Earthquake (film)

Earthquake (Original Title: Earthquake ) is a disaster film from 1974 directed by Mark Robson Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Genevieve Bujold and Richard Roundtree played the lead roles.. The screenplay was written by Mario Puzo.

The film was the first ever to hit the theaters in the so-called Sensurround sound system. A sound pressure generated by the use of multiple amplifiers and subwoofers ten specially adapted, brought to vibrate the seats and walls in the auditorium. It originated as the impression of a "real" earthquake; which went so far that some moviegoers fled from the room.

Action

The metropolis of Los Angeles is rocked by several small tremors. No one suspects, however, that this should be only the harbinger for disaster devastating proportions that falls within 24 hours of the city. At the Hollywood Reservoir, an employee is drowned in a patrol. The incident is being investigated, but there are initially no explanation. Inexplicably, the level of the reservoir increases. Then cracks are discovered in the dam; an aftershock finally brings him to collapse and large parts of the city are flooded. The day is described from the perspective of different people; the individual storylines are multiple intertwined.

The marriage of Stewart Graff and his wife Remy has failed. Remy is addicted to alcohol, while Stewart seeks his happiness in a romance with the young actress Denise. Remy tries to prevent this by her father, Sam Royce, Stewart's boss asks her to convey Stewart when he ended the relationship for it to Denise in return. Finally, the situation escalates, as need to decide during a rescue mission in a flooded manhole Stewart whether he should try to save Remy, or whether he brings to safety and begins a new life with Denise. Stewart opts for the former, and drown both he and Remy.

Policeman Lew is suspended from duty because he has once again lost his temper when used by his hot-headedness and his strong sense of justice. However, in the face of disaster it grows beyond itself and so can the young Rosa save from rape. In the devastated city, he meets Stewart and helps him in the rescue of several buried in an underground people, among whom Remy and Denise are.

Miles and Sal have their big day: You want an artist agents from Las Vegas to show off their motorcycle stunt show and hope to have a contract. Because they are a bit short of cash, they borrow money from Lew, they bewitch with Sal's sister Rosa. Just as they begin the screening, breaks in the quake on the city and destroyed the course.

The shy, feminine Jody is a senior employee of a supermarket, in which Rosa buys regularly. He is very fond of her, but does not dare to reveal himself. Some guy from his neighborhood he is because of his appearance constantly teased and insulted as fagot. When he catches in use for the National Guard just these types as looters, he shoots them unceremoniously. Rosa, who is also suspected of looting, he takes under his wing and tries to seduce her. She struggles and tries to escape; just then dive Stewart and Lew on. Pink begs Lew for help, this Jody shoots in self-defense.

Walter Russell, a young employee in the Seismological Institute of Los Angeles, has set up calculations by which shortly to stand before a major earthquake. Since there but so far no proven methods of calculation, you do not believe him now. His boss feared to ruin by a possible hoax the reputation of the Institute and the Mayor 's afraid to trigger a public warning a potential for unnecessary panic. Ultimately, however, reservists are called up in the event of the case.

Background

The real star of the film was at that time in 1974, the Sensurround sound. In some cinemas were removed up to three rows of seats to make room for the sound system that generated the appropriate sound effect.

Universal Studios and Jennings Lang wanted the film earthquake an event movie, today is Blockbuster and the audience should repeatedly lure into theaters. After a few ideas also styrofoam rocks were thrown over the audience their heads to make the film more full effect and to present the impression of a real earthquake. Furthermore, came from the universal sound department, a newly developed processor called " Sensurround " used. A number of large speakers with an amplifier output of 1,500 watts, developed by the U.S. company " Cerwin -Vega ". This worked in subhörbaren ( " infra- bass " ) sound wave frequency range at about 120 decibels (equivalent to a jet engine at startup). The observer gave it the feel of a straight take place earthquake. The processor has been tested in several theaters in the United States prior to the release of the film, which led to different results. A famous example is the Grauman 's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, which broke through " Sensurround " the plaster on the ceiling. The same cinema theater led earthquake three months later as a world premiere with an enormous success, but with a newly installed network above the audience that any falling debris should absorb part.

The " Sensurround " sound proved to be a great crowd pleaser. But it also led to controversy. Thus there have been cases of epistaxis generated by the sound waves. When the film in Chicago, Illinois, to be premiered, refused by the head of construction and safety of the system approval, because he feared it could cause structural damage.

Sensurround roller coaster (1977) and Battlestar Galactica (1978 /79) was again for the movies Battle of Midway (1976 ) was used.

Movie versions for the home

The film earthquake in 1978 was the first time evaluated for the home theater. Universal Eight, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures released the film in a 18- minute version on Super 8, as well as to 16 mm. The summary contains only the plotline with Denise, Remy and Stewart. The short version appeared on German sales Piccolo film production and distribution GmbH KG Dias, also in German and French, as it did not exist video and DVD. In the demonstrations on television and the movie versions for the home, (Super -8 films, videos), the feeling of an earthquake, through the inferior sound quality was never good effect. Without these effects, the film was only a cluster of stars in an antiquated disaster movie.

The DVD of " Universal Home Video ", from 2003, the English Tonspurfassung, a similar " Sensurround " soundtrack like the one in from the original movie from 1974. Unfortunately not reach the currently available version of the sound effect, as it was in 1974 Cinema, (see the references above "background" or " Sensurround sound! ), since the soundtrack was aligned only in mono sound available and on the three front speakers (left, center, and right audio channel ) place an effective sonic 4.1 soundtrack mix. Thus, there is no real subwoofer use. The original German dubbed version of 1974, is available on DVD in Dolby Digital 2.1. The original soundtrack of the film was developed in 5.1 surround sound, with certain movie scenes had to be re-edited and mixed.

Trivia

Walter Matthau plays a small supporting role a drunken guest at a bar Originally intended as a short cameo appearance, his name should not actually appear in the credits. In the finished version cut Matthau was clear, however, that his appearance rather corresponded to a supporting role and his name would be called. This had not been his intention, and he made ​​sure that he appeared as Walter Matuschanskayasky uncredited. As a result, Walter Matthau made ​​several more times use of this pseudonym.

Criticism

" Disaster movie with amazingly realistic looking scenes and destruction comparatively differentiated action. A technically perfect show. "

" Although pretty much romps on the cast list everything in the Hollywood of 1974 (yet) had rank and name, such as Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, the real stars of this smash hit are the special effects. [ ... ] Very detailed models can ignore the consistent quality of serving as a background matte painting. "

Awards

The film was awarded in 1975 for the special effects and sound with an Oscar, he also received three other Oscar nominations. In 1975 he was nominated for the tone for the BAFTA Award. For the screenplay and as Best Picture in 1975, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

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