SYNOPSIS
A nuclear scientist, (Ross Thompson), is terminally exposed to radiation when an earth tremor fractures storage containers, releasing nuclear waste into the artesian water table. WALDO (Western Long-term Disposal Organisation) attempts to cover up the fatal spill. The scientist, disorientated and in the throes of a horrifying radiation death, escapes to warn the public. He is found by a racing mechanic (Steve Bisley), and his wife (Arna-Maria Winchester), who are holidaying in a dead-end mountain valley, that contains the first tangible evidence of the contamination.
They are pursued by the WALDO security team, headed by the malevolent chief (Ralph Cotterill), and his murderous mute sidekick, (Patrick Ward).
Meanwhile, the sinister decontamination workers have closed off the valley to contain the radioactive waste and have surrounded the Stilson’s weekender. But the nuclear waste cannot be contained!
Water to grass, grass to cow, milk to…
THE CHAIN REACTION OF CONTAMINATION…
a terrifying possibility?
“The Chain Reaction is an Australian-made drama about a nuclear accident and its effect on the workers of the plant. Oates (Patrick Ward) knows of the accident and the eventual effects it will have on the workers and the surrounding community, and he tries to tell them but the owners of the reactor try to have him eliminated before he can do so. The cast includes Mel Gibson in an uncredited role as a mechanic. Also released as Nuclear Run, this thriller, with an intelligent script by Ian Barry, is worth a view.
Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide Critic
New York Times
The Chain Reaction is yet another example of vintage Ozploitation left to gather dust for far too long. This is an entertaining fusion of action, eco-thriller and suspense. Making his feature debut, Ian Barry keeps things moving at a furious pace and makes great use of the Glen Davis settings. It’s very much a product of its era, from the hair and costumes to the old-style Telecom and Channel Seven logos, but it still delivers the goods after all this time.
Paul Ryan
Digital Retribution online
STARRING
- STEVE BISLEY – Larry
- ARNA-MARIA WINCHESTER – Carmel
- ROSS THOMPSON – Heinrich
- RALPH COTTERILL – Gray
- PATRICK WARD – Oates
CREW
- DIRECTOR – Ian Barry
- PRODUCER – David Elfick
- ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS – George Miller, Ross Mathews
- SCRIPTWRITER – Ian Barry