One Tiny Spark Becomes a Night of Blazing Suspense

Starring: Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O. J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Now you know there's no sure way for us to fight a fire in anything over the 7th floor. But you guys just keep building them as high as you can." - Chief O'Hallorhan

Why watch this? This is a harrowing flick, chock full of both terrible and heroic moments.

Plot Summary: Set in San Francisco, the film depicts a catastrophic fire erupting in the world's tallest skyscraper during its grand opening celebration. The architect and a fire chief lead efforts to rescue the trapped partygoers, facing immense challenges as the blaze intensifies. The disaster is ultimately attributed to cost-cutting measures by the building's contractor, highlighting themes of corporate greed and heroism in the face of peril.

Dad's Preview: 70's disaster films usually featured current hot actors (Newman, McQueen, and Dunaway), and a large supporting cast of aging stars (many of whom will courageously succumb one at a time for dramatic effect). Here a skyscraper is burning. As the flames grow and move upward, the situation gets more grim. There are some thrilling sequences as firemen battle the blaze, and a daring rescue takes place. The ever cool Steve McQueen steals the film as the stern, determined Fire Chief O'Hallorhan.

Warner Bros., Irwin Allen Productions; 20th Century Fox