The China Syndrome belongs in the second category. It caused quite a stir in 1979, when the events of the film were mirrored in real life at the Three Mile Island nuclear processing plant only ten days after the premiere. Now, however, it seems to be largely forgotten, which is a shame because it is an enjoyable and well made film that will be of interest to anyone who enjoys an old-fashioned thriller.

Jane Fonda, still very much a big star in those days, plays a TV reporter, desperate to get some real news to cover, who witnesses a near-fatal accident at a nuclear power plant. She reports to her bosses, showing them film of the event which has been taken secretly by her cameraman, played by an incredibly young Michael Douglas. The TV station refuse to cover the story, and the plant begin to claim that nothing serious ever happened. The film goes on to show how far the authorities will go to cover-up the accident, even when one of their employees, Jack Lemmon, finds he cannot lie to the public any longer.

Although this movie isn't nearly as important as it thinks it is, it is very well paced and has some genuinely suspenseful scenes. The scene where one researcher has his car forced off the highway is especially effective, and was based on the real life murder of Karen Silkwood in 1974. All the performers do good work, although Jack Lemmon is always a little bit irritating in serious roles, since he seems to lose all traces of humour. It is so straightforwardly laid out that even a six year old could easily keep track of the plot, and despite the scientific veneer of the film, it basically sticks to the point of view that atomic energy is a bad thing if not controlled properly. It turns a complex environmental argument into a good guys versus bad guys story, which tends to prevent it ever becoming really interesting. It's main piquancy comes from the similarities to real events, which is exploits to the full. One odd thing about the film is the absence of a music score, apart from one song over the opening credits. In fact, the film goes along quite nicely without any music and it reminded me that so many film scores are pretty redundant.

Columbia have done their usual efficient job with this disc. The picture is sharp and clean, although a little flat, with rather muted colours. It's anamorphic as well, which is the case for most of the Columbia R2 releases. However, the sound is mono - as was the original film - and you may well decide that this DVD is not a great deal better than a widescreen VHS. The only extras are the trailer and some brief filmographies. There are, however, a generous 28 chapter stops, so if you forget exactly what The China Syndrome is, go to chapter 13 and have it explained to you.

This film is only 21 years old, but it seems to come from another era, when the studios still regarded the middle class, politically concerned audience as a viable market for their productions. It's well made, nicely acted and sometimes unnerving, but it's not all that special either. Even in the cinema it looked like it belonged on TV, and there is no pressing reason to buy it on DVD unless it's one of your favourites.

Mike Sutton