Disaster Movies

Disaster movies were popular in the 1970s. They had big stars, action, and special effects. Some were based on popular novels, while others were original stories. The films all had a basic plot: people trying to survive a tragic event. The best movies featured characters audiences could identify with.

The trend began in 1970 with "Airport," based on Arthur Hailey's best-seller about a bomber on board an airliner. With an all-star cast headed by Burt Lancaster, the movie was 1970's biggest hit. It was followed by Irwin Allen's "The Poseidon Adventure in 1972. It starred Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine leading surviviors of a capsized ocean liner on New Year's Eve. The movie was 1973's top hit and won two Academy Awards.

Charlton Heston starred in two popular disaster films the following year. "Airport 1975" (1974) was an inferior sequel to the earlier film, with him as a pilot trying to save a damaged jet. "Earthquake" (1974) was a better film, written by Mario Puzo and starring Heston leading survivors of the title event in Los Angeles. This was the first movie in Sensurround.

But the best of all disaster movies was Irwin Allen's "The Towering Inferno," released in December 1974. It was the genre's biggest hit, thanks to a star-packed cast and top special effects. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen battle a huge fire in the world's tallest building, a suspenseful story that resonated with audiences everywhere. The movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three Oscars(for editing, cinematography, and original song).

The popularity of these films made it difficult for filmmakers to create good subsequent movies in the late 70s. Disaster films began to lose their appeal. Audiences felt that later entries were just repeats of the earlier films. They stayed away, turning instead to blockbusters like "Jaws" and "Star Wars".