Earthquake (1974) - Destroying Los Angeles Scene (2/10) | Movieclips

Earthquake - Destroying Los Angeles: The earthquake destroys Los Angeles.

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FILM DESCRIPTION:
When a major earthquake hits Los Angeles, the various residents of the city cope with the chaos and destruction. Successful architect Stewart Graff (Charlton Heston) argues with his demanding wife, Remy Royce-Graff (Ava Gardner), as the disaster hits. Later, when he checks in on his flirtatious friend Denise Marshall (Geneviève Bujold), they begin an affair. As the personal dramas continue, the city is threatened by aftershocks and possibly even greater quakes.

CREDITS:
TM & © Universal (1974)
Cast: Ava Gardner, Charlton Heston, Geneviève Bujold, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Richard Roundtree, Walter Matuschanskayasky
Screenwriter: George Fox, Mario Puzo
Director: Mark Robson

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[pHD]

For a movie made in 1974, the special effects crew (if they are still alive today) can certainly still feel proud about their contribution to this fine movie. Even though some of the effects show their age, for the most part it looks fabulous.

[ftw]

The blood affect on the elevator shot was so lifelike. It felt like I was right there

[Martin]

I remember watching this film as a kid back in the eighties. I clearly recall the blood spatter at 1:40 and I knew that in real life no one would be stupid enough to get into an elevator during an earthquake. And bearing in mind that this was made in 1974, these are some very impressive effects.

[Kenobi]

Getting in that elevator was not a good idea.

[excalibur]

“Turn off the gas!"

Immediately runs into the house to turn off the gas with a lit cigarette in his mouth.

[emiranda]

This is how they actually do depicted the earthquake with this film. The use of practical effects are outstanding by the time. They looked like something is actually getting destroyed rather than animate that on a computer nowadays. Except the elevator part where….yeah…unnecessary to slap a blood spill on the screen in the cheesiest way possible. Other than that, this is impressive and scary at the same time.

[JeffreyDeCristofaro]

Putting aside all howlers - namely the drunk at the bar with the shot glass - this scene is pretty scary and realistic for the pre-CG age. And the glass stuck in the actors' faces is AUTHENTIC!

[milesbrad]

I love that dude who's just drinking shots like "the fuck is going on" whilst the bar is literally falling to pieces 😂😂

[senosab]

"Turn off the gas!"
Guy running around with a lit cigarette in his mouth goes to turn off the gas. Gotta love the 70s.

[Ostan-jwbg]

I love how in the midst of all the chaos. That dude in the bar is just sitting there.

“Yeah..go ahead god…take me away…”

[albawalid]

The earthquake in this movie since (1974) is more realistic then san andreas (2015) and 2012 (2009) 🤔 . Good job .

[shrekwazowski]

This movie is still a classic to this day.

[Pelham_]

That last matte painting by Albert Whitlock still holds up today and it’s nothing more then glass and paint with little pockets of fire and smoke effects inserted. Amazing.

[Markus_Andrew]

When this movie was shown in 1974, a technique called "Sensurround" was used. Theaters were fitted with powerful sub-woofers which were activated during the earthquake sequences to make the venue shake and vibrate as part of the experience. Ironically, some theaters suffered structural damage from low-frequency harmonic resonance. Sensurround was used in a few other films, including "Midway" (1976), "Rollercoaster" (1977) and the theatrical release of the "Battlestar Galactica" pilot (1978, I think).

[Phantom]

Crazy, I remember this being on tv when I was a kid and I watched these same 5 mins before my mum switched it off. The elevator scene disturbed me for years! Now seeing it as an adult it’s nowhere near as horrific as I remember it. In fact the blood splat is almost comical!

[chunky]

This looks great since it was 50 years ago. Better than some modern day films and shows

[enikata]

For 1974 those are some impressive practical affects

[xaraxen]

Walter Matthau's character has been through the world's ups and downs.

[muscleymancomics]

The fact that they focused so intently on the town drunk trying to sit his shot made this the most memorable part of the movie. lol.

[gantzify]

1:41 They’re all fine, that was just a bad special effect.