Watch Earthquake

Earthquake is a 1974 disaster film directed by Mark Robson, starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and George Kennedy. The movie had a star-studded cast that also included Lorne Greene, Genevieve Bujold, Richard Roundtree, Marjoe Gortner, and Walter Matthau. The film was released during a time when disaster movies were all the rage, and this one certainly delivered on the premise.

The movie is set in Los Angeles, California, and follows the lives of various characters as they navigate the chaos and destruction caused by a massive earthquake. The movie opens with a seismologist, Dr. Stockle (played by Heston), predicting that a major earthquake is going to hit Los Angeles. However, his warnings fall on deaf ears as local officials don't want to create a panic.

As predicted, a massive 9.9 magnitude earthquake hits Los Angeles, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The movie depicts the earthquake event in a very realistic and terrifying way, with buildings collapsing, roads splitting apart, and people struggling to survive amidst the destruction. The movie's special effects were truly groundbreaking for their time, and some scenes were genuinely shocking.

The movie's plot revolves around several characters who are dealing with personal struggles while trying to survive the earthquake. Each character has their own story arc, giving the viewer a glimpse into their lives and how the earthquake affects them. The main characters include architect Stewart Graff (played by Heston), his estranged wife Remy Royce-Graff (played by Gardner), police officer Sgt. Lew Slade (played by Kennedy), motorcycle daredevil Miles Quade (played by Gortner), and Rosa Amici (played by Bujold), a clerk working in a grocery store.

Stewart Graff is the film's protagonist, an architect who is in the midst of a divorce from his wife Remy Royce-Graff. When the earthquake hits, Stewart must use all his knowledge and skill to escape from an unfinished building that's collapsing around him. Meanwhile, his wife Remy is trapped in her house and must fight to survive amidst the chaos. Stewart's efforts to rescue his wife form one of the film's most thrilling arcs.

Sgt. Lew Slade is a police officer who must deal with the earthquake's aftermath and ensure that law and order are maintained amidst the chaos. Along the way, he encounters several challenges, including a looting gang that's causing havoc in the city.

Miles Quade is a motorcycle daredevil who is performing a stunt during the earthquake. He uses his skills to save several people and becomes an unlikely hero in the process.

Rosa Amici is a clerk working in a grocery store who becomes trapped in the rubble when the earthquake hits. Her fight for survival is one of the most emotional arcs in the movie.

The movie has its share of flaws, including some cheesy dialogue and rather clichéd characters. However, the film's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The special effects are amazing, and the movie's pacing is spot-on. The tension builds up gradually, leading to an explosive and action-packed finish.

One particularly memorable scene is the destruction of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a real-life location that was featured in the movie. The scene was created with a mix of practical effects and miniatures, and the result is truly stunning.

Overall, Earthquake is a classic disaster movie that still holds up today. The film's cast is impressive, and the special effects are truly outstanding. If you're in the mood for an action-packed adventure, Earthquake is definitely worth a watch.

Earthquake is a 1974 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 56.