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Earthquake
1974 123 min United States of America PG 16+
★6.4
Action, Drama, Thriller
Director: Mark Robson
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Various interconnected people struggle to survive when an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude hits Los Angeles, California.
Budget:
$7M
US Gross:
$79.67M
Worldwide:
$79.67M
Starring
Charlton Heston
Actor
Ava Gardner
Actor
George Kennedy
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1975
— Special Achievement Award
Academy Awards 1975
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1975
— Best Cinematography
Academy Awards 1975
— Special Achievement Award
Academy Awards 1975
— Best Production Design
Academy Awards 1975
— Best Sound
BAFTA 1975
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 1975
— Best Picture (Drama)
Key opinion
Earthquake is a hallmark 1970s disaster spectacle that balances high-stakes catastrophe with a heavy focus on character-driven drama. While its impressive practical effects and scale remain widely appreciated, the film is frequently criticized for its slow, uneven pacing during the first half.
| Production | The practical miniature effects and large-scale destruction hold up as visceral and authentic, outclassing many modern CGI-reliant disaster films. | |
| Ending | The film avoids common disaster movie clichés by committing to a dark, uncompromising ending rather than relying on typical Hollywood optimism. | |
| Acting | The performances from lead actors like Charlton Heston and George Kennedy provide genuine emotional weight that grounds the film's disaster scenarios. | |
| Pacing | The runtime is divided by a polarized reception: some viewers value the character buildup as necessary for emotional stakes, while others find the opening hour tedious and prone to dragging. |