Main Cast: Stephen Collins, Janet Julian, Lance Henriksen, Bo Svenson, Victoria Racimo
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Director and former stunt coordinator Chuck Bail takes the help for this fast-paced action thriller about a Harvard-graduate physicist whose efforts to create a safe source of energy are thwarted by nuclear waste-dumping baddies. David Lowell (Stephen Collins) has discovered the secret to clean energy, and he's ready to share his gift with the world. In just a few days, Hayley's Comet will pass over the Grand Canyon, and David will capture the energy from the high-frequency sound waves emitted from the enormous space rock. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather continue to profit from conventional forms of energy, and they're not afraid to use force to get their way. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Review
Choke Canyon is a fast-paced, entertaining cautionary thriller about the effects of unloading toxic waste into the environment. Scientist David Lowell (Stephen Collins) comes into conflict with the owners of a nuclear power plant and the assassin they have hired to kill him. He must now run for his life and save the inhabitants of the town from sure death if the toxic waste escapes. This enjoyable chase film, crisply directed by Chuck Bail with economy and a sense of humor, is notable also because of its fine performance by Stephen Collins in the lead. Choke Canyon, also released as On Dangerous Ground is both a timely and exciting thriller. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Dr. David Lowell's (Collins) research is carried out in the canyon country of southern Utah and must be conducted at the same time Halley's Comet is passing over the earth. A corporation trying to find a remote place to illegally dump nuclear waste throws him off his land and destroys his laboratory. He spends the rest of the film committing ecotage against the company and trying to recover his land.
Release
Release of the film was delayed so it would coincide with the passing of Halley's Comet over the earth in 1986.
Soundtrack
The Mike + The Mechanics song "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" was written for the film (the parenthetical title being the title of the film in the UK). The video features a few clips from the film, but primarily features a completely unrelated story which follows a young boy discovering a glowing cube in his house.
