The Towering Inferno

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Mark T Wow—what an incredible film! I wasn’t sure what to expect since The Towering Inferno came out the same year I was born, but it completely surprised me. This really feels like one of the very first true action blockbusters, laying the groundwork for movies like Die Hard more than a decade later. The large ensemble cast, the mix of disaster and action elements, and the escalating tension all make it feel surprisingly modern. The pacing is excellent, the character development is stronger than you’d expect for a disaster film, and the action sequences still hold up remarkably well. The film also isn’t afraid to raise the stakes—several main characters don’t make it, which keeps you genuinely invested and on edge. Of course, a few of the effects shots feel a little dated or campy by today’s standards, but considering this was long before CGI or the sophisticated special effects we take for granted now, it’s actually impressive how well it all comes together. Overall, I’d give this an 8.5 out of 10. It’s a landmark in action cinema, and honestly, if it were released today with the same story and pacing, I think it would still be a hit. Paul Newman and Faye Dunaway were great and Steve McQueen is a PIMP! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review rex w The greatest disaster film of all time. Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and William Holden gave 100% of themselves in this sophisticated action classic. I took my girlfriend on a date to see this in 1974. Fifty-one years later, now married for 43 years, we watched it again. It is still one of my favorite films. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Per S Among a number of logical flaws - why didn't the building collaps? Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/11/25 Full Review Matty D The Towering Inferno is perhaps the greatest fictional disaster film ever made. It is producer Irwin Allen’s masterpiece. Although it was first released in the mid-1970s, many of the movie’s themes and core elements still resonate today in timeless fashion. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen both give engaging and empathetic performances in the lead roles. However, it’s the film’s supporting characters that prove to be the heart of the story. There’s a real sense of danger and it’s made all the more impactful when not everybody is meant to survive the night’s inferno. The whole thing is gorgeously filmed and has top-notch special and practical effects which are far better than anything CGI could produce today, given that the fire on-set is real and not computer generated as is the case in modern films. What’s more is that it is an ode to firefighters and civil engineers, who perhaps do not get the recognition they deserve for ensuring our daily safety. Easily one of the greatest blockbuster films ever made, The Towering Inferno is a must-see movie. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review NiB Y The ULTIMATE Disaster movie alongside Poseidon Adventure, both from the master himself Irwin Allen. THIS, was the original Blockbuster, not Jaws (Technically it actually was D. W. Griffith's 1916 Intolerance but that's a whole 'nother complicated story). Amazing and memorable performances of both leads (McQueen and Newman) and UNFATHOMABLE visual effects. This movie was one of the EXTREMELY rare cases where i didn't check my clock a single time despite it's towering (pun intended) runtime of a whole 160 minutes! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/24 Full Review Nol P TI started out nicely with some good promise but as the movie went along, the hokey levels started to go up and up. The special effects for the time were as good as they could accomplish and I always factor in timelines of movies with these reviews. It seemed that not many at all showed much fright and most were cool as beans almost always. I know I would have been scared as yes I am scared of fires. I take all accounts and precautions seriously to never be in one! I would have also shown way more concern that was shown by almost everyone there after the whole building was engulfed in flames. This is also a one and done watch for me and I give it yes a 5.5 of 10 only. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were very cool actors of their time but their acting skills were not utilized nearly enough by this director who is at fault for the overall big picture. And with a very long running time too. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Towering Inferno

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