The Towering Inferno Review - Off The Shelf Reviews

This week Gary, Iain and Linda review and discuss, The Towering Inferno (1974) by Director, John Guillermin. Starring, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and William Holden.
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[@robertheath3064]

I love it, how Paul Newman snips the wires and doesn’t give it back to the fire fighter. He just throws it to the floor.

[@Jarodjackson1998]

Firefighter here, the aiming for the ceiling is sometimes meant to keep the fire from auto extending to the next floor, or in situations where there is no vent you can start high on the fire to properly cool the heat layers, that way when you hit the base of the fire you don't upset the heat layers, create a bunch of steam, and get burned

[@531katie]

Thank you 🙏🏼 for explaining that …and for your brave service. (in reverse order)

[@531katie]

🙏🏼. It’s impossible to finish a serious thought with these 3 reviewers in the background ..making me laugh Oh God … (YES!! A closed off room full of aerosol paint cans directly the electrical controls floor with the dry rags ….). I knew the film wasn’t so cheesy as not to have researched the serious part … dedicated to ❤️…to have water-hoses aiming for ceiling if there wasn’t a reason (and being told to I think ‘Keep it up’. Aren’t those the Chief’s instructions too ?) THANK you for explaining that it’s not all 70’s (silly now impressed me so much then. On big screen I was on the edge of my seat 2 hours…? ) but unlike now 70’s didn’t have computerized technology-all the options that makes some of this stuff look ridiculous now like only land phones …(cellular service didn’t exist either).. …all of this ALL of it had to be done by human beings. Yes the 3 women in cocktail dresses screeching on the roof. They should have gone last no matter whose escape plan they used… or at which time This had a 2-hour ending. And son-in-law’s eventual act of 2nd degree murder …on 3 counts …a little over the top…

[@531katie]

🙏🏼. It’s impossible to finish a serious thought with these 3 reviewers in the background ..making me laugh Oh God … (YES!! A closed off room full of aerosol paint cans directly the electrical controls floor with the dry rags ….). I knew the film wasn’t so cheesy as not to have researched the serious part … dedicated to ❤️…to have water-hoses aiming for ceiling if there wasn’t a reason (and being told to I think ‘Keep it up’. Aren’t those the Chief’s instructions too ?) THANK you for explaining that it’s not all 70’s (silly now impressed me so much then. On big screen I was on the edge of my seat 2 hours…? ) but unlike now 70’s didn’t have computerized technology-all the options that makes some of this stuff look ridiculous now like only land phones …(cellular service didn’t exist either).. …all of this ALL of it had to be done by human beings. Yes the 3 women in cocktail dresses screeching on the roof. They should have gone last no matter whose escape plan they used… or at which time This had a 2-hour ending. And son-in-law’s eventual act of 2nd degree murder …on 3 counts …a little over the top…

[@Monkismo]

Thank you for your service, and I'm not being sarcastic.

[@robertheath3064]

This movie premiered on my mothers birthday December 15, 1974. We went to see it as a family.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

This is one of those classic films that shouldn't be remade, because they got it right the first time.

[@TheSchaef47]

*cough* Poseidon

[@nigelmurphy6761]

Definitely. Leave it alone.

[@collegeman1988]

The Towering Inferno was a disaster movie of the 1970s, but the remake which everyone saw on September 11, 2001 was much more realistic and scarier. Even Irwin Allen could not have imagined such a horrible catastrophe.

[@evertonporter7887]

@@collegeman1988 Don't forget the Grenfell Tower fire here in the UK, in 2017. RIP to the 72 who perished in that disaster.

[@jamestoner3900]

i'm for a remake

[@robertheath3064]

If you look careful, the stunt woman goes out in a protective suit, so it was protective pants but when she throws the chair out the window, you see it ricochet back on the inflatable airbag they didn’t catch that as a blooper

[@gina7288]

That scene always makes me cringe it looks like her pantyhose were on fire as she fell I always remember it from watching it as a young girl and I had similar pantyhose on to her.

[@RobertBeatty]

Fantastic conversation and overview of a great movie. I love how you point out all its flaws and then still give it the thumbs up. One thing you didn't mention (or only a little) was how the incredible John Williams music heightens everything. And yeah, that scene with McQueen owning Holden is great. Cheers.

[@booth2710]

OJ Simpson rescuing a cat from a fiery death makes him the biggest hero of the story in my book

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

I always got scared for the cat, then relieved that it got rescued

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

Disaster films were about displaced people, no longer in their societal roles, revealing true character during a crisis. If you just followed the firefighters, who sign on to rescue people as a career, it defeats the purpose of seeing Mrs. Mueller go from self-deprecating aging woman, afraid of heights, to a true heroine who sacrifices herself for a child, literally pushing the little girl into career-driven Dunaway’s arms, with only a split second decision - or seeing Astair’s aging playboy con man primping in his prized formal jacket (...an image familiar to old movie fans...), ripping it off himself and using it to put out a man on fire - or all the unexpected pairings like Newman helping a little girl find her bravery by admitting he’s scared, later having that child tell Dunaway, “I won’t cry if you won’t cry.” I agree, Poseidon Adventure is a more focused story - but Towering Inferno was intended to be grander in scope.

[@robertheath3064]

Call the Backdraft when oxygen feed the fire. All of a sudden she broke the window. That’s why it blew her out.

[@DeanStrickson]

I was curious about Jennifer Jones so I read up a bit about her. Oddly enough, she tried to commit suicide in 1966 by jumping off a cliff. The Towering Inferno was her last film. Sadly, her daughter committed suicide two years after this movie. Jones founded a foundation for mental health and education and lived to the ripe old age of 90.

[@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes]

Jennifer's son played the title role in the episode "Charlie X" of Star Trek: TOS

[@FrankNFurter1000]

That line at the end always makes me think about the Grenfell tower. Haunting indeed.

[@kenernestnation]

The abrupt death of Jennifer Jones and that her demise is so briefly acknowledged at the end is what stuck with me as a child. Too real. Shot more like a documentary.

[@robertheath3064]

I just noticed something to fire fighter standing next to Steve McQueen as he waits for Paul Newman to come back on the phone one on the left has number 13 unlucky number 13 the other one has a helmet with 11 they said when they finish production while making this movie it was September 11, 1974

[@DarthBrundleFLY]

Great review as always, saw this when I was 12 back in 74 in the cinema, it actually had an intermission at the stairwell gas explosion, and the soundtrack by John Williams was the 1st vinyl record my parents bought me, love this movie.

[@coliwobbles514]

Same here, I was also 12 and couldn’t wait to see the film at Lewisham Odeon. It’s still one of my favourites and I personally rate the score as one of John Williams finest. I too have the soundtrack. Ironic.

[@mrkipling2201]

@@coliwobbles514 lewisham odeon, I live in Blackheath and I’m not sure when the Odeon was closed down. Any idea when??

[@TheStevoo7]

I still have my vinyl copy , and the LaLaLand cd box set with has the three disaster movies John Williams scored with Earthquake and The Posideon Adventure and The Towering Inferno

[@GopherBaroque61]

I may have missed it, but there's nary a mention of John Williams' outstanding original score. The music during Iain's favourite scene is gripping.

[@collegeman1988]

I don’t think John Williams really got any recognition for music he wrote for movies until Star Wars. That was the most theme driven score since Peter and The Wolf.

[@collegeman1988]

@@martinpascoe5904 true, but beginning with Star Wars, everyone knew who John Williams was.

[@richardconnold5207]

@@collegeman1988 Two Emmys, two Academy Awards, and at least eight Academy Award nominations. That's "recognition" enough.

[@AllenJones-w3p]

The most dramatic music in Williams' score is heard during the scene in which Lorrie(Susan Flannery) and Dan(Robert Wagner) are killed off.

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

Fred Astaire owned that role. Yeah it was a little role him playing an ineffective conman. But he played that role for all it was worth. He made that con-man a sweet bumbling flawed person with a redemption arc. That's hard to do. I think Fred Astaire owned that role. When he confessed to the rich lady he had targeted I cried. It was so sweet. The Fred Astaire arc was one of the best in the whole movie and you guys sat there trashing it saying it was odd. I could not disagree with you lot more. I guess I don't share UK sensibilities. I am just and old thing from across the pond. What the hell do I know? We do NOT agree! You spent so much time tearing down Fred Astaire and his role as the lovable con man that you overlooked that cheap tacky contact paper walled elevator as they rode down from the rooftop helipad. That mod squad contact paper was on sale at every FW Woolworth's in the US for $3.00 and on sale in Woolworth's UK for 1 Pound 50 Pence. A movie about a high rise tower costing millions and dime store vinyl contact paper elevator walls are the best they can do. Some of the building interior shots were cheesey! The Towering Inferno music score was first rate.

[@footy2rock]

The actor that gets killed with the statue falling on him was Gregory Sierra he was in the 1st episode of Miami Vice,as Crocketts boss

[@johnbrennan4449]

also an original cast member of the police sitcom "Barney Miller".

[@mercedyzmarieguion292]

Julio on Sanford and Son Wonderful character actor 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Died a few years ago

[@ScreamingScallop]

Irwin Allen produced "The Poseidon Adventure;" Ronald Neame directed. Incredibly, Irwin Allen and screenwriter Sterling Silliphant tried to *recreate* the Newman/McQueen rivalry in Allen's followup dud, "The Swarm;" in early drafts of the script the role that ultimately went to Michael Caine (a role, by the way, that is nowhere to be found in the source novel) was clearly tailored for Newman. The character would have spent the first two-thirds of the film butting heads with Richard Widmark's General Slater (a character that only appears in a few pages towards the end of the novel) and then they would work together to triumph over their foes in the final act. The final script only allows for some begrudging respect between preposterous shouting matches before the bees wipe out almost all of the remaining cast--including certain individuals who refuse to save themselves simply because they are of no further use to the story such as it is. Oh my lord it's a terrible movie and I would love it if you guys tackled it.

[@shallendor]

I remember this being on tv at least once a year when i was a kid in the 70's. Same with The Poseidon Adventure and Avalanche, but the you only had CBS, ABC, NBC and PBS on the tv back then!

[@travellingshoes5241]

I swear it used to be on all the time in the 90's.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

@@travellingshoes5241 TNT used to show it at least three times a month back then.

[@waverleyjournalise5757]

One of the biggest things that bugs me is that there are THREE tracks for THREE scenic elevators but only one is ever shown...

[@dj45rpm]

Not that it singlehandedly caused his condition, but knowiing that Steve McQueen had asbestos-caused cancer when he died (of a heart attack) makes me cringe whenever I see him wearing the asbestos suit in this film.

[@BanalayerPete1972]

That was a fun watch. As a Moonraker (Wiltshire person), I found this trio's accents familiar. Health & Safety laws WERE very different in the '70s. At my middle-school, there was a fire in the basement. As the fire station was 5 miles away, we pupils fought the fire in the interim! It was extremely hot and smoky, though it was confined to one room. That was in summer '72 or '73, so not long before this movie.

You are criticizing the lack of logic about safety procedures in the film and yet even today we have Boeing airplanes ground for cutting cost in aircraft safety. It happened then, it happens now.

[@deanwirth3627]

Second only to the Poseidon Adventure. Based on two books the Inferno and the Tower, had two leading men that had a bit of a war going on about who gets top billing and more lines.

[@MadeWithLight]

33:20 Can we just take a moment to appreciate the neat quality work someone put into that wiring

[@TheIndependentLens]

The building had faulty wiring so the fire was breaking out on multiple levels as the movie goes on. I think that’s how it goes to lower floors. Also, the balcony in the office doesn’t collapse and then reappear. Robert Wagner’s character falls through that one section. That section is still broken out later.

[@AubreyTheKing]

This movie looks fun to watch! Great review again you guys! And good job inviting Linda! :)

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

Inspired choice. My favourite scenes, cat rescue, of course, plus Steve McQueen saving the fireman on the scenic elevator, seems really realistic, the sheer strain on his face as he hangs on (that and the same fireman snatching the little girl from Jennifer Jones' arms as she falls are real heart in the mouth moments). The bit I really like though is the Mayor and his wife worrying not for themselves but their teenage daughter who is at home and will be worrying about them (he dies, she survives to go home to her). It's so oddly touching, both the politicians in this film are actually positively portrayed which must be a rarity. Fun fact, author Roderick Thorpe watched this film then had a nightmare where he was being chased across the top of a skyscraper by gunmen. Inspired he went away and wrote his novel 'Nothing Lasts Forever', later adapted for the screen as 'Die Hard'...

[@annescholey6546]

And when everyone realises there's a watery hell to endure before the night's over.

[@macy-gu6vl]

Robert Vaughn one of my favorite actors but he only has a small part.

[@AllenJones-w3p]

True enough, but this is a disaster film with a truly all-star cast.

[@bbrant5925]

Fun Fact: O.J Simpson disappeared during the movie because he had to go back to football camp.

[@chriseisenecker8322]

Firefighter here also……we get issued C4…😂😂😂😂. Yes!

[@jackvornberg8076]

I have always contended that it was a mistake for Paul Newman to send those women down in the scenic elevator. I think that was a move where he should have consulted with the fire dept and asked permission. Secondly, we should have gotten some kind of response from Newman when he heard the elevator was blown off it's track.

[@jaymanuel3396]

The idea of those type of elevators on the OUTSIDE, of a building that tall, was insane. Would that have even been allowed?

[@christorb]

Guys you're gonna have to re-record the intro - doesn't feel right Iain not starting off the synopsis with "well the story follows"!!

[@Tony-rn5fm]

the lobby area of the tower is an actual building in san francisco

[@flleathercop]

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

[@Solitude47152]

50th Anniversary in 2024. Timeless 🎥 movie.

[@johnbrennan4449]

not until December.

[@lynnemusso9362]

I went to this movie with my boyfriend when it first came out. I lost my virginity that night......talk about ironic!

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Great review guys. Mega film, full of even bigger actors. Love it even now , me and my brother actually wore the film off the vhs tape back in the 80s ,my brother could recite the words when ever you stopped it, he was a massive Paul Newman fan back then, must of seen it 200 time, every day after school he played it lol.

[@HigHrvatski]

Hello from Croatia,it's 8:32 A.M. and this is my first KZbin video of the day.

[@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes]

They have burning buildings Croatia?

[@AarenJable]

I've never seen this, thanks guys, and it's nice to see Linda back!

[@TJ.Turner]

Wow if you guys liked this, then you should review The Cassandra Crossing, with Martin Sheen, Richard Harris and OJ Simpson.

[@b.victoradams9346]

My favorite since childhood. And I love the Jerry Goldsmith score. I think I'll watch it later.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

That's an interesting film

[@donna25871]

This one and Poseidon Adventure are my favourite disaster films from the 70’s. Although it’s a little sexist at the beginning (the first scene between Paul Newman and Faye Dunaway) - do architects still have bedrooms next to their main office. Although Robert Wagner’s character isn’t married - the reason they kept it hidden was a class thing.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

If there were a Mrs. Bigelow, wouldn't she have been there at the Glass Tower to attend the party with him?

[@Drknnja]

Reminds me of the line in Just Cause " Executive fu*k chamber"

[@miz_logo_lee]

Fun fact: the building in the painting over Jennifer Jones’ shoulder at 9:52 is Columbus Tower, home of American Zoetrope (Francis Ford Coppola’s production company).

[@miz_logo_lee]

Another fun fact is that not only did they bring on actual firefighters, they seemingly brought on actual local news cameramen. You can see Channel 4 (then NBC) behind the mayor’s wife 10:59 and in a scene before you can see a KQED Channel 9 (PBS) camera too.

[@Truthseeker1515]

That flick was on TV in the UK so many times during the 80s but then we only had 4 channels.....also massive on VHS rental.

[@booth2710]

lots a of gory scenes are cut out when it airs on tv

[@johnashley327]

Finally I've never clicked so fast. Remember seeing this when I was 8.

[@Mama-Dee1969]

I was 5 in theater at the time ....

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

My mum took me to the cinema to see this then I went back at least 4 more times that week to see it again (1974/5 I was 11/12)....My favourite desaster movie of all time........

[@jorel4477]

Such a great review. Really enjoy both your opinions on films. So glad I found this channel. Well done guys (and wife)

[@TheSchaef47]

37:34 not everybody ends up falling. Richard Chamberlain *literally kicked one of the dudes* a quarter of a mile to his death! You can see it in the clip you used. That is the worst human being on the planet. Especially about 20 second later when he was very much *on* the planet.

[@4833-o1b]

Good work boys. Keep'em coming and we'll keep enjoying them.

[@macy-gu6vl]

Saw it on the big screen when it came out. The helicopter ride at the beginning is fantastic.

[@bandfromtheband9445]

Great synopsis and review and you 3 are the funniest for a film like this one. This was one of my favorites as a young kid/teenager and you all nail it perfectly!

[@ryancoulter4797]

Also love the SCTV parody where they’re having a party at the top of Melonvilles biggest skyscraper. It’s so high up and the top floors are 20’ square and the tv studio just below is trying to film a cattle stampede with live cattle.

[@Truthseeker1515]

During the 80s, this was on TV so many times in the UK (Christmas but also Easter), parents rented heavily on VHS home video...with hindsight, 3h is far too long though.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

It still gets put on fairly frequently, although as they put it on during the day, much of it gets cut out

[@pekkaollila8505]

Steve McQueen got the longer stick. He didn't sign two picture deal with Irwin Allen like Newman and Holden did. Thus didn't have to appear in When time ran out.

[@JohnBlack2345]

Steve McQueen was asked to return in The Towering Inferno 2. not only did he turn it down, he passed away after talk began of a sequel. it killed the series.

[@camerachica73]

The Towering Inferno is the only film I can think of that I could bear to watch from beginning to end without getting distracted from aged 7 to now. I hope they don't remake it as it couldn't be any better.

[@deirdrejones5974]

If this is ever remade and takes place here in SF, it should be the very real eyesore called Salesforce Tower that burns down.

[@jamestoner3900]

One of my favourite films, love the fact Steve McQueen and Paul Newman got along and the fact Warner Brothers and 20th Century came together to make this Movie, I will Admit this movie was ahead of it's time, this is one Movie Classic that i think deserves a remake, now that CGI is a thing

[@rogerlynch5279]

TOWERING INFERNO: Never would have thought this almost forgotten classic out of the catastrphy movie time ( Katastrophen-Film Ära ) on your list. .It was a good one with a fine cast and some actors comming as a surprise to be still around back then. Yes like Fred Astaire but in those days he played in a lot of movies and series.

[@eddiedulko4937]

It was NOT "Jim Duncan" who "cut " some corners. It was "Roger Simmons" (The son in law) who thought he could save $ thousands by installing "subpar" wiring. Which was way sub-standard & not up to spec as requested by "Doug Roberts" who insisted that the wiring be way, way above standard.

[@CarinSomers]

love your funny analysis on this film but there is no logic in all of this in this film, it is just entertainment, watch and enjoy, just like the old horror movies why do people go where the danger is etc.. With all the fire it is amazing no one got injured and the cast got allong well with eachother, they were on set even when they didnt have to be , no star behaviour except from Fay Dunaway , she was always late on set and made de rest of the cast wait ,William Holden made sure that stopped by pinn her down and made clear that behaviour wouldnt be tollorated anymore and from that day on she wasnt late anymore lol.

[@johnmanley7756]

You did my suggestion (finally) lol! Wooohoo. Thanks guys!! I also suggested Salem’s Lot the mini series 😉

[@johnmanley7756]

Ethan Cane just to confirm. That’s the one I mean too 😉

[@trevdaisley3442]

I just suspend belief , love the film, love the song. Wouldn't change a thing!

[@Tony-rn5fm]

all the actors in the party room did their own stunts when they did the water dump and they had i think it was 4 cameras going and it was a 'one and done' stunt

[@travellingshoes5241]

One of my childhood favourites.

[@jonglewongle3438]

Of the two paperbacks from which The Towering Inferno was sprung, I remember having The Tower by Richard Martin Stern. Someone else's purchase, passed around. Glossy color cover, etc. One of those products with which the binding goes over time and its in pieces. Anyway, what I remember of that was some guy eating peanuts in the park and looking up at the tower and philosophically pondering the meaning of the edifice - before the fire and all that.

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

It towers! It, um, inferns! It's the Towering Inferno! Best bit about watching classic disaster movies is playing Disaster Movie bingo and gleefully ticking the tropes off. Favourites are: "We, we didn't listen!" "Wait a minute, what gives you the right to order us around (sneer) MISTER SCIENTIST/FIREMAN/GEOLOGIST." "Don't listen to him! Let's make a panicky break for it!" "They assured me it was unflammable!" "You can't tell them to evacuate, we can't afford a mass panic, plus the BeeGees are on stage at nine." "Only one man can save us now, or possibly two equally paid Hollywood stars." "I retire from the Outey-Putty-Fire job tomorrow!" And so on.

[@zetetick395]

Can't believe you didn't mention that Dan Bigelow (Robert Wagner) - The business guy 26:50 is the same actor that played Number 2 to Dr Evil in Austin Powers 🤣

[@yarsivad000.5]

I'm not into the game reviews and I can't do podcast unless there is video, but I'm glad I found the movie reviews a couple years ago. Looked up reviews on Pet Semetary and these guys popped up. They are the best movie reviews on Internet or anywhere. They really get into their review. They are a great team!

[@yarsivad000.5]

Linda is good, but that one blonde woman with high voice...I can't hear what she is saying...she , the blonde woman needs a hand held microphone.

[@georgie1246]

If I was the fireman going head first down the lift shaft and on fire you would of heard me screaming in Timbuktu.

[@CALLMESIR...]

Earthquake had a few blunders. First off Ava Gardner as Lorne Greens daughter? I mean wtf! Bad special effects using "orange" fake blood. When the elevator crashes cartoon blood shows up on the screen. I still enjoy it because its Irwin and the great cast.

[@skaro85]

My parents always talked about this film but never got round to watching it. It's on my list. Cheers guys great review as always! 😁👊

[@annescholey6546]

The grisly deaths of Dan and Lorrie were so well done it's still shocking stuff today. I used to skip that section to the rescue of the kids. Hold on how does fire go from 81 to 65? Down?

[@Jarodjackson1998]

The fire went down because it followed the wiring of the building

[@ironwoman2012]

I love disaster movies so much 😍 great review guys and I loved seeing Linda again, it's very interesting to rewatch movies from our childhood and see how our perceptions about it change, I used to be absolutely terrified of Terminator 2, I even had very vivid nightmares of the T1000 coming through my door through the keyhole and murdering me... Now it's one of my favorite movies of all time ❤️ Another thing that's interesting is that all the movies that I watched when I was a child were in another language, I still remember the shock of hearing the actor's real voices years later and feeling like my life was a lie 😂

[@PungiFungi]

About the idea of the Susan Flannery character hiding in the bathroom with the shower on... I read somewhere people tried that in a fire but the heat from the flames turned the water scalding hot.

[@franl155]

hell of a choice: roasting or boiling

[@georgie1246]

@@franl155 I think I would of jumped.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

The unsung feline star of The Towering Inferno, Elke the cat!

[@franl155]

Always wondered, how did OJ know to give the cat to Fred? How could he have known that Fred and she were special chums?

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

@@franl155 I know, right? Plot hole!

[@volzman2172]

Steve McQueen is cool. But Paul Newman is on another level. He has 11 Oscar nominations.

[@mikejarrett3431]

There were rumours Steve McQueen was actually jealous of Newman cos Newman was effortlessly cool.

[@rxtsec1]

I just started this video so I'm not sure if you guys mention this but Steve McQueen & paul Newman both wanted top billing. So the agreement was for both of them to put there names on screen together at the same time but both wanted there name on the left. Paul Newman finally agreed to have his name on the right hand side if his name was higher & steve mcqueen was okay with that believing people would see his name first.

[@matthias_samahl1266]

I love the little side plot with Fred Astaire so much! What do you mean Newman was the biggest star? McQueen is the bigger star in my book!

[@ScreamingScallop]

I immediately developed a crush on Jennifer Jones watching this for the first time as a kid, so...yeah, that was a bit of a shock.

[@PastaMusicMusic]

Paul Newman all the way forever

@@ScreamingScallop Watching her character die is torture.

[@franl155]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, thanks very much! I read one of the books this was based on; can't remember which, but the fire was started deliberately. I saw this at the cinema when it first came out in the UK; it was full-sized screen, and I came out shaking, even though they left Paul Newman hanging on the broken stair for twenty minutes while they had an intermission. I read somewhere that they invented split-screen credits for this film, so that Newman and McQueen's names would both appear at the same time, thus giving them equal status. can't remember how they worked out which name would go on which side. "Weakest goes first" - I've read that special forces have this rule, too; the weakest climber goes up last and comes down first, which is logical [and which is why I was surprised in one of the Jurassic Parks that the female was hanging from cable over the cliff above the men; presumably so that they could cushion her fall when she slipped]. With Bigelow, you'd think that the worst idea when trapped by a fire is to let it get thoroughly established before you try to run through it. PS: I took my young-teen brother to watch this: can't remember what rating it had but it was enough for him to see with an adult. When the film got more intense he asked if we could leave, which of course we did. Irrelevant, except that he later applied to become a fireman - he had to try three times to get in, but eventually made it. I'll always wonder how much effect this film had on him.

[@Mama-Dee1969]

Only thing I remember from this when I was 5 was the one person who I think was on fire that went flying out the window...at which point I started screaming and crying because it dawned on me they died. I was so tramatized I still can not watch the movie my "wonderful " also took me to see posiden adventure which led me to never set foot on a ship lol or i saw that first not sure lol was to young either way

[@jonglewongle3438]

I watched the entirety of The Towering Inferno just overnight a few hours ago free-to-air on the internet. I don't know if i should venture to mention the site, but they've got stacks of the pre-post modern classics up.

[@vcv6560]

I first saw this is a child at the drive-in whenever it comes up on TV I'll call my sister and tell her the Towering Inferno is on and find out that she's already watching it too. Of course also have DVD. This was a great exposition I stayed through the full hour it wasn't too long as neither is the movie at 3 hours

[@jorel4477]

Amazing guys, the greatest actors of all time together. McQueen and Newman!

[@ademarlorador7680]

One my favorite disaster movies from my childhood the special and practical effects are well done Paul Newman and Steve mcqueen are great i dont want a remake of this movie it would suck green screen computer generated fire dont touch the classics continue your good work

[@ChicaLocaGB]

Brill review, love the film. There was a lot great trivia and I'd like to add my little bit which I don't think was mentioned (sorry if it was): I believe this was the first film to use diagonal billing due to the ego of Steve McQueen who wanted his name to appear first on the title credits. To sate both actors the credits had Steve McQeen's and Paul Newman's names appear together but SM's is on the left and lower, and PN's is on the right but higher. That's equality :)

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

135 floors, not 138

[@andrewwblanchard6037]

THE ROCK was in the remake of THE TOWERING INFERNO titled SKYSCRAPER

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

Skyscraper is sort of Die Hard-meets-The Towering Inferno. They should've just remade Towering Inferno with The Rock in the Paul Newman role.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Part of the reason the film was so good was all the big stars who were in it.

[@robertheath2096]

My family and I saw the movie on my mom's birthday when it came out in 74

[@Drknnja]

There was a Korean remake called the tower. In 2008

[@jaymanuel3396]

It was awful.

[@SteffiReitsch]

Steve didn't age as gracefully as Paul. This was 1974. Steve McQueen was 44 y.o. then and looks older. Paul Newman was 49 and looks younger. Steve only lived to be 50, 1930- 1980 ; Paul lived to be 83, 1925- 2008. Paul lived 33 years longer than Steve. They were both smokers. Steve died from lung cancer. Paul quit smoking in 1986 at age 61. As for William Holden 1918- 1981, he died at age 63, in November 1981, one year after Steve. He was 63 and looked about 80. William Holden was a smoker and a drunkard. While staggering around drunk in his Santa Monica apartment he fell, bashed his head on a bedside table and died on the floor. Holden's body wasn't found until four days later. Steve and Bill's ashes were scattered into the Pacific ocean. Paul's ashes are retained by his family. Just saying. Muhahahahah. The grim reaper will get you too. .

[@kylecurry577]

A good 70s disaster movie. Only The Poseidon Adventure was better but still pretty good not bad practical effects decent acting schlocky fun ! Please continue your tour of 70s disaster movie!

[@andrewwblanchard6037]

THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS MOVIE

[@robertheath3064]

Irwin Allen was also the Director of the swarm 1978

[@jantyszka1036]

How unlucky do you have to be - building a skyscraper in *San Francisco* which is destroyed by fire?

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Looking forward to this one.

[@pypeworld]

Another great review guys, you should consider reviewing Cool Hand Luke, it's my favorite Paul Newman flick.

[@Monkismo]

Loved hearing Ian quote a Smith's song. :-)

[@violinmerchant]

If only I had been the screenwriter, and could have made Steve McQueen grandstand about there not being enough lifeboats for everyone in the skyscraper.

[@btdg7282]

Hey, i loved watching your video! Thanks! This is one of my all-time favorite movies!

[@eddieq2189]

This was the first big hit movie i ever saw that had many of my favorite actors in this movie well written good action drama and good actors playing good characters 🙂👍❤

[@silverscreenreviews8521]

The glass with Robert Wagner hasn’t repaired guys (trust me I always checked that part haha)