1.5/4  Disaster movie with great cast but poor script
I really did not much care for this film, I really find it annoying that this cast could not have been in a better film. It is a standard disaster movie just more fire more explosions and people trying to survive in different situations. T... (read full)

2.5/4  The Towering Inferno Quick Review
Good old Irwin Allen - father of the disaster film (for better or worse). Sure, this is cheesy, but it's also pretty fun - like all disaster movies should be.

2.5/4  The Towering Inferno Quick Review
I really like Faye Dunaway so I saw this one. It's okay but never really does anything that I haven't seen before.

3/5 Something missing
  by D. E. FOREMAN (NJ)
A few years back I saw a HD broadcast of " The Towering Inferno " on my then less than perfect projection TV and it looked great. So when I heard this was coming out I was really pumped. While it looks very good , it still did not stand up to the broadcast HD version I saw. I tell everyone who has Blu-Ray, REVIEW YOUR MOVIE BEFORE YOU BUY!! Just cause it's on blu-ray does not mean it's been remastered and will look amazing. Take heed, cause this is one time I did not review this it was a bit disappointing to say the least.

4/5 Great Disaster Epoch
  by Johnoconnor (Wallingford CT USA)
Produced before the fall of the twin towers, this film depicted the concerns of everyone who has ever gone into a skyscraper. What would happen if it ever caught fire and I was up here. Extremely well done for its time, it still must be the measure for every disaster movie since. With three film stalwarts including Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and William Holden turning in fine performances and very good pre digitized special effects, this movie is still top notch entertainment, especially in the Blu Ray format.

3/5 Suitable for children?
  by D. Nuce (Chihuahua, Mexico)
I am a seventeen year old movie buff and am writing a series of reviews on films from the late fifties on so that parents can know what content issues may arise from these films. The sixties and seventies were known for pushing the content envelope to new levels and despite the common "if it's old it's ok for kids," statement, there are many films during this period that are not suitable for children.
After the review, I have also included my personal opinions on whether or not a film is suitable for children and whether or not the film is worth watching. Please do not be offended by my reviews because they are just stating the facts. I am trying to be as un-biased as possible.

Towering Disaster
Summary
An architect (Paul Newman), a firefighter (Steve McQueen), a wealthy businessman (William Holden), a con artist (Fred Estaire), a security guard (O.J. Sympson before the scandal), and other guests are trapped at the top of a burning sky-scraper, the tallest in the world. Will they survive?
Violence
As one would expect in a movie about fire, people get burned... many times. We see people on fire screaming, blackened and sizzling heads are normal occurrences here, as are explosions, falls, and even drowning. There is no sadism here, but it's still intense.
Sexual Content
Newman and Dunaway are engaged to be married, but it is made obvious that they have not been exactly... chaste. We see them start kissing and undressing. Later we see them lying on top of a bed together. Newman is shirtless and Dunaway is showing off most of her legs, but other than that, they are fully clothed. Later, Wagner conducts a similar affair with his secretary (we see her in a long shirt with underwear for one fairly brief scene). Otherwise, party dresses are not always modest and oftentimes reveal fair amounts of cleavage.

Language
Strong for a PG film. S-words and uses of Jesus' name are commonplace. D-words and h-words are also frequently used. Approximately sixty profanities.

The Towering Inferno (1974) was Irwin Allen's dream project. After the major success of The Poseidon Adventure in 1972, Allen had studio exec's hunting him down for movie projects. He hunted down major stars Steve McQueen (The Great Escape), Paul Newman (The Sting), William Holden (Network) and Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde). Fred Estaire was nominated for an Oscar and Jennifer Jones returned to film for the first time in years.
The film was a huge success with three academy award wins and easily earned back the 14 million dollars that Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. put into it. Viewed now in days, after the disaster genre fizzled in the late seventies, one wonders whether the film is just nostalgic, not as good as people make it seem.
The answer is yes. The plot is reminiscent of soap operas and the acting is wooden and uninspiring. Still, the special effects are amazing, and there is always the knowledge that they do not make movies like this anymore. Kids will probably not be a good audience for this film because of the scary nature of the violence, constant bursts of profanity, and mild adult themes, but teens may find it very entertaining, that is if you can get them to sit for the two and a half hours it takes to watch this movie.


5/5 TOWERING INFERNO
  by Thomas R. Garcia
I SAW THIS MOVIE AS A TEENAGER WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT ON THE BIG SCREEN. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY SON, AND HE ENJOYED IT. THIS MOVIE STILL HOLDS UP,AND THE PRICE WAS RIGHT.

5/5 Classic Action Film-Stunning Blu-Ray Disc.
  by Chris P. Decostanza
When i bought my blu-ray player and high def t.v. there were a number of titles
in my dvd collection that were prime candidates for getting the blu-ray treatment.
THE TOWERING INFERNO was at the top of the list and i'm happy to report they did
a stellar job.

For instance little bits of dialogue never understood before are now clearly
audible. In addition the intricate design/pattern of many of the costumes are
now eye poppingly clear.

If i had to choose one scene that shows off the blue ray transfer best its the
scene where Paul Newman, Jennifer Jones and the two kids take turns climbing
down the busted staircase railing. a total audio/visual experience. For instance
water from a pipe busted in the explosion is raining down on them and the nearby
exposed brick wall. The sound of the water is sooooooooooo realistically clear
and sharp you'll check to see if its raining in your living room.

If you like classic action flicks on blu-ray this an absolute must for your
collection.