A gargantuan undertaking by any stretch of the imagination, Irwin Allen/John Guillerman’s The Towering Inferno (1974) was the co-production launched between two major Hollywood studios. Initially, Fox and Warner Bros. had acquired rival novels with similar themes; Richard Martin Stern’s The Tower and Thomas N. Scortia’s The Glass Inferno – both about a skyscraper going up in flames.However, when the cost of mounting these productions proved exorbitant (and with returns predictably split from having two like-themed films hitting the box office at the same time) the powers that be at each studio decided instead to pool their resources and talents for one super production.
Dubbed by one critic as “Grand Hotel in flames,” a fitting tag since nearly every major talent (and a few minor ones) were jam-packed into the world’s tallest skyscraper, the film stars two of the biggest names in cinema then; Paul Newman, as architect Doug Roberts and Steve McQueen as Fire Chief Michael O’Hallorhan. Initially, McQueen balked over who would get top billing above the title. Eventually, a compromise was worked out where both actors would share a title card with Newman’s name positioned just slightly higher than McQueen’s.
Irwin Allen, no stranger to the disaster genre and riding high after the smashing success of The Poseidon Adventure, imbued The Towering Inferno with a philosophical slant on architectural esthetics versus fire safety. Allen also chose to turn the filming into a social event, erecting lavish star bungalows for all his principle cast that faced one another on the backlot.
The plot begins in earnest with preparations for the inaugural of the world’s tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. Tired of his hectic life in the fast lane, Doug Roberts plans his retirement after surveying his creation from a harrowing helicopter ride. He is persuaded to attend the debut party inside the roof top Promenade Room by the building’s contractor and friend, James Duncan (William Holden). However, Roberts is delayed from these plans by sultry book publisher, Susan Franklin (Faye Dunaway) who does not share Doug’s desire to rough it away from the city. In fact, Susan’s just been given a promotion at her job and is settling in for the career of a lifetime.
A small electrical fire in the basement powerhouse inadvertently leads to an undetected power surge in one of the building’s storerooms on the 81st floor where another fire quickly spreads undetected for several hours.
In the meantime, P.R. man Dan Bigolow (Robert Wagner) is planning an inner office tryst with personal secretary, Lorrie (Susan Flannery). Unfortunately their passion proves not quite as hot as the raging firestorm that rapidly engulfs Dan’s outer office, thereby trapping the two inside.
In the ballroom high atop this grand glass and steel stick of kindling there is a veritable who’s who of celebrities, including Fred Astaire as engaging con-artist Harlee Claiborne, out to seduce and swindle the elegant and wealthy widow Lisolette Muir (Jennifer Jones), though his heart isn’t in the rouse. Building supervisor and Duncan’s son-in-law, Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain) is also in attendance with wife Patty (Susan Blakely), but with one roving eye focused on Susan.
The cast is rounded out by stellar performances from Robert Vaughn (Senator Gary Parker), character actors Norman Burton (electrical engineer Will Giddings), Jack Collins (Mayor Ramsey) and even, O.J. Simpson (Jernigan – a security guard).Of course the real star of this film is fire – credibly ignited and made palpably frightening by very engaging special effects that continue to hold up even under today’s scrutiny.
Actual exteriors of the skyscraper were meticulously crafted models made in various sizes while the various interiors proved to be an amalgam of location shooting and sound stage recreations – particularly the Promenade Room – built several feet above the stage floor on a Fox soundstage to accommodate the climactic flooding sequence. Director/producer Allen’s fastidious attention to preproduction details resulted in a very organized ‘safe’ environment for the actors. What emerges on camera is anything but: a harrowing saga of lives hanging in the balance.
Guillermin and Allen split the directorial responsibilities on this film with Allen encouraging screenwriter Stirling Silliphant to come down hard on the building code and moral ethics involved in cutting corners on construction costs that render the finished product ultimately unsafe for its inhabitants. The film is also noteworthy for one of composer John Williams’ memorable early scores and the Oscar winning ‘We May Never Love Like This Again’ sung by Maureen McGovern.
Fox Home Video’s Blu-Ray incarnation easily bests its deluxe DVD treatment. The sumptuous color palette has been rendered with fine details present throughout. The image is so crisp and clean that it belies the fact that the film was made over thirty years ago. The audio is an aggressive 5.1 Dolby Tru-HD lossless with slight – though understandable limitations in fidelity.
Extras have all been imported from the 2 disc Cinema Classics collector’s set and include a comprehensive audio commentary that fills up all of the 170 min. running time by F.X. Feeney and Special Effects Director Mike Venzina and Stunt Coordinator, Branko Racki.
A retrospective looks at the film and brief bio on Irwin Allen, and shorts on the stunts and special effects as well as the AMC original documentary: Backstory – The Towering Inferno, plus a litany of extended scenes, outtakes and alternatives present the film as it might have been. The original theatrical trailer is also included. What is disappointing is that none of the printed materials produced for the Cinema Classics DVD have been included for the Blu-Ray. These include a beautiful press kit and lobby cards. So if you already own this film in its DVD incarnation, hang on to it for these extras.
Bottom line: The Towering Inferno is exceptional entertainment that continues to excite and entertain. Just don’t expect to get a night’s sleep after you’ve seen it – particularly if you live in a high rise. Highly recommended!
FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)
4
VIDEO/AUDIO
4.5
EXTRAS
3.5
0 comments:
Post a Comment