The Towering Inferno main backdrop
The Towering Inferno main poster

The Towering Inferno

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7.0/10 • 951

1974-12-142h 45m

ActionDramaThriller

One tiny spark becomes a night of blazing suspense.

At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.

Directors
John Guillermin
Editors
Harold F. Kress

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Steve McQueen

    Steve McQueen

    Chief O'Hallorhan

  2. Paul Newman

    Paul Newman

    Doug Roberts

  3. William Holden

    William Holden

    Jim Duncan

  4. Faye Dunaway

    Faye Dunaway

    Susan

  5. Fred Astaire

    Fred Astaire

    Harlee Claiborne

  6. Susan Blakely

    Susan Blakely

    Patty

  7. Richard Chamberlain

    Richard Chamberlain

    Simmons

  8. Jennifer Jones

    Jennifer Jones

    Lisolette

  9. O. J. Simpson

    O. J. Simpson

    Jernigan

Reviews2

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Wuchak Avatar

Wuchak

Aug 9, 2018

6/10

Successful 70’s disaster flick isn’t anywhere near as entertaining as “The Poseidon Adventure” RELEASED IN 1974 and directed by John Guillermin, "The Towering Inferno" details events in San Francisco when the world's tallest building, The Glass Tower (138 stories), catches aflame due to an electrical short and threatens hundreds of lives during the grand dedication ceremony. Paul Newman plays the architect, Steve McQueen the fire chief, William Holden the wealthy contractor and Richard Chamberlain his arrogant cost-cutting son-in-law. This overblown disaster flick has a great all-star cast and was a huge success at the box office, but it pales in comparison to “The Poseidon Adventure,” released two years earlier. It lacks the compelling story, the great human interest and iconic score (even though John Williams composed both), plus it’s 48 minutes longer than “Poseidon,” which gives it a tedious vibe; that is, until the engrossing last half hour. On the female front there’s the striking Faye Dunaway, the architect’s babe; Susan Blakely, who looks great in tight slacks; and Susan Flannery, who’s smokin’ in a shirt & panties. Unfortunately, whereas “Poseidon” knocked it out of the ballpark with its women, “Towering” fails to capitalize on its resources. The film’s has its attractions and is still worth seeing if you favor the cast and 70’s disaster flicks. It’s just a letdown considering its streamlined predecessor and potential. THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours, 45 minutes and was shot in San Francisco and Los Angeles. WRITERS: Stirling Silliphant wrote the script based on the books “The Tower” by Richard Martin Stern and “The Glass Inferno” by Thomas N. Scortia & Frank M. Robinson. ADDITIONAL CAST NOTABLES: Fred Astaire, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner and Mike Lookinland (aka Bobby Brady). GRADE: B-/C+

Media

  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster
  • The Towering Inferno poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$14,000,000.00
Revenue
$116,000,000.00
Keywords
rescuehelicopterfiresan francisco, californiaskyscraperfire enginesurvivaldisasterexplosiontragic eventtrappedelevatordisaster moviefirefighterworld's tallest buildingtrapped in burning building