At the Movies

Film Assessment: Metropolis On Fireplace (1979)


Style: Catastrophe Thriller  

Director: Alvin Rakoff  

Starring: Barry Newman, Susan Clark, Shelley Winters, Leslie Nielsen, Ava Gardner, Henry Fonda, James Franciscus  

Operating Time: 106 minutes  

Synopsis: A disgruntled ex-employee sabotages an oil refinery, inflicting an enormous firestorm that consumes the adjoining metropolis. Mass casualties ensue, and amongst these caught within the flames are a heroic physician (Barry Newman), the corrupt Mayor (Leslie Neilsen), a rich benefactor (Susan Clark) who has a relationship with each, a devoted nurse (Shelley Winters), an alcoholic tv information character (Ava Gardner), her producer (James Franciscus), and town’s Fireplace Chief (Henry Fonda). Evacuating the primary hospital turns into a focus of rescue efforts.

What Works Nicely: The opening scenes are customary and inoffensive in trying to set the context, and the set-on-fire stunt performers are glorious.

What Does Not Work As Nicely: This Canadian manufacturing is a dreadful try to hitch the tail finish of the Seventies catastrophe film parade. Virtually hilariously unhealthy however typically simply painful, the writing and appearing are atrocious, with quite a few strains of dialogue quotable as tone-deaf treasures. Leslie Neilsen unintentionally practices for his impending area of interest, however Henry Fonda (reciting his strains with a dead-eyed lack of conviction) and Ava Gardner (overplaying the drunken schtick) collectively win probably the most embarrassing prize. The manufacturing values and particular results betray a restricted funds, whereas the ultimate hospital evacuation sequence takes perpetually, and largely options extras.

Key Quote:

Fireplace Chief: All it takes is one man, may very well be anyone… your neighbor, my neighbor… one man to destroy a metropolis.

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