Earthquake (1974)

20% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(7,861 ratings)

Los Angeles is the natural site for a film about earthquakes: they happen there frequently, and the landscape is familiar to moviegoers from thousands of films. A huge number of ongoing vignettes which include cameos from numerous celebrities and stars are tied together by the ongoing efforts of… More Los Angeles is the natural site for a film about earthquakes: they happen there frequently, and the landscape is familiar to moviegoers from thousands of films. A huge number of ongoing vignettes which include cameos from numerous celebrities and stars are tied together by the ongoing efforts of architect Graff (Charleton Heston) to rescue his estranged spoiled-rich-girl wife (Ava Gardner), while helping out with the ongoing rescue efforts taking place around him and while trying to determine what has happened to his mistress Denise (Genvieve Bujold). The rumbling sound effect designed for this film (Sensurround) won a "Best Sound" Oscar for the film in 1975. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Mark Robson
Written By: George Fox, Mario Puzo
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Nov 15, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Sep 22, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Silly plot, one-dimensional characters, but lots of stars (Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner) and some good, Oscar-winning special effects
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...doesn't really hold up all that well today...
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
It's a disaster movie. You know what to expect.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
a masterpiece of bad moviemaking.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Big budget trash--sometimes pretty funny
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Corny all-star earth-shaker.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Drama ensues when the big one hits L.A. in this 1974 disaster flick featuring a cornucopia of Hollywood talent of which it can be summed up with that Walter Matthau used his family name in the credits, not his screen name. Its actually not as bad as your sneer ... well, it… More
Drama ensues when the big one hits L.A. in this 1974 disaster flick featuring a cornucopia of Hollywood talent of which it can be summed up with that Walter Matthau used his family name in the credits, not his screen name. Its actually not as bad as your sneer ... well, it wasn't as bad as mine was. Why are they living on a fault line anyway? I saw it on AMC.
AJ V

A highly typical disaster film from the mid 70s. Like the others it has a cast of recognizable celebrities, who don't get to do much else than be normal people. It doesn't really stand out as a good movie by any means, but it isn't bad either. There is some genuine… More
A highly typical disaster film from the mid 70s. Like the others it has a cast of recognizable celebrities, who don't get to do much else than be normal people. It doesn't really stand out as a good movie by any means, but it isn't bad either. There is some genuine suspense in the middle of it, anyway.
Tsubaki S

By-the-numbers disaster flick. One star just for having Victoria Principal with an afro.
jay n

Junk in the extreme but if you've never seen it and are a fan of bad cinema it's worth a go if only to see Victoria Principal in an afro!
Lafe F

It's a slow soap-opera buildup to the actual Earthquake. When it does occur, it's spectacular and haunting. The aftermath is creepy and depressing.
xGary X

Yet another 70s disasterthon, studded with the usual stars that are well past their sell by date going through the usual firefighting/clambering through rubble motions. A lumbering bore.
Dean M

Excellent dramatic exploition extravaganza, combining brilliant special effects with a multi-character plot line.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Charlton Heston as Graff

            Ava Gardner as Remy Graff

            George Kennedy as Patrolman Slade

            Lorne Greene as Royce

            Geneviève Bujold as Denise

            Richard Roundtree as Miles

            Pedro Armendariz Jr. as Slade's Partner

            Barry Alexander Brown as Pool Player

            Bob Cunningham as Dr. Frank Ames

            Gabriel Dell as Miles's Manager

            John Dennis as Brawny Foreman

            Gene Dynarski as Dam Caretaker

            John Elerick as Carl Reeds

            Marjoe Gortner as Jody

            Lloyd Gough as Cameron

            H.B. Haggerty as Pool Player

            Tim Herbert as Man

            Scott Hylands as Assistant Dam Caretaker

            Monica Lewis as Royce's Secretary

            Walter Matthau as Drunk

            Matuschanskayasky
            
            Donald Moffat as Dr. Harvey Johnson

            George Murdock as Colonel

            Kip Niven as Assistant Seismologist

            Lloyd Nolan as Dr. Vance

            Inez Pedroza as Laura

            Victoria Principal as Rosa

            John Randolph as Mayor

            Barry Sullivan as Dr. Stockle

            Alan Vint as Ralph

            Tiger Williams as Corry Marshall

            Jesse Vint as Buck

            Dave Morick as Technician

            Robert Gravage as Farmer Mr. Griggs

            John S. Ragin as Chief Inspector

            Kevin Michael Richardson as Sandy
See full cast