Mar 12 2009
“The Towering Inferno” (1974) *****
Preview
Starring: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Fred Astaire, Faye Dunaway, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner, Susan Flannery, Mike Lookinland, Carlena Gower, Scott Newman, Sheila Matthews, Jack Collins, Paul Comi, Gregory Sierra, Don Gordon, Norman Grabowski, Dabney Coleman, Norman Burton, and Felton Perry.
Directed by: John Guillermin and Irwin Allen.
Story:
Architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and Fireman Chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) battle a vicious high-rise fire that begins from a burnt out circuit breaker - What begins with a simple spark becomes 165 minutes of highly flammable action and adventure that traps 300 party guests on the 135th floor in the ballroom plus some stragglers on the lower floors. Chaos ensues with a whole onslaught of spectacular special effects sequences ranging from dangling elevators, crashing choppers, daring rescued attempts that both succeed and fail, and even a wet and wild showdown between the ballroom on the 135th floor and the enormous water tanks right above it.
Characters:
*Doug Roberts (Paul Newman): An architect who built the Glass Tower.
*Jim Duncan (William Holden): The Glass Tower’s building financier and Doug’s boss.
*Chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen): Chief firefighter who teams up with Doug.
*Susan Franklin (Faye Dunaway): Doug’s girlfriend.
*Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain): The stupid son-in-law of Mr. Duncan who is responsible for the whole fire in the first place.
*Patty Duncan Simmons (Susan Blakely): Roger’s wife.
*Harry Jernigan (O.J. Simpson): Head of the Glass Tower’s security.
Overall:
Riding on the heels of successful 70s disaster mega hits such as “Airport” and “The Poseidon Adventure”, the Roland Emmerich of 70s cinema (albeit a much better director), Irwin Allen, created “The Towering Inferno”. Mr. Allen and Warner Bros. adapted the concept from two novels, “The Tower” by Richard Martin Stern and “The Glass Inferno” by Thomas N. Scortia and Frank M. Robinson.
The film has an all-star cast led by McQueen and Newman, some including Faye Dunaway, O.J. Simpson, Fred Astaire, and many more. With John Williams’ catchy score and a blockbuster screenplay, “The Towering Inferno” was and still is a massive cinematic achievement that was won three Academy Awards (Best Cinematography, Film Editing, Best Song), two BAFTAS (Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Fred Astaire, Film Music- John Williams), and two Golden Globes (Best Supporting Actor - Fred Astaire, Most Promising Newcomer - Female - Susan Flannery).
Rating: *****
