Outbreak (film)

Outbreak is a 1995 American medical disaster film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and based on Richard Preston's nonfiction book The Hot Zone. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo and Morgan Freeman, and co-stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland.

Plot

The film focuses on an outbreak of a fictional Ebola-like virus, Motaba, in Zaire and later in a small town in the United States. It is primarily set in the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the fictional town of Cedar Creek, California.

Production

Outbreaks plot speculates on the outbreak of a deadly, contagious disease in the United States, and the political and scientific response to such an event. The film was produced by Warner Bros. and Petersen's production company, Radiant Productions.

Reception

Outbreak was released on March 10, 1995, and grossed over $189 million worldwide. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its suspense and acting but criticism for its plot and character development.

Legacy

Despite its mixed critical reception, Outbreak has gained a cult following and is frequently referenced in popular culture. It has also been used as a teaching tool in public health and government classes, particularly in discussions of bioterrorism.