Acceptable Risks

Acceptable Risks
Directed by	Rick Wallace
Written by	Marvin A. Gluck
Release date	1986

Acceptable Risks is a 1986 television film directed by Rick Wallace and written by Marvin A. Gluck. ^[1]

The film is set in the fictional city of Oakbridge, where a housing development was built near a chemical plant. Due to poor planning and safety standards, there is an explosion at the chemical plant that releases poisonous chemicals into the environment in a major disaster. ^[2]

The film received mixed reviews from critics who noted its heavy-handed environmental messaging. ^{[3] [4]} Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times noted that the film drew inspiration from the real life Bhopal disaster of 1984. ^[1]

Cast

• Brian Dennehy as Dan Sheppard, the chemical plant manager
• Cicely Tyson as Janet Framm, an Oakbridge city planner
• Kenneth McMillan as Wes Boggs, the plant's maintenance manager
• Christine Ebersole as Lee Snyder, an employee of the plant

References

1. Rosenberg, Howard (February 28, 1986). "TV TACKLES A PAIR OF TOXIC TOPICS". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
2. Snowden, Lynne L. (March 1, 1986). "Film Review: Acceptable Risks. Telecast by the American Broadcasting Company in March 1986. USA. 1986. Time 87 Minutes. Color". International Journal of Mass Emergencies & Disasters. 4 (1): 91–93. doi:10.1177/028072708600400110. ISSN   0280-7270.
3. "TV Previews". The Washington Post. March 1, 1986. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved January 27, 2026.
4. Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2000). The Video Movie Guide 2001. Ballantine Books. p. 4. ISBN   978-0-345-42099-2.