Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster

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
GenreDrama
Written byMichael Baker
Directed byPaul Seed
StarringChristopher Lloyd
John Heard
Rip Torn
Bob Gunton
Michael Murphy
Mark Metcalf
Music byDavid Ferguson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersRichard Broke
Colin Callender
Leslie Woodhead
ProducersJohn Smithson
David M. Thompson
Howard Meltzer (co-producer)
Frank Doelger (co-producer)
Joanna Gueritz (associate producer)
Production locationsAlaska
Vancouver
CinematographyIan Punter
EditorDave King
Running time90 minutes
Production companiesHBO Showcase
BBC Films
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseDecember 12, 1992 (1992-12-12)

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 edit

On 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.

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