Earthquake (1974)

"The Oscar-winning visual effects still impress 25 years on...  BBC Film Review

Editor's Note This essential 1970s disaster epic, with a script co-authored by Mario Puzo (THE GODFATHER), centers around a devastating earthquake in Los Angeles and the shocking aftermath it causes. The all-star cast is led by Charleton Heston as a construction engineer whose marital problems supply him with plentiful stress before the quake even hits. The film was presented theatrically with a sound process known as "Sensurround," which caused cinemas to physically vibrate during quake sequences.

	Ava Gardner
	Charlton Heston
	Lorne Greene
	Walter Matthau
	Alexander Golitzen - Production Designer
	Burton Miller - Costume Designer
	Dorothy Spencer - Editor
	Jennings Lang - Executive Producer
	John Williams - Original Music By
	Mark Robson - Director
	Mark Robson - Producer
	Philip Lathrop - Cinematographer

The lives of several Angelenos are shaken up when the Big One hits Los Angeles. Heading the gigantic, star-studded cast is Charlton Heston as an adulterous engineer and Ava Gardner as his jealous wife. Other characters include an Evel Knievel-like daredevil, a psychotic grocery store manager, and a hot-tempered cop -- all of whom respond to the disaster in a variety of ways, ranging from heroic to deranged.

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"I know you'll laugh, but ---- I think we're going to have a really big quake."

Entertainment Weekly
"They really don't make 'em like this anymore." -- Rating: B 09/09/1994 p.90

Entertainment Weekly
"There wasn't a boy in the 1970s who didn't get all giddy over this pleasing and plot-light demolition derby..." 06/04/2004 p.35

BBC 8 of 10
But however interesting the players are, the audience is only there to see maximum mayhem and on that score "Earthquake" really delivers. The Oscar-winning visual effects still impress 25 years on and the specially developed 'Sensurround' works a real treat on a home cinema system. - Almar Haflidason