One tiny post becomes a read of blazing takes.
Today, we wrap up the four-film Disaster Blasters! series with a look at The Towering Inferno (1974, John Guillermin). It’s considered the “good disaster movie” but I beg to differ, and I make my case within:
John Guillermin is kind of a surprising choice for director; while a journeyman of twenty-five years at that point, none of his previous work was particularly famous, and his previous film (Shaft in Africa!) tanked. Guillermin’s work is a pleasure here. I’ve called the “getting to know the characters” portion of a disaster movie “The Boring First Act”; the first act here is so smooth, it makes me long for a non-disaster prime-time soap opera version. (This is where I need to note that this film, in the famously-grubby disaster genre, is nearly 3 hours long. That’s part of the money attack to proclaim its “importance,” but I suspect it also allows these early “boring” scenes some room to breathe.) Notably, the “action scenes” (as indicated in the opening credits) were directed by producer Irwin Allen, of TPA fame. If they aren’t as smooth as Guillermin’s dramatic scenes, if they’re a bit more pedestrian in conception and execution, I’m willing to acknowledge that Allen had more technical obstacles to overcome than Guillermin. At the end of the day, I want to believe some screaming lady is actually suspended 1,500 feet in a half-assed-looking ski lift, and Allen gets it done.
It’s got great actors on amazing sets, guided by the sure hands of two veteran directors through impressive setpieces.
So why doesn’t it work?
For the game material portion, I’ve written a fake example of play for a non-existent disaster movie-themed micro-ttrpg, using The Poseidon Adventure as inspiration. It’s possible I might use this as a jumping-off point to make a real disaster movie-themed micro-ttrpg. Or maybe I won’t. Who knows. Note: as of this writing, this portion isn’t there yet! It’s been a bear to write. Should be there by tomorrow. Sorry!
In two weeks, the next Against the ‘70s themed series begins: American Dystopias! Too soon?
THE DISASTER BLASTERS! SERIES, NOW COMPLETE:
NEXT TIME, ON AGAINST THE ‘70S:
