Rating: 
Summary: Murphy takes a plane trip
Review: "Airport" began a trend in movies, with several sequels, plus two parodies ("Airplane" and its sequel). In "Airport" we see a big-name cast show us the dramas that can unfold in an airport, with many converging storylines, including a blizzard, a plane that gets stuck, and a despairing and desperate suicide-bomber (played superbly by Van Heflin).
While the problems of a snowstorm hitting an airport are not uncommon (the Winter of 2004-2005 gave us many examples) and planes do get stuck in the mud (this happened at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Fenruary 2005), the bomber storyline was the most unusual (especially as it was not a foreign terrorist). What made me think of Murphy's Law is that all these things are happening at the same time and in the same airport.
While there is that air of improbability, and the story drifts from drama to melodrama at times, the acting and the general sincerity of the stories saves the movie. It is well worth watching, but I'm not sure whether I'd buy it.
Rating:
Summary: The granddaddy of all disaster flicks!
Review: "Airport" was the movie that started the disaster genre. It's actually a very suspenseful film if you can get past the dated sets, costumes, hairdos, cheesy dialogue and some cardboard characters. Anyway, about the film. It takes place during a blizzard at Lincoln International Airport and features a wide variety of characters to walk through. There is Airport manager Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster), who is having an affair with a passenger relations manager, Tanya Livingston (Jean Seburg), while trying to avoid his mean wife, Cindy (Dana Wynter). Then we have a little old lady stowaway, Ada Quonsett (Helen Hayes), who boards a plane where the Captain (Dean Martin) is having an affair with the chief stewardess (Jacqueline Bissett), while trying to save the plane from being destroyed by a nutcase with a bomb in his briefcase (Van Heflin). All the while, a plane gets stuck in the snow which blocks the primary runway, forcing an aircraft mechanic, Joe Patroni (George Kennedy) to start shoveling FAST with his crew. Oh, almost forgot the nutcase's wife, Inez (Maureen Stapleton) who tries to stop him before it is too late. I think that is everyone I got! Anyway, if you are looking for die hard action, skip this flim, it's more soap-operaish than anything, but the acting is outstanding and little helen Hayes even won an Oscar! This film was so popular (and also the Arthur Hailey book of the same name), that is spawned 3 successful sequels in the next 10 years. If you like disaster, snow, colorful characters and a wide assortment of ridiculous situations, then "Airport" is your film!
Rating: 
Summary: OLD FASHIONED ENTERTAINMENT
Review: "AIRPORT" is one of those old-fashioned Sunday evening type movies that has been enjoyed by many. Forget the abysmal sequels which turn alot of people off this original and enjoy the numerous plot twists that develop throughout. The best acting comes from the supporting cast in which Helen Hayes and in particular Van Heflin standout. Though overlong (A minor gripe) the direction is taut and the suspense level is maintained. If viewing this movie at home,go for the DVD version (Widescreen preferably) I rate this DVD highly
Rating:
Summary: The granddaddy of all disaster flicks!
Review: "Airport" was the movie that started the disaster genre. It's actually a very suspenseful film if you can get past the dated sets, costumes, hairdos, cheesy dialogue and some cardboard characters. Anyway, about the film. It takes place during a blizzard at Lincoln International Airport and features a wide variety of characters to walk through. There is Airport manager Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster), who is having an affair with a passenger relations manager, Tanya Livingston (Jean Seburg), while trying to avoid his mean wife, Cindy (Dana Wynter). Then we have a little old lady stowaway, Ada Quonsett (Helen Hayes), who boards a plane where the Captain (Dean Martin) is having an affair with the chief stewardess (Jacqueline Bissett), while trying to save the plane from being destroyed by a nutcase with a bomb in his briefcase (Van Heflin). All the while, a plane gets stuck in the snow which blocks the primary runway, forcing an aircraft mechanic, Joe Patroni (George Kennedy) to start shoveling FAST with his crew. Oh, almost forgot the nutcase's wife, Inez (Maureen Stapleton) who tries to stop him before it is too late. I think that is everyone I got! Anyway, if you are looking for die hard action, skip this flim, it's more soap-operaish than anything, but the acting is outstanding and little helen Hayes even won an Oscar! This film was so popular (and also the Arthur Hailey book of the same name), that is spawned 3 successful sequels in the next 10 years. If you like disaster, snow, colorful characters and a wide assortment of ridiculous situations, then "Airport" is your film!
Rating:
Summary: Aviation True for Hollywood
Review: After reading this book, and purchasing this movie, I am impressed. I am a pilot, and the scenes of aviation are true if not archaic. In today's standards, Hollywood shifts everything out of proportion. However, if a viewer wants a true insight to the thoughts and processes of a an aviator or air traffic controller, this movie is one of the best sources. What the special effects lack, it makes up in depth and character.
Rating: 
Summary: A funny disaster movie!
Review: Airport is one funny movie. I was not even born when this movie was in the theatres and hence, wanted to see the movie that led to other memorable disaster movies such as Towering Inferno. It is a bit amazing that they managed to get Burt Lancaster. However, that shows that he was very desperate for cash.
Rating:
Summary: The Mother of all Airport films is the best one !
Review: Airport is surprisingly faithful to Arthur Hailey's book, with regards to the screenplay. Jacqueline Bisset is perfectly cast as a stewardess, as is Helen Hayes as the stowaway passenger. Van Heflin and Maureen Stapleton share many poignant moments, and a little seen Barbara Hale rounds out the shining stars very well. While I have seen this movie called "slow and plodding", you actually get quite involved with all the characters and know about their motivation before the crucial scene in the air where it all comes to pass. Of course, this huge success at box office has been let down by a... DVD release - it's in Pan & Scan. Why anyone would do this on a DVD is beyond me. Also, it's lacking a lot of extra features that a film of this calibre should have on a DVD. Regardless, the film is an awesome piece of entertainment, faithful to the novel (without the "boring parts") and is supurbly acted by a stellar cast. It deserved to be the runaway worldwide success it was.
Rating:
Summary: Great for nostalgia, but ultimately flawed....
Review: Airport signalled the beginning of the 'disaster' movie phenomenon of the 1970's. The disaster movie was the perfect vehicle to showcase the increased quality and depth of special effects available to movie makers as well as the stereo sound in theatres.The main problem with Airport is the pacing of the movie. For the first 1.5 hours, the pacing is excruciatingly slow. In this extremely slow build up, we are treated to soap opera theatrics including the mandatory 'husband leaving his wife for the young bimbo' storyline. There seems to be too many side stories that detract from the main focus of the 'mad bomber'. By the end of the 70's though, the problems inherent within Airport were worked on to give us gripping 'on the edge of your seat' disaster movies such as The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. Not that Airport is a bad movie - just slow and packed with too many side stories. The exciting part of the movie lasts all of ½ an hour. But it is almost worth it to see the final scenes of the plane landing. It's also interesting to see the early 70's in full action - the orange chairs and gaudy yellow walls are captured for us all to appreciate and admire! Airport, whilst flawed, should be of interest to nostalgia buffs who wish to see the development of the 70's disaster movie.
Rating:
Summary: Would be 5 if it was in widescreen
Review: Although a very good movie, Universal and GoodTimes need their head examined for not showing the whole movie in widescreen. Only split-screen moments (telephone calls, air communication, and credits) are in wide. Maybe they'll be a thirtieth anniversary edition in widescreen.
Rating:
Summary: The original AIRPORT is still exciting 32 years later!
Review: As a young teen in 1970, I actually saw this film in the theatre 15 times when it premiered! I guess it all went to my head, because I became a flight attendant, and it's all because of this movie! (OK, so I'm crazy, but it pays the bills!) As an industry insider, I truly enjoy the historical aspects of this film. To see how an old woman can stow-away simply by walking onboard on a flight to Rome is amazing. To see the mad bomber easily carrying a bomb onboard in his briefcase is chilling. Hard to believe that airports once had no security screening or x-rays. You'll also notice the overhead shelf above the passenger seats isn't even enclosed. Didn't the carry-on luggage used to fall on their heads in turbulance? You'll notice many interesting differences in details like these throughout the film. But on to the film review... This is a truly exciting film. The stars are perfectly cast, especially the role of glamourous stewardess Gwyn Meighen as played by Jaqueline Bissett. It is wonderfully photographed. The tension-building music score adds to the excitement. Definitely a big-budget production. As the first of the string of airplane disaster films in the '70's, it remains by far the best. Everything about this production is purely First Class. Everything that followed (ie: "Airport 75" and "Airport 77") was pure camp. Nothing compares to the original. This film MUST be seen in widescreen to be best appreciated. If you (as I did) purchased the earlier "standard format" DVD version of this film, throw it away and buy the widescreen version. It's worth the $... TECHNICAL NOTES:
This widescreen version has been digitally enhanced, producing a very high-quality image. You'll love watching this film as it was originally presented in theatres.
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