Rating: 
Summary: Still good after almost 30 years
Review: This movie is the kind of film which was in vogue in Hollywood in the 1970s - the disaster film. Get a huge all-star cast, put them in the middle of a terrible disaster and watch them try to get out. This film is probably the ne plus ultra of the genre. Although it is certainly a special effects film, this movie says something about the way movies were made then as opposed to now. The filmmakers felt obliged to develop the plot and characters before blowing you away with special effects. The film starts off with a long opening credits sequence of a helicopter flying over the Northern California coastline towards San Francisco; John Williams' excellent theme music swirls and arches as the helicopter flies over cliffs and waves and rolling hills before reaching San Francisco and landing on the top of the 130-storey tower. The fire builds slowly, from an electrical short in a utility closet to a full-on blaze which envelops the entire building and threatens a party full of VIP's on the top floor. What amazes me is how great the special effects are, nearly 30 years later, all done with models and without computers. Irwin Allen knew how to build tension up slowly and gracefully. He fills the screenplay with "little victories" such as rescuing a child before the climax. This was one of Steve McQueen's last big movies. Well into his 50s at the time of this film, he exudes the quiet, competent macho, free of bravado or swagger, that characerized films stars of his era. Capt. Halloran is a quiet, competent everyday Joe, not particularly handsome or well-built, who simply goes out and achieves the impossible, without the sarcasm or self-conscious humor that action films have had since the 1980s. McQueen died in Mexico in 1980 while being treated for cancer. Paul Newman is great also. It's interesting to note that Hollywood in the 1970s felt that it could build an action film around 2 fifty-something stars without a lot of sex or nudity or profanity. At the end of the film, Capt. Halloran gives a speech telling Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) that it's just impossible to fight a fire effectively in such a tall building. Then he gets in his car and drives away. The year of this film's release, 1974, was one year after the World Trade Center was dedicated (I know this because I worked in 5 WTC for many years). Although I hesitate to take moral lessons from Hollywood, clearly we don't know any more about preventing such disasters in tall buildings today than we did in the early 70s. I saw this film twice upon its release as a 6 year old in 1974. It thrilled me then - it was the first big adult movie which I clearly remember. All in all, a great and memorable film.
Rating:
Summary: This is a MUST HAVE for any collection.
Review: You should know the story, and have probably seen this movie at least once, so I'll spare the synopsis.
This was a movie made with big names, great actors, and actually very believable and realistic special effects, and sets - long before the days of computer enhancement.
Even if you know how it will all end, you'll be drawn in again and again. A truly great movie, now available on DVD at an exceptional price. This movie is actually good to share with a whole new generation (small children may find the subject matter a little frightening), and holds it's own very well against more modern movies of the genre. One of the biggest and best disaster movies EVER made. Enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful movie
Review: I found "The Towering Inferno" to be an extremely entertaining movie. I really liked it. This film has an incredible cast, and a suspenseful, occasionally terrifying story. Many people get burned and killed in "The Towering Inferno", so it's not for kids. It's also quite long, so prepare yourself for that. The cinematography is great, and the picture quality on this DVD is razor sharp. Unfortunately, the only extras are a trailer and brief biographical information on the main stars. No making-of documentaries or commentary during the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Blockbuster of a Movie!
Review: Steve McQueen AND Paul Newman in the SAME movie??? Need I
say more...That itself makes it a winner, along with a very
good supporting cast, and a fire that just won't quit. Architect Doug Roberts (Newman) has built the tallest building in the world. However, due to faulty wiring, a massive fire breaks out the night of a party for the building's opening.
I must admit though, the movie doesn't really kick in until
McQueen shows up on the scene, as the fire chief. Never before have I fast-
forwarded a movie up to the middle, but this was an exception.
After Newman and McQueen (two of my favorites,) Jennifer Jones and Fred Astaire are the best. They make a wonderful couple. Also starring William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Richard Chamberlin, Robert Wagner, and O.J. Simpson.
Rating:
Summary: OJ SIMSON
Review: As great as the movie is and well acted -there is one flaw in this film-OJ Simson alias wife beater killer is in this movie untill the director and or people involed in creating this movie and restoration crew can replace OJ Simson footage I will never purchase this film on DVD and or VHS till OJ Simson is replaced with alternate footage with techknowledgely theese days they can remove and or replace that one little seen rescue of a cat seen or fill in the with alternate actor.... Other wise a great film to view on television Joe Straborny
Rating:
Summary: No doubt, BEST DISASTER MOVIE EVER!
Review: Firstly, this movie deserves praise for Faye Dunaway's dress that she wears throughout the entire film. But movies shouldn't all be beautiful women in provocative clothing, this movie has it all. Produced by Irwin Allen, who produced "The Poseidon Adventure" before this movie. Allen bested himself in this flick. The story is relatively simple; the world's highest skyscraper catches on fire. There is a large party on the top floor, and we watch as people fight for survival as the fire creeps towards them. Only Steve McQueen playing a streetwise firehouse captain, and Paul Newman acting as the tower's architect can stop the fire before everyone inside dies. As I was re-watching this film I couldn't help but think of the similar situation faced by many in the 9-11 attack. Their result was not as positive. throughout the film there are too many people, too many relationships, and too much death to keep track of everything. However, the important people to watch are Fred Astaire, Faye Dunaway, Paul Newman, and Steve McQueen. This is the only real weakness to the film. Also, for a film that is approaching 30 years old the special effects are still good, and that will make this a good film for a long time. The images of the tower burning, the fires, and the stunts are superb. At times, the acting in this film can seem a bit stiff. That's early on, however after the first 20 minutes of the film everyone seems to find their place in the film. One of the notable performances is done by O.J. Simpson, who plays as a senior security guard. The interplay between McQueen and Newman is also well done, especially since there was a good chance of major dorkdom in the architect of the "perfect" building versus the blue-collar fireman plotline. Some may complain that the movie is slow, and maybe by modern "immediate gratification" standards it is, I say that the tension builds, you care about the characters, many of which, and are left at the end of your seat. And I was watching the thing on a computer; imagine what a decent entertainment system will do. This definitely is an "essential" film.
Rating: 
Summary: Disaster epic recalls past era of Hollywood
Review: I remember when I first saw the 1974 disaster epic "The Towering Inferno" as a child. The movie was playing exclusively at one of those old-fashioned, huge theaters, complete with balcony and curtains which drew open as the film began. The screen was gigantic. There was not an empty seat in the house. Moviegoers applauded as the opening chords of John Williams' tremendous score began thundering from the speakers during the opening credit sequence. And fans continued to applaud, most notably when Steven McQueen finally arrives on the scene, fire marshall red car skidding to a halt, helmet in hand. This film, one of the greatest blockbusters in cinema history, was a true event for 1970s audiences. It has always been easy to dismiss this film, just as most critics dismiss many of the popular disaster films of this era ("Airport," "Earthquake," "The Poseidon Adventure"). When watching "The Towering Inferno" today (this film must be seen in the letterbox format, if only to truly appreciate the fantastic special effects), I feel a sad twinge of nostalgia. Steve McQueen's presence alone is worth the price of admission, and this role would turn out to be one of his last in a major film. He steals just about every scene he's in, simply because of his extraordinary screen presence. A few wrinkles crease his weathered face, he's kind of chubby, but even with middle age slowly approaching, McQueen's spark is undeniable. "The Towering Inerno" is a great example as to why McQueen was one of our greatest movie stars. Sure, the enormous cast sleepwalks through most of this film in "I'm-just-collecting-a-paycheck" fashion, but has Paul Newman and Faye Dunaway ever been as attractive as they were in this flick? The Maureen McGovern song "We May Never Love Like This Again" (which won an Academy Award) is pure 70s schmaltz, the disco fashions relatively amusing (gotta love Richard Chamberlain's suit) and you even have Fred Astaire doing a bit of soft shoe with Jennifer Jones. I'm not going to mention O.J. Simpson's role, simply because he's way too easy of a target these days. Through it all, "The Towering Inferno" does have an important message, eventually becoming a tribute to the heroism of our nation's firefighters. That's good. I also love one of Newman's final lines in the film, in which he says they should just leave the tower as is - "I think they should just leave it, kind of a monument to all the bull[stuff] in the world." It's also interesting to see two legends such as McQueen and Newman working together on screen. In fact, I can't really recall a single film in history in which two acting legends the status of McQueen/Newman starred in the same film together such as this. In today's Hollywood, they really don't make movie stars like this anymore. And they really don't make films like this anymore. Going to the movie theater used to be an event. Huge screens, larger-than-life movie stars, movies playing at the same theater for months at a time. "The Towering Inferno" reminds me of that era, before cable TV, before video rental stores, before multiplex movie theaters. It's corny, it's funny, and it's special effects-driven. But it's a glamorous film, as old-fashioned as "Grand Hotel," and a testament to a bygone era in Hollywood.
Rating:
Summary: Good Special Effects
Review: The Towering Inferno is definitely one of the best of the disaster movies and I reccomend it to anyone who likes to watch these types of movies. The dialogue and some of the acting are a little cheesy but some of the acting is very good especially the acting from Paul Newman and Steve McQueen and most important of all are the special effects which are very impressive. I had this on tape, taped it off of AMC but it was taped over so I might buy the movie on DVD someday.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as "Poseidon" but entertaining
Review: Irwin Allen's apex was "The Poseidon Adventure". "The Towering Inferno" boasts bigger stars, more elaborate sfx (including the dress worn by Dunaway that she managed not to "pop" out of), and a more complex score from John Williams. However, the script could've used a few more rewrites to erase the lapses in logic. That withstanding, the movie does what it was intended to do: provide a couple of hours of escapism. Sadly, the scenes of flames shooting out of the side of the lumbering edifice are frightening reminiscent of the short glimpses of fire from BOTH towers of the late, great World Trade Center. Who would've thought that an image from a 30-year-old film would foretell a horror unthinkable to most Americans?
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie but...................
Review: In my opinion this is one of the best movies of all time. The only thing that I don't like is Doug Roberts girlfiend, wife or whatever she is. She gets annoying after a while and she doesn't have any signifigant part in the movie. Overall this is a great movie! I love the suspense!
| 
