Search - The Towering Inferno [Special Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1974 DVD Release: 05/09/2006 Format: DVD - Color,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 2 hrs 44 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Action, Disaster Film, Ensemble Film See Also: The Towering Inferno, The Towering Inferno [Blu-ray]

A skyscraper and an all-star cast go up in flames in Irwin Allen's classic disaster movie. To celebrate the construction of the Glass Tower, the world's tallest building, architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and builder James Duncan (William Holden) hold a gala bash on the highest floors. Trouble is, Duncan's son-in-law and electrical subcontractor Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain) installed faulty wiring throughout the 138-story behemoth to save money. While the guests -- including Doug's lady friend (Faye Dunaway), a rich widow (Jennifer Jones), a con man (Fred Astaire), and a politico (Robert Vaughn) -- enjoy the party, and a security guard (O.J. Simpson) wonders why his equipment is on the fritz, a burnt-out circuit breaker ignites some garbage on the 85th floor, swiftly turning the high-rise into, well, a towering inferno. With the guests trapped on the 135th floor, it's up to Roberts and Fire Chief O'Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) to find a way to stop the blaze. Though not the first all-star '70s disaster movie (1970's Airport and 1972's The Poseidon Adventure preceded it), The Towering Inferno was the most popular and the most spectacular. In a move that would become more common in late-'90s blockbuster Hollywood, The Towering Inferno's mammoth production was mounted by two studios; screenwriter Stirling Silliphant combined the two novels owned by the studios into one saga. 1970s "shake 'n bake" maestro Allen, with co-director John Guillermin (Allen did the action sequences), tapped into deep fears about the fragility of modern life in the face of extreme natural phenomena, as well as into the envies and insecurities of middle-aged professional men. The Towering Inferno packed theaters and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture; it won for Cinematography, Editing, and Song. While its heroic, no-nonsense men provided some traditional comfort, The Towering Inferno still might provoke second thoughts about going into a skyscraper. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Steve McQueen - Fire Chief Michael O'Hallorhan
Paul Newman - Doug Roberts
William Holden - James Duncan
Faye Dunaway - Susan
Fred Astaire - Harlee Claiborne
Richard Chamberlain - Simmons
Carlena Gower - Albright Children
Carol McEvoy - Mrs. Albright

With this two-disc set, Fox has created a special edition of The Towering Inferno that is equal to their stellar work on their two-disc special edition of The Poseidon Adventure. The anamorphic, letterboxed image transfer is excellent, capturing the film's distinctive blend of nocturnal shadows and bright flames with clarity and eye-popping color. Both 4.0 and 2.0 Dolby Stereo mixes are provided and each offers a robust, well-mixed soundscape for the viewing experience. Also included on the first disc is a pair of commentaries. The first is a feature-length track helmed by film critic F.X. Feeney; despite the film's daunting length, Feeney offers a nonstop barrage of fascinating comments that cover everything from behind-the-scenes detail to the critical analysis of the filmmakers' visual choices. The second track is a scene-specific affair helmed by FX man Mike Vezina and stunt coordinator Branko Racki; both offer their thoughts on the technical aspects of the film's impressive effects and stunt set pieces. It isn't as entertaining as the Feeney track but is worthwhile for those interested in the nuts-and-bolts aspects of doing such scenes.

Disc two is entirely devoted to extras. An episode of AMC Backstory devoted to The Towering Inferno kicks things off and does a solid job of telling the story behind the film in just over 20 minutes. More detail is provided via a series of newer featurettes that focus on different aspects of the film; highlights include a segment on the effects and photography techniques used to create the illusion of a giant glass tower and a segment on how the many fire-oriented stunts were choreographed. Elsewhere, there is a collection of vintage promotional shorts, including a funny piece done for the National Association of Theater Owners by Irwin Allen himself and a 1977 interview with Allen. Fans will also be interested to see 30 extended and deleted scenes used in the TV version of The Towering Inferno on this disc; they are presented full-frame and it's obvious why most were cut, but fans who grew up on the TV version will be glad to have them. Rounding out the second disc are a trio of articles written for American Cinematographer, a comprehensive collection of still and art galleries, trailers, and a set of storyboard-to-scene comparisons. As if that all wasn't enough, the physical packaging of the disc throws in a set of postcard-sized still reproductions and a miniature reprinting of the film's press book! In short, this is a staggering package for fans of The Towering Inferno and offers plenty of bang for the buck, just like the film it contains. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide