Choke Canyon (1986) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A researcher fights to recover his leased canyon after a corporation destroys his laboratory and plans illegal nuclear-waste dumping.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Comet Energy Experiment

Dr. David Lowell conducts research in southern Utah. He hopes to use sound waves generated by Halley's Comet to create a safe, cheap energy source.

Key Events

• Harvard-Educated Researcher — Dr. David Lowell is introduced as a Harvard-educated researcher. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah
• Southern Utah Canyon — Lowell conducts his research in the canyon country of southern Utah. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Canyon country of southern Utah
• Halley's Comet Approaches — Lowell's research must coincide with Halley's Comet passing over Earth. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• Comet Sound Waves — Lowell studies the sound waves generated by the comet. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• Energy Research Goal — He seeks a safe, cheap energy source based on comet sound waves. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Laboratory on leased land

The Canyon Lease Betrayed

Lowell leases the canyon from the Pilgrim Corporation. The corporation instead identifies the remote location as a site for illegal nuclear-waste dumping.

Key Events

• Land Lease — Lowell leases the research land from the Pilgrim Corporation. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Pilgrim-leased canyon land
• Corporate Reassessment — The Pilgrim Corporation decides the canyon has another profitable use. Location: Pilgrim Corporation
• Illegal Waste Plan — The corporation plans to use the remote canyon to dump nuclear waste illegally. Location: Southern Utah canyon
• CEO Orders Removal — The Pilgrim CEO arranges to have Lowell removed from the leased land. Location: Pilgrim Corporation
• Lowell Loses Land — Lowell is thrown off the land he leased for his research. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Leased canyon land
• Destroyed Laboratory — The Pilgrim Corporation destroys Lowell's laboratory. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Lowell's laboratory

Laboratory in Ruins

The Pilgrim CEO arranges for Lowell to be removed from the land. The corporation then destroys his laboratory, turning the property dispute into an open struggle.

Key Events

• Sabotage Begins — After losing his land and laboratory, Lowell begins sabotaging the company. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Pilgrim Corporation operations
• Property Recovery Campaign — Lowell combines sabotage with an effort to recover his property. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• CEO Daughter Assists — The Pilgrim CEO's daughter assists Lowell in his campaign. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• Unexpected Hit-Man Support — An unnamed hit-man offers unlikely help because he sympathizes with Lowell's cause. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• Campaign Gains Support — Lowell's sabotage campaign expands with assistance from unexpected allies. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Pilgrim Corporation operations

Sabotage and Strange Allies

Lowell retaliates through sabotage while attempting to recover his land. The CEO's daughter and a sympathetic hit-man provide unexpected assistance.

Key Events

• Corporate Countermove — The corporation employs opposition to stop Lowell's activities. Location: Pilgrim Corporation
• Sabotage Escalates — Lowell continues sabotaging the company while pursuing the land dispute. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Pilgrim Corporation operations
• Land Conflict Peaks — The struggle centers on whether the canyon will serve research or illegal waste dumping. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon
• Ongoing Recovery Struggle — Lowell's continuing objective is to recover his land from the corporation. Characters: Dr. David Lowell Location: Southern Utah canyon

Story Breakdown

• Scientific Premise — Lowell's research depends on Halley's Comet and its sound waves.
  • Canyon Research — Dr. David Lowell conducts research in southern Utah canyon country.
  • Comet Energy Theory — He seeks a safe, cheap energy source using comet-generated sound waves.
• Canyon Lease — Lowell's access to the research site comes through a lease from the Pilgrim Corporation.
  • Pilgrim Agreement — Lowell leases the canyon land from the corporation.
  • Remote Research Site — The leased canyon supports his laboratory and comet-related work.
• Corporate Reversal — The corporation changes its intended use for the canyon.
  • Waste Dumping Plan — Pilgrim plans to dump nuclear waste illegally in the remote canyon.
  • CEO's Removal Order — The Pilgrim CEO arranges to have Lowell removed from the land.
• Laboratory Destruction — The corporate takeover destroys the physical foundation of Lowell's research.
  • Expulsion From Land — Lowell is thrown off the land he leased.
  • Research Facility Ruined — The Pilgrim Corporation destroys his laboratory.
• Sabotage Campaign — Lowell retaliates against the corporation while pursuing the return of his property.
  • Corporate Sabotage — Lowell spends the rest of the conflict sabotaging the company.
  • Property Recovery — His larger objective is to recover the leased land.
• Unlikely Allies — Unexpected support strengthens Lowell's resistance to the corporation.
  • CEO's Daughter — The Pilgrim CEO's daughter assists Lowell's campaign.
  • Sympathetic Hit-Man — An unnamed hit-man helps Lowell because he sympathizes with his cause.
• Land Conflict Peaks — The central struggle becomes a contest between research, corporate control, and illegal waste disposal.
  • Corporate Opposition — The corporation attempts to stop Lowell's campaign.
  • Canyon's Future — The canyon's use remains the decisive issue in Lowell's recovery effort.

Directed by

Charles Bail

Key Cast

• Stephen Collins — Dr. David Lowell
• Bo Svenson — Capt. Oliver Parkside
• Janet Julian — Vanessa Pilgrim
• Lance Henriksen — Brook Alastair
• Nicholas Pryor — John Pilgrim