In cinema there are two approaches to social commentary; those movies that try to emphasise realism in their social commentary, and those that whilst they still have social commentary focus on the abstract nature of art. Unfortunately this film fits into the former category and whilst it is moving in its conclusion it was harder to swallow as it was too based in the real world, and too focussed on playing to the sentiments of nuclear protest of the late 70s. Great acting / suspense though.

Spoiler Alert! What kind of movie kills Jack Lemmon and lets Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas walk away unscathed? Damn you, movie. Damn you.

a solid thriller throughout, but the final scene is simply brilliant.

Fonda, Lemmon, and Douglas (who also doubled as producer) all contribute excellent performances. The tension is taut throughout, with an exciting climax.

Really, really, really dated, with 70's nuclear paranoia in full effect. Taken in context, however, it's a pretty tight little thriller with great performances that still works as a critique of corporatism.

Brilliant thriller, than culminates in a pulsating ending, with wonderful performances from Lemmon and Fonda. Well written and directed. Lokks seriously dated now, but somehow that only adds to the experience. A sometimes forgotten classic.

Though slightly dated, this sci-fi-tinged disaster movie is still powerful and backed up by the best performances of Fonda's and Lemmon's careers -- Douglas had to wait until _Wall Street_ for his career pinnacle. Intelligently written in a quiet, nonexploitive manner and building to a heart-stopping climax, this was released just before the real-life nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, and benefited enormously from the subsequent publicity.

An amazingly well-timed release (just when Three Mile Island melted down) that still thrills.

Much more thrilling than the most of today's "thrillers".

excellent thriller with a brilliant performance by Jane Fonda...The recent Fukushima disaster puts a different level to this 1978 movie

it starts of as a promising disaster movie turns into an average conspiracy movie. lemmon was awesome, but douglas and fonda were somewhat disappointing. if it were to have kept the momentum created toward the beginning instead of dwindling into touch and go territory it would have been great, but all we have here is a good first fifteen minutes and good last fifteen, the rest is just coasting.

With excellent turns from Jack Lemmon, Wilford Brimley, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas, it's disappointing that The China Syndrome serves them poorly by lacking a necessary level of urgency. There's a sense that 'showing it as it is' will generate the tension, but Bridges' direction goes from 'realistic' to limp and detached quickly and only really grabs one's attention during the highly-charged control room showdown at the end. Disappointing.

This kind of movie is now a cliche but this particular one still works like hell on jets

Great film.

Living near TMI, this kind of hits home. But regardless of where you live, this should be a wake-up call (not to get rid of nuclear energy but for proper monitoring of it.) Topicality aside, this is an interesting suspense drama.

Some entertaining suspense - carried mostly by Jack Lemmon and some surprising direction [camera / lack of score really works] from a guy who just a year later, goes on to make Urban Cowboy.

EXCELLENT!!!