Released in 1974, just one month before the debut of fellow big budget disaster flick, The Towering Inferno, Earthquake is a US disaster movie about a devastating earthquake which rips through Los Angeles. Directed by Mark Robson, the movie stars Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, and Richard Roundtree, and follows the story of a group of citizens as they attempt to survive the quake.
In the film, junior seismologist Walter Russell is keeping track of seismic activity at the California Seismological Institute when he discovers something alarming. According to his data, a monumental earthquake measuring seven on the Richter Scale is due to hit the city within the next 48 hours causing insurmountable devastation.
Walter immediately alerts his superiors about the forthcoming tragedy, but his bosses are unsure how to react. If they put out a public alert warning of the impending disaster there will be mass panic in the streets, causing absolute chaos as millions of people attempt to flee the city at once, and this doesn’t seem like the best solution.
Opting for an alternative plan, they call in the National Guard instead, to help keep things calm once the earthquake hits. But unfortunately, the quake arrives sooner than expected, catches everyone off guard in its size and scale, and causes mass destruction which continues long after the tremors have stopped.
Now, it is fair to say Earthquake isn’t perfect. Oh sure, Earthquake has some strong moments and it definitely knows how to create danger and drama beyond a quake, but when it comes to characterisation and set-up the film struggles.
The characters introduced prior to the quake’s arrival (a former football star, a cop, a stunt motorcyclist etc) all fall flat, and most of the set-up feels like filler. The first 50 minutes of the movie is almost entirely skippable and this doesn’t get the picture off to a good start.
But once the earthquake hits and the citizens of LA start getting chucked around the screen, things ramp up considerably. The disaster is suitably effective, with some impressive scenes of spectacle, and the magnitude of the quake is portrayed well.
There’s death at every turn, with terrified people falling out of windows or down an elevator shaft, and the practical effects hit the spot nicely. In short: The action sequences are impressive and the quake scenes are one of the biggest selling points of the film.
But this isn’t where things end, because Earthquake goes further by delivering arguably its strongest material once the quake has taken place. A great deal of the film’s more impactful scenes come when the survivors are forced to deal with everything that follows, including an aftershock and a burst dam, as well as an attempted rape.
The attempted rape is easily the most shocking sequence in Earthquake – even more so than the countless deaths – because it is so unexpected. Seeing people killed in a disaster film is par for the course, but seeing someone held against their will ahead of a proposed sexual assault takes things to another level.
In the sequence, a former grocery store manager turned member of the National Guard traps a female survivor at gun point before making advances. Thankfully for her, these advances are dealt with before the assault takes place, but the intention is there.
It’s in this sequence that Earthquake enters dark and disturbing territory, and while it is uncomfortable to watch, it’s an example of the movie coming on leaps and bounds from its opening. If the first half of this movie drops the ball by being uninspiring and paper-thin, the second half sure then makes up for things by pushing forward in new ways.
Outside of the darker moments and the spectacle, Earthquake boasts solid sound, some good staging, and great set design. The film’s score is also decent and is provided by the legendary composer John Williams, who seemed to corner the market in ‘70s disaster movies having also scored 1972’s The Poseidon Adventure and the aforementioned The Towering Inferno.
Is it Williams at his best? No, but all Williams is good Williams, so take it for what it is.
Where the film falls down is in the previously discussed first hour which is pants, as well as the movie’s abrupt climax. Earthquake doesn’t so much end as it comes to a grinding halt, and there are a number of loose ends left in the open.
The cast is also wasted, with the likes of Heston, Kennedy, and Greene given thankless roles that don’t highlight their talents. Having well-known faces is fine, but giving them more to do is better.
If you can look past the film’s shortcomings there is much to like about Earthquake, and while it isn’t the best entry in the run of ‘70s disaster movies, it does have plenty going for it. There’s lots of entertainment on offer, and 50 years on from its release the majority of the special effects still stand up.
Should you wish to watch Earthquake, the movie is currently available to buy on DVD or Blu-ray. Earthquake is also available to buy or rent on digital through all major video on demand platforms.
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