in the plant?
11) What incident really did happen in the United States about the same time as this
movie? What impact do you think the movie had on the media’s response to this?
VOCABULARY:
CHINA SYNDROME:
SCRAM-
TURBINE TRIP-
The CORE-
RELEASE