Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster is a 1992 movie depicting the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster off the coast of Alaska. Directed by Paul Seed, it stars Christopher Lloyd, John Heard, Rip Torn and Michael Murphy.
| Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Michael Baker |
| Directed by | Paul Seed |
| Starring | Christopher Lloyd John Heard Rip Torn Bob Gunton Michael Murphy Mark Metcalf |
| Music by | David Ferguson |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Richard Broke Colin Callender Leslie Woodhead |
| Producers | John Smithson David M. Thompson |
| Production locations | Alaska Vancouver |
| Cinematography | Ian Punter |
| Editor | Dave King |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production companies | HBO Showcase BBC Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | December 12, 1992 |
Most of the film was shot in Vancouver, Richmond and Steveston, British Columbia, but it also utilizes archival film clips of the actual disaster and cleanup efforts.
Synopsis
editOn March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It was the worst oil spill of its time, releasing over 11 million US gallons (260,000 bbl; 42,000 m3) of crude oil onto the Alaskan shoreline.
Much of the film centers on the conflict between local officials, the fishing industry, and the Exxon official sent out to oversee the clean-up and take the rap. The filmmakers point out that much of the aftermath could have been minimized had the officials in charge been better prepared and not spent so much time involved in useless red-tape and petty bureaucratic bickering.
Production and release
editDead Ahead is based on the Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred on March 24, 1989 where an oil tanker spilled nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil off the coast of Alaska. The film was written by Michael Baker. Baker spent more than a year going through official reports and transcripts for research before writing the first draft.[1]
Reception
editHoward Rosenberg from the Los Angeles Times called the film a "compelling thriller about self-interest taking precedence over public interest", praising Paul Seed's directing and the performances by John Heard and Christopher Lloyd.[2]
References
edit- ^ Brennan, Patricia (December 5, 1992). "Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Rosenberg, Howard (December 12, 1992). "TV Reviews: 'Dead Ahead': A Valdez-Spill Thriller". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
External links
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