The 1970s were a time of artistic renaissance for American film: a new generation of spirited filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes took independent cinema into grittier, more real, and darker terrains. At the same time, mainstream cinema was becoming bigger, wilder, and grimmer. Reflecting the pessimism and economic stagnation of the time, the 1970s saw a golden era for disaster films that thrilled audiences with the possibility of chaos: boats sank, huge buses crashed, skyscrapers came down, and nuclear meltdown seemed imminent. These movies shared an affinity for spectacular action scenes, impressive practical effects, and impending death.
Perhaps the disaster genre was commercially and critically well-received in the '70s because the chaos was spectacular, entertaining and explicitly fictional, unlike the political and economic chaos of real life. Whether you are a fan or not, the truth remains that '70s disaster movies created a legacy that resonates until today. Here are five of the best.
5 Airport
The Airport series of films was so popular in its day that it even led to an even more popular spoof, Airplane! But none of this would've been possible without the magic of the original Airport. Released in 1970 and directed by George Seaton, the film follows the staff of an airport and airplane when a snowstorm threatens to paralyze the airport while a suicide bomber hijacks a flight. It might sound like a lot is happening at once, which is true, but the film also manages to give viewers a glimpse of the daily operations of an airport. Burt Lancaster plays the manager of the airport who does his best to guide the plane piloted by Dean Martin's character to safety. The initial critical reaction to Airport was mixed, with Roger Ebert writing that "the gags are painfully simpleminded (a priest, pretending to cross himself, whacks a wise guy across the face). And the characters talk in regulation B-movie clichés like no B-movie you've seen in ten years." However, the Academy disagreed, and the film received nine nominations at the Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design (for the legendary designer Edith Head) and Best Supporting Actress for Helen Hayes performance, who took the prize that night. It is undeniable that Airport inspired many films, and it is seen as the one that ignited the disaster trend in the 70s.
4 The Poseidon Adventure
Before there was Titanic, there was The Poseidon Adventure: one of the best disaster-at-sea movies ever made. Directed by the Ronal Neame and based on the novel of the same name written by Paul Gallico, the film shows the last journey of the SS Poseidon as it travels from New York City to Athens, but before meeting its destination, the ship is taken over by a tsunami which traps them in the vessel. The film features a top-notch ensemble cast with names like Gene Hackman, Shelley Winters, and Ernest Borgninen. The Poseidon Adventure won two Oscars for Best Visual Effects and for Best Original Song, and it spawned many sequels and a remake in 2006. The film's legacy still lives on as the most iconic shipwreck film ever and the movie that made us all scared of going near a cruise ship.
3 The Andromeda Strain
While some disaster films focused on creating somewhat unrealistic and spectacular depictions of chaos, The Andromeda Strain is unique for its scientifically accurate depiction of a deadly organism. Directed by Robert Wise and faithfully based on the novel by Michael Crichton, this sci-fi thriller follows a team of scientists who are trying to save humanity from an invasive and deadly alien organism. In 2003, The Infectious Diseases Society of America has argued that The Andromeda Strain is the "most significant, scientifically accurate, and prototypic of all films of this [killer virus] genre ... it accurately details the appearance of a deadly agent, its impact, and the efforts at containing it, and, finally, the work-up on its identification and clarification on why certain persons are immune to it." The Andromeda Strain is a precursor to realistic disaster films like Contagion and The Day After Tomorrow. This feeling of realism was perhaps due to the special effects work of Douglas Trumbull, a master of his craft who also worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. The Andromeda Strain was nominated for a Best Art Direction and Best Film Editing Oscars. The film was remade as a tense miniseries in 2008.
2 The China Syndrome
Jane Fonda stars in The China Syndrome as a television reporter who uncovers a series of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant. When she tries to show the world what she has found, she is met with a conspiracy to hide the possibility of a nuclear meltdown, in which the components of a nuclear reactor would melt into the earth all the way across the world to China. Mixing political intrigue with disaster tropes, the film is a thrilling experience from start to finish, and unlike many disaster films, is very realistic and serious, thanks to stars like Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, and Scott Brady among others. The China Syndrome was so good at predicting the future that only 12 days after its release there was a partial nuclear meltdown in Pennsylvania, which raised the film's prominence. The China Syndrome is one of the best '70s disaster films, and the critics at the time agreed. The film competed for the Palme d’Or and won the Best Actor award for Jack Lemmon at Cannes along with four Oscar nominations, including Best Actor, Actress and Best Screenplay. The China Syndrome asks important questions about the energy industry while keeping us on the edge of our seats.
1 The Towering Inferno
The Towering Inferno is the best '70s disaster film because it is a perfect combination of entertainment and cinematic skill. Starting with its fantastic cast featuring screen legends like Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, William Holden, and even O.J. Simpson among others. Then there's the talent behind the camera: the film was masterfully directed by John Guillermin and produced by “Master of Disaster” Irwin Allen of The Poseidon Adventure fame. And then there is its thrilling plot: The Towering Inferno takes place in a poorly constructed building, which on the day of its grand opening, catches a fire that threatens to bring down the entire structure and kill everyone inside. This film is chaotic, terrifying and exciting, which are all the marks of a great disaster film. The Towering Inferno was the highest-grossing film of 1974, and it received eight Oscar nominations, winning three for Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Original Song. The Towering Inferno is as massive as its titular skyscraper, it features fantastic visual effects and many beautiful shots of chaos, which explains why Roger Ebert called it "the best of the mid-1970s wave of disaster films." It is a living testament to the fun and thrill of the 70s disaster film.