MovieChat Forums > Silkwood (1984) Discussion > the China Syndrome V. Silkwood

the China Syndrome V. Silkwood


Which is better and why?

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"Silkwood" is much better, for several reasons. As a production, it more faithfully depicts how people act and the environment in which they act. In fact, the production values are "Silkwood's" strength. Of course, part of the reason that the production values are high is the fact that several "big name" actors star in "Silkwood." I only recognized one name in "China Syndrome."

"Silkwood" is based on a true story, which means that its plot is constrained somewhat by reality, instead of delving into bizarre scenarios. So, the plot of "Silkwood" is more believable than that of "China Syndrome."

"China Syndrome" was ridiculous. "Silkwood" merely contained errors.

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." I only recognized one name in "China Syndrome."

So you havent heard of jane fonda,michel douglas,or jack lemon?
hhhmmm

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Don't forget Brimley!

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You must be young. Not only are there quite a few famous and recognizable names in "China Syndrome" but the plot is far from bizzare or ridiculous. The movie is very similar to a number of incidents. In particular I suggest you look up the Three Mile Island disaster, which I believe happened the same month. That said, I like Silkwood better because the script and acting make you really feel as if you knew this woman who was brave enough to put her personal safety aside to try to help everyone around her who weren't brave enough to speak.

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I recently saw both films on TCM about a few weeks apart from one another. I'd have to go with Silkwood as well, for most of the same reasons. I don't know if it's because the characters in Silkwood were based on real people or because the characters in The China Syndrome were affiliated with the media (which is something completely foreign to me), but the people in Silkwood felt more real. I enjoyed the pace of the film, it manages to be simple though, at the same time, extremely tense. The acting was fantastic in both. Jack Lemmon was especially good in TCS.

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Silkwood is the more complex and realistic film of the two. It's also more pointed in its criticism of corporate America.

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I tend to agree with that.

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I only recognized one name in "China Syndrome."


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I can't take anyone who makes a statement like this seriously 

Come on, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda. It doesn't get any bigger than that.

"China Syndrome" was ridiculous


I preferred Silkwood too, but calling 'The China Syndrome' ridiculous is a bit ridiculous in itself.

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Silkwood wins out for taking the route of the less hollywood and minimalist performances...it was based on a true story wherein lies the problem of the clarity. Karen's blood results from her autopsy came back with tranquilizers and alcohol. All the evidence pointed to a single-car accident. Even in the movie Karen was never directly threatened, they just stopped talking to her.

China Syndrome starts out kind of slow and you're just about to turn it off, but Jane Fonda keeps you there, suddenly it gets kind of scary and the next thing you know Jack Lemmon is taking the nuclear power plant hostage. It had a Hollywood type ending, but I guess the point is because of carelessness and cover ups this could actually happen. This movie was enough to get people interested that weren't already.

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All the evidence pointed to a single-car accident.


Oh, I think not. There was damage to the rear bumper of Karen's car that appeared as if it could only have come from contact with another vehicle. As in, "rear-ended and run off the road."

"I don't deduce, I observe."

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