VHS COVER/SIDE
Length of film: 165 Minutes
Rated: PG Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Director: John Guillermin
Starring: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Robert Vaughn
IMDB Rank: 6.9/10
Part 1 Time: 73 Minutes
Part 2 Time: 92 Minutes
Where does the first part end? Chief Security Officer Harry Jernigan grabs the Allbright kitten.
Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Say kitty, I almost missed you.” Jernigan states to the kitten.
First line of dialogue on the second part: Doug Roberts leads the Allbright family down the stairwell. Phillip Allbright yells in pain “ow!” after touching the wall.
How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, the fire continues within the Glass Tower, a 1,800 feet high skyscraper. The LAFD respond, but at 81 floors above ground level are challenged to put the fire out. Will the fire be put under control?
***Upon its release this fast based non stop action film did not have an official Hollywood intermission, which makes it difficult to determine an appropriate break. The break in the film was determined prior to the major action plot points, which we suggest should not be broken up.
Which part is better? Part one gives background details of the Glass Tower, the introduction of primary characters, and the beginning of the fire. The second part shows the strength of fire and the helplessness of those surrounded by it. Due to the edge of your seat action part two is given the edge.
Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Music-Original Score, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Fred Astaire), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Music- Original Dramatic Score (Nominated).
THEATRICAL POSTER
Hollywood Half-Time 