The Towering Inferno
At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.
Critics Sentiment
Explosion throws Lisolette from scenic elevator to her death
Electrical short circuits start fires in storage and utility rooms
The film jumps from its lowest point during early technical exposition to spectacular practical effects sequences that critics universally praised.
The Towering Inferno starts slowly with necessary but tedious setup before building to spectacular disaster sequences that critics consistently praised for their practical effects and genuine suspense. The film peaks with its most dramatic rescue sequences and tragic character deaths, maintaining strong audience engagement through impressive action set pieces. Critics appreciated the film as the pinnacle of 1970s disaster movies despite some formulaic elements.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 43
Steve McQueen
Chief O'Hallorhan
Paul Newman
Doug Roberts
William Holden
Jim Duncan
Faye Dunaway
Susan
Fred Astaire
Harlee Claiborne
Susan Blakely
Patty
Richard Chamberlain
Simmons
Jennifer Jones
Lisolette
O. J. Simpson
Jernigan
Robert Vaughn
Senator Parker
Robert Wagner
Bigelow
Susan Flannery
Lorrie
Sheila Allen
Paula Ramsay
Norman Burton
Giddings
Jack Collins
Mayor Ramsay
Don Gordon
Kappy
Felton Perry
Scott
Gregory Sierra
Carlos
Ernie F. Orsatti
Mark Powers
Dabney Coleman
Deputy Chief #1
Crew
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