Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Chain Reaction (1980)

play
clip 'You’re safe now'

Original classification rating: M. This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

An injured Heinrich (Ross Thompson) collapses at the holiday house of Larry (Steve Bisley) and Carmel (Arna-Maria Winchester). Heinrich experiences nightmares of the incident at the WALDO nuclear facility.

Curator’s notes

Heinrich’s arrival at Larry and Carmel’s holiday house is staged like a horror movie. An ordinary couple whose romantic evening has been interrupted, Larry and Carmel ‘do the right thing’ by caring for Heinrich, never imagining the real-life horror Heinrich has experienced and what awaits them as a result of this chance meeting.

The appealing chemistry between Steve Bisley and Arna-Maria Winchester helps the audience to identify with them. Russell Boyd’s moody and inventive photography contributes greatly to the impact of Heinrich’s nightmare visions.