Just saw it in 2019 and for a 1974 film this was one excellent epic disaster movie. There were intense scenes and having Hollywood heavyweights of the time in the cast didn't hurt either.
With Steve McQueen as the Fire Chief, he had me convinced that he could be a fire chief for all I know. He knew what he was doing and saying. His performance was so on-point with intensity with all the last minute decisions that I would glad if McQueen were to come and rescue me out of a burning building.
And Paul Newman as the tower's architect saying all those civil engineering jargons also had me convinced that he could have been an actual architect for all I know.
Having seen the list for the Oscars, I'd say they pretty much deserved either way; be they awarded or nominated. Although, I do have to disagree that Fred Astaire didn't really deserve his nomination. I mean I can certainly understand that he was, after all, "Fred Astaire". But his role was so minute that it could have been forgotten. It'd be better off for either McQueen or Newman to get that nomination.
And with a minimalist score by John Williams the film still worked just as well with and without any music; which I was surprised that it was done by THE John Williams. For a 1974 film, the score had that more modern sound to it. The score sounded as if it was made for a 90s film.
Overall, it was a satisfying movie for a three-hour epic that felt very modern for its time. It could be easily rivalled by James Cameron's "Titanic". A common ground for both movies I must say they're cautionary tales about what happened when arrogance and vanity rule logic and common sense.
With Steve McQueen as the Fire Chief, he had me convinced that he could be a fire chief for all I know. He knew what he was doing and saying. His performance was so on-point with intensity with all the last minute decisions that I would glad if McQueen were to come and rescue me out of a burning building.
And Paul Newman as the tower's architect saying all those civil engineering jargons also had me convinced that he could have been an actual architect for all I know.
Having seen the list for the Oscars, I'd say they pretty much deserved either way; be they awarded or nominated. Although, I do have to disagree that Fred Astaire didn't really deserve his nomination. I mean I can certainly understand that he was, after all, "Fred Astaire". But his role was so minute that it could have been forgotten. It'd be better off for either McQueen or Newman to get that nomination.
And with a minimalist score by John Williams the film still worked just as well with and without any music; which I was surprised that it was done by THE John Williams. For a 1974 film, the score had that more modern sound to it. The score sounded as if it was made for a 90s film.
Overall, it was a satisfying movie for a three-hour epic that felt very modern for its time. It could be easily rivalled by James Cameron's "Titanic". A common ground for both movies I must say they're cautionary tales about what happened when arrogance and vanity rule logic and common sense.