MovieChat Forums > Airport (1970) Discussion > This movie did not hold up well over the...

This movie did not hold up well over the years

posted 15 years ago by jgroub
54 replies | jump to latest

I had last seen this movie as a kid over 30 years ago, and it did not hold up. The acting is over-the-top and hammy, it's ridiculous to see the incredible lack of security they had then (whether it's true or not) compared to today, and all the things mentioned on the Airport drinking game thread make this movie pretty much unwatchable.

Notice I said pretty much. What does make this movie somewhat bearable is thinking about all the things Airplane spoofed while watching this dog. Do that, and you'll have a good time laughing your a$$ off.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] Jerseykid 15 years ago

I think America hasn't help up since the movie came out. This movie reminds me of a nice time in America that doesn't exist anymore. The movie isn't the problem.....

[–] bing-57 14 years ago

> This movie reminds me of a nice time in America that doesn't exist anymore.

Yeah. I miss the good old days when you could stowaway on a plane, smoke all you wanted during the flight, and bring bombs and guns on board with you.

Ah yes. Those were the days, my friend.

--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

[–] namaGemo 9 years ago

LOL. No doubt, this movie was boring garbage and I don't know why it's rated so highly.

[–] gcarras (2728) 7 years ago

"a nice time in America that doesn't exist anymore." Except in the south and most of America.,

[–] liscarkat (16619) 3 years ago

It was a nice time in all of the U.S., including the South. Try to snap out of the brainwashing.

[–] gcarras (2728) 3 years ago

I mant the "time' still exists

[–] don-lockwood 15 years ago

There seem to be a lot of defenders on this board. The movie is passable entertainment; I'd barely give it a 6/10. This is no Poseidon Adventure. Helen Hayes was wonderful as always, and Maureen Stapleton and Van Heflin were also strong. It was technically well made, and I thought the splitscreen effects enhanced the storytelling without being overused.

But for what it could have been, it was neither a great showcase for the actors nor a suspenseful action flick. Where was the plot?

This film is watchable, but whether or not it's dated, giving it a 6 seems very lenient. There are some solid, good films that I rate a 7 (like The Hangover) that, if not great or important, were much better than this flick.

[–] SeisCinemaSeis 15 years ago

I read somewhere that this movie felt already old-fashioned when it premiered. I don't remember what critic said it. Anyway whoever said it might be right.
This flick is no more than 120 min long soap opera plus barely 10 min of "suspense". Overall the acting couldn't be worse. Besides the editing style used in this movie is frankly annoying. The screen-split gimmick perhaps was something cool back then but nowadays it looks extremely cheesy.

Only Helen Hayes and perhaps Van Heflin, in his last role, saved the day. Finally will be always a pleasure to watch Jacqueline Bisset beauty, even if her performance in this movie is completely forgettable.

Just another overrated Hollywood stinker: 5/10

[–] jgroub 15 years ago

You said it all right there. Couldn't agree more.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TorontoJediMaster 14 years ago

I think it's more in how dated the film appears.

You have the fact that Tanya Livingstone is so unique in that she's a female employee in a supervisory position. All other women airline employees seem to be solely flight attendants (or, as they're called in the film, stewardesses).

You have people all dressed up in suits and ties -even kids- for a long, confined, flight.

Then, there's the simple fact that someone can smuggle a bomb inside a briefcase, through the simple fact that carry-on baggage isn't examined prior to boarding.

I think that it's simple that the reality of air travel -and society- has changed so much since the film came out.

[–] grambax 14 years ago

I saw it as a child, too; even younger than you. And even then I have to agree with others that it did already feel slightly dated, even to me. But I liked it, then and now. I think the problem is that many are comparing it to later action disaster pictures, when in fact this was a slightly different beast, from a (very slightly) earlier era.

On the subject of cineplexes; Airport was one of the opening films when the (relatively) famous city centre Odeon in Glasgow, Scotland, the UK's then busiest cinema, re-opened after being split into a three screen multiplex. I doubt anyone else is interested, but the other films were Cromwell in Screen 1 and The Virgin and the Gypsy in Screen 3. I'd still take Airport any day!

This was Aiport's Screen 2 - http://www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/glasgow/picture.php?loc=odeon.html&a mp;filen=odeon/odeon_scr2.jpg

[–] Yellowdog412 14 years ago

The movie is nearly 40 years ago and was very much of it's time. I don't think you can judge a movie in that way, personally. I'm 41 years old and just saw it for the first time, and I actually enjoyed it. Yes, it's dated and cheesy for current times but you could say that for just about every movie that old.

[–] porfle 14 years ago

I don't see what's wrong with a movie being of its time. It's a period piece now. That's the way things were in 1970. You can't expect it to look as though it were made today.

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[–] latherzap 14 years ago

I think it's funny that the film liked using multiple "windows" at one time. You know, somebody has a phone conversation and person at the other end of the line pops up in a bubble at the other end of the screen. Seems like the editors thought that was a nifty trick back then.

[–] rorysa 14 years ago

It is called "split screens" and it was popular at the time--I liked it in "Airport."

[–] Sadycal 14 years ago

Why do people care if movies are dated? I love watching movies from different generations. It's cool seeing how it used to be. Why should they have to "hold up?" I don't get that. Watch it with the mind set of the time it was filmed. Gives you a better understanding of things. And people.

[–] westal_sage 10 years ago

Exactly, Sadycal. I don't even mind product placement - something people always seem to complain about - I think it gives a touch of realism and it's fun to see the old logos of things and such.

Many times I want to watch, say, a '70s movie that really has a "dated" '70s feel. It's like a trip back in time.

[–] gcarras (2728) 7 years ago

Yeah...at least it's not a series of identical episodes like the Sat.AM TV cartoons kids were getting back then likem, say, sCOOBY-Doo. Speaking of which, that's hreld up for modern kids, why not a real masterpiece like this. Besides, 1980's Airplane! wouldnt' even exist without this or even more, Zero Hour.Surely I can't be serious. Stop calling me shirley. As for beoing dated even then, probaly a very point even for that time: Lawrence Welk and even Lassie and other older stuff being canned...whjat chance, demographically now what Airport stand being on TV LOL!

Multiple Windows. McG uses it in everyhting he does. The Non-McG hit Mean Girls used it as well.

[–] liscarkat (16619) 4 years ago

Sadycal (hope you're still around after 10 years), you are so very right. People would enjoy so many more movies if they could do what you suggest, but it seems to be a rare talent. Being "dated" is one of the entertaining and interesting things about old movies.

[–] rorysa 13 years ago

"Airport" was definitely not anachronistic: find one review of this film that mentions the dress of the characters.

[–] sugreev2001-1 13 years ago

Yup,unlike "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Towering Inferno" from the same era,this one doesn't hold up at all.I agree wholeheartedly with the Op,and I cannot believe they actually gave an Oscar to that old woman hamming her way through the movie.Dean Martin was the worst.

"What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left."

[–] rorysa 13 years ago

Thanks, troll

[–] Florida2 13 years ago

Per the original question, true 41 years ago security at airports was minimal - we'd be able to walk people right up to the jetway, and then stand at the window (as seen in the film) to watch the aircraft depart the gate area, and in fact we could stand there as long as we'd like, actually...

If I recall we could even walk a person right up to the aircraft itself - today a person would be arrested, but not then...

It wasn't until the rash of hijackings to Cuba that security began to tighten, and further after the rash of terrorist hijackings in the middle east a few years later (mid-'70s)...

I recall once at a smaller airport (Columbia, SC) our 737 landed to pick up passengers, and they walked out across the tarmac (no jetway) and walked up the stairs and sat down - just like walking into an elevator (per the Captain's joke) - the door was closed an about 2 minutes later we were back in the air (no waiting in line at the end of the runway) - so at that time flying was still simple and fun...

One time we were flying TWA to Pittsburgh in a DC-9, and the cockpit door was open for at least part of the flight as the pilots were served lunch, and we could hear them laughing about something being told to them - again, when flying was fun...

In the late '60s, kids were allowed to visit the cockpit and many airlines would award them a set of wings - it was one way for the airlines to encourage kids to choose aviation as a career...

P.S. On the return flight from Pittsburgh we flew in a TWA-707 - as said in the film it was a sturdy aircraft and really to this day is considered the Cadillac of airliners...

Glades2

[–] DeepFriedJello 13 years ago

I just saw it again after about 30 years, and really enjoyed it.
George Kennedy is good with his cigar moving the plane in the snowdrift.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 6 years ago

I saw it for the first time ever last year and absolutely loved it

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I enjoyed it as well.