Irwin Allen's - The Towering Inferno - Paul Newman Steve McQueen Irwin Allen The Towering Inferno Newman McQueen

directed by John Guillermin + Irwin Allen
USA 1974

Hot off the heels of the success of "The Poseidon Adventure," producer Irwin Allen chose to follow up that seaworthy disaster epic with yet another excursion in peril: "The Towering Inferno," which went on to become an even bigger box office success than its predecessor, and remains to this day one of the most suspenseful and potent thrillers ever to come from a Hollywood studio. Much like the circumstances surrounding the Titanic disaster, those which enshroud the sudden and deadly fire that engulfs the newly-built Glass Tower in San Francisco stem from one thing: human arrogance. The building's owner (William Holden) is convinced that nothing can bring his structure to its knees, despite the knowledge that his son-in-law (Richard Chamberlain) was behind the decision to use faulty electrical wiring. Even with the warnings of the tower's chief architect (Paul Newman), who takes every opportunity to advise against holding off the dedication ceremony until a later date, the gala still goes on as planned, resulting in the entrapment of hundreds of people 135 stories up, with the flames chewing up their precious little time for a rescue effort.

Excerpt from David Litton's review at MovieEye located HERE

Theatrical Release: December 10th, 1974

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DVD Comparison:

20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC

(20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

Distribution

20th Century Fox

Region 1 - NTSC

20th Century Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc)

Region 1 - NTSC

70's Disaster Flicks Invasion

Runtime

2:44:40

Video

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.16 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.4 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate : Fox - original release

Bitrate: Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc)

Audio

English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)

English (Dolby Digital 4.0), English (Dolby Digital Surround), DUB: Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)

Subtitles

English, Spanish, None

English (HoH), Spanish, None

Features

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailer (2:10 / 4:3)

• Cast Bios

DVD Release Date: April 15th, 1999
Keep case

Chapters 29

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
Disk 1:
• Commentaries by F.X. Feeney, film historian, and scene-specific

• Commentary by: Mike Venzina - Special Effects Director and Branko Racki - Stunt Coordinator.
Disc 2:
• Featurettes: Inside the Tower: We Remember / Innovating Tower: The SPFX of An Inferno / The Art of Towering / Irwin Allen: The Great Producer / Directing the Inferno / Putting Out Fire / Running On Fire / Still The Worlds Tallest Building / The Heart of Disaster: Stirling Silliphant
• AMC Backstory: The Towering Inferno
• Extended & Deleted Scenes:
Alternate opening sequence / Harlee meets up with Lisolette and the kids / Air ducts / Close up of Harry on the Phone / Extended scene with Doug and Susan / The jeweler delivers the golden scissors as Dan Bigelow argues with his staff / James and Dan discuss the party / Harlee and Lisolette / James and Susan discuss San Francisco / The Mayor addresses the crowd / James discusses the elevators with the Mayor and Senator Gary Parker / James and Senator Parker in the elevator / The party's entertainer / Firemen / Susan and Patty discuss their significant others / The electrical system / Emergency vehicles on the scene / Waiting for the elevator / Four alarm fire / Trailers

DVD Release Date: May 9th, 2006
Double Slim Keep Case

Chapters 32

Comments

Quite an extravagant difference from the old Fox release of this blockbuster disaster epic to the new Special Edition. We don't need to belabor the original's obvious weaknesses - it is non-anamorphic - with a black border around the entire frame limiting its already minimal resolution - colors are drastically manipulated and the image is very dull and hazy next to the new release - its is also cropped. In fact this is one of the most extreme differences I have seen in a long while. I bought the original at Walmart from a 'bargain bin' for about $4. Nuff' said on the image front.

It seems it is feast or famine with Fox as the new SE is beyond loaded - it is spilling over with extras - from commentaries to more featurettes and deleted/extended scenes than anyone might care to indulge. Personally I'd say 'quite the overkill' - I am a DVD reviewer and I had to stop before completing all of the supplements - too much! Bumps in audio and everything else make this an amazing package (yes, why can't they do same with better films?!?!). Anyway, for the price this new SE almost feels like stealing.

The film's massive star appeal (Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner etc.) and, like all the Allen disaster epics, produces an unique appeal. Certainly the term 'popcorn flic' might be appropriate to describe any viewing interest. Save this for a late Friday night or wet Sunday afternoon - it has obtained a kind of nostalgic charm. I quite enjoyed it after so many years.

- Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

(20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox (Special Edition - 2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

Disc 2 of the SE

Screen Captures

NOTE: the SE captures have been reduced to 800 pixels wide from their native resolution