- The China Syndrome (1979)
- This film shows a near accident at a nuclear plant and the cover up that follows. Jane Fonda plays a journalist, and Michael Douglas plays her cameraman. They work with Jack Lemmon, a plant employee, to make the plant's secrets public knowledge. The events are based on the Silkwood story, but it is a much fictionalized version. The China Syndrome is mostly from a journalist's perspective but focuses on the rampant problems within the nuclear industry and how little employees can do to improve conditions.
- Erin Brockovich (2000)
- Here is the story of a woman completely down and out, with three kids and no money. Brockovich forces her way into a legal clerk position, in which she stumbles upon a suspicious pattern of illnesses and real estate transactions. She completely absorbs herself in her work and ends up putting together a class action suit against PG&E, a huge corporation. This is a great example of a true life tale where the little guy (or gal) wins. Like Karen Silkwood, Erin Brockovich has her faults, one of which may be her extreme passion for her work.
- See www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/reaction/interact/hollywood.html for a long list of "Hollywood's 'Nuclear' Flicks."
- Norma Rae (1979)
- Based on real events, Norma Rae tells the story of a textile worker's fight for better working conditions. Sally Field plays Norma Rae, a tough woman with an urgent need to do what she feels is right. In this case, that is unionizing the factory where she -- and most of the town -- works. She is not a flawless character by any means and is actually quite promiscuous. This film is great at showing what happens when one employee decides to rock the boat; co-workers reactions range from supporting to lashing out against Norma Rae, and there is unabashed ill treatment from the factory managers.
See Also
All the President's Men (1976)
