China Lake (1983): Cast & Plot
China Lake is a 1983 short horror thriller directed by Robert Harmon, starring Charles Napier as Donnelly, William Sanderson and Mickey Jones. It runs 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 34 min
- Director
- Robert Harmon
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is China Lake About?
The premise of China Lake without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film follows motorcycle officer Donnelly, who spends his off‑duty days cruising the desert on his Harley while still in uniform. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that beneath his disciplined exterior lies a disturbed, psychopathic mind, driven to violence when his warped sense of right and wrong is challenged by a few strangers.
China Lake Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- police
- motorcycle
- rural setting
- disturbed
- police harassment
- police brutality
- desert
China Lake Cast & Characters
Charles Napier leads the cast as Donnelly, with William Sanderson as Little Germ and Mickey Jones as Big Guy. Directed by Robert Harmon; 6 actors are credited in all.
- Director Robert Harmon
-
Charles Napier as Donnelly - William Sanderson as Little Germ
- Mickey Jones as Big Guy
- Michel François as Policeman
Also Starring in China Lake
· 2 more- Gilmer McCormick Helene
- Claudia Harrington Cafe Patron
China Lake Plot Summary
What happens in China Lake from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Donnelly is a disturbed cop on vacation leave, and yet he stays in his uniform as he roams the desert on a Harley. He stops a woman he claims is drunk, but the toll of hours behind the wheel is clear on her face—she is far from intoxicated. In a brutal moment, he binds her in the trunk of her car and leaves it on a quiet road, hoping no passerby will interrupt his harsh judgment.
Full summary
The whole story of China Lake, scene by scene
Seen China Lake?
Movies Like China Lake
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including China O’Brien, China Strike Force and China Moon.
China Lake FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of China Lake, each answered in a sentence.
How long is China Lake?
China Lake runs 34 minutes.
When was China Lake released?
China Lake was released on April 6, 1983.
Who directed China Lake?
China Lake was directed by Robert Harmon.
More films by Robert Harmon Who is in the cast of China Lake?
China Lake stars Charles Napier as Donnelly, William Sanderson as Little Germ and Mickey Jones as Big Guy, among 6 credited actors.
Does China Lake have a post-credit scene?
No. China Lake has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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