Review of Airport 1975 (1974) by Roy C — 30 May 2010

This is probably the first disaster movie I could really appreciate because it is simple enough to be realistic, yet varied and nailbitingly suspenseful enough to be an entertaining view. The accident and the damage to the plane do not seem farfetched at all, nor do the rescue attempts, the panic among the passengers (not too overdone) and the ultimate success.

As usual it takes a while before the fatal incident occurs, giving us a chance to get to know the colourful palette of characters onboard (some are really priceless, like Gloria Swanson playing herself â?? howâ??s that for self-mockery â?? the failed actor who only took the flight to see himself in the movie shown during the flight and the partygoers trio).

Melodrama (girl with kidney problem, played by Linda Blair) was not overdone, thankfully. The main focus is on the rescue attempt, which is good. When Karen Black follows the instructions, one can really feel the tension (great acting!) and almost gets the idea to learn something from these scenes just in case â?¦ There are many more tiny moments that impressed me (for example George Kennedy losing his temper with annoying journalist), but these are too many to mention here.

This is just a good disaster movie.