Watch Ground Zero

Ground Zero is a 1987 Australian film that revolves around a potential nuclear disaster in a small town called "Rocket Range". Directed by Bruce Myles, the movie stars Colin Friels, Jack Thompson, Donald Pleasence, and Natalie Bate. The film's story follows an engineer named Rick (played by Colin Friels) who works at the Rocket Range facility, where they test missiles for the military. One day, Rick discovers a critical design flaw in one of the missiles, which could potentially cause a nuclear explosion at the facility's launch site.

Despite his efforts to report the flaw to his superiors, Rick is ignored and brushed aside. That's when he decides to take matters into his own hands and investigate the issue further. Along the way, he is joined by a journalist named Jennifer (played by Natalie Bate) who wants to expose the truth about the military's dangerous practices.

As Rick and Jennifer dig deeper, they discover a web of corruption and cover-ups, with many people involved in keeping the dangerous missile design flaw secret. Meanwhile, the military moves forward with its launch plans, disregarding the deadly consequences for those in the area.

The tension builds throughout the movie, as Rick and Jennifer race against the clock to stop the missile launch and prevent a catastrophic explosion. They are aided by Jack Thompson's character Sergeant Jack Lee, a sympathetic military officer who helps them navigate the dangerous situation and fight against the corrupt officials who are putting everyone at risk.

Donald Pleasence rounds out the cast as a creepy and unsettling scientist named Professor Heinrich Steiner, who has his own nefarious plans for the missile launch. His character adds an extra layer of intrigue to the film, as the audience is left to wonder what his ultimate intentions are and how they will affect the outcome of Rick and Jennifer's mission.

Ground Zero is a gripping and thought-provoking film that deals with timely themes around the danger of weapons testing, government secrecy, and the importance of individual action in standing up against corruption. The performances by the cast are phenomenal, particularly Colin Friels who brings a sense of urgency and determination to his role as the adrenaline-fueled engineer.

The film's tension is also amplified through its excellent use of music and cinematography, with scenes of missile launches and nuclear explosions creating a sense of foreboding and danger. Ultimately, the film delivers a powerful message about the importance of speaking up and taking action in the face of injustice, no matter how powerful the forces may seem.

Overall, Ground Zero is a must-see film for anyone interested in political thrillers or social commentary on government corruption and corporate greed. Its message is as relevant today as it was when the film first premiered over 30 years ago, and its story remains a haunting reminder of the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.

Ground Zero is a 1987 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.