Airport

I recently watched "Airport" on TCM. It was the first time I had seen it in its original widescreen format since it came out in 1970. I was surprised at how well it has held up with the passage of time. Although there have been disaster movies from the beginning of cinema in the late 19th century and one that dealt specifically with an airplane in danger ("The High and the Mighty"), this was the film that launched the modern disaster craze that produced "The Towering Inferno," "The Poseidon Adventure," and countless others including "The Day After Tomorrow." The hilarious spoof "Airplane" which poked fun at the clichés and pretentiousness of the films did much to discredit the genre until recently.

"Airport" was based on the popular best seller by Arthur Hailey. Although over two hours long, the movie moves and the viewer never gets bored. The stellar cast does an exceptional job with a standout performance by the legendary Helen Hayes. The ending is both happy and sad. So it does not cop out on several key themes of the story. Many of the roles, such as George Kennedy's Joe Patroni, are played lightly and this adds zest to the performances. When the script begins to get syrupy a new element of emergency is thrown in to pick it up and go.

Forget all the cliché-ridden disaster flicks you have seen since "Airport." You will be entertained and not feel cheated when the closing credits appear.

Airport is a classic film that was one of the films that began the disaster film genre. It contains great actors like Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Helen Hayes, George Kennedy and Jaquline Bissett. Helen Hayes won the films only Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her comic role as the Stow away. I have one question. Where was George Kennedy's Oscar? I think he should have recieved an Oscar for his role as Joe Patronni. To recieve 10 Oscar nominations is an incredible achievement for a film of this Genre. Alfred Newman gives an upbeat and suspenseful music score and Ernest Laszlo's cinematography is good. Altogether, this film is a great one and there isn't any down spots that I noticed. Dean Martin was great as the smart mouthed airline pilot and Burt Lancaster as Bakerfeld, the airport manager. Van Hefiln was also good because he made you believe that his character had problems. A great film, worth your time to watch.

I just saw this film again. I always enjoy it. It is a "time warp" 39 years ago, the hairstyles, the clothing, the airport. I always get a hoot when Van Heflin just strolls on the airplane, with a bomb in a briefcase. I have been flying since 1974, and since Sept 11 2001, you have to strip, take off your shoes, and get wanded. Strange to see the airport procedures of this bygone era.

The ensemble cast is always enjoyable. I like Dean Martin (the pilot) who is married to Barbara Hale (Perry Mason's secretary, Della Street, in one of her few film roles. When Dean Martin decides to divorce her, and continue in the relationship with Jacqueline Bisset (the stewardess), I hope the wife does not get Perry Mason for the divorce! Parry will clean his plow!

Airport is a fascinating mix of high-stakes drama and 1970s Hollywood spectacle. As one of the earliest big-budget disaster films, it not only set the blueprint for the genre but also serves as a time capsule of the era's filmmaking style, aviation culture and social attitudes. While its pacing and melodrama may feel dated to modern audiences, its historical significance and layered storytelling still make it a compelling watch. And I honestly love the cultured accent spoken throughout. No gangsta talk.

Based on Arthur Hailey's bestseller, Airport juggles multiple character-driven subplots: an overworked airport manager (Burt Lancaster) struggling with both a snowstorm and bureaucracy, a pilot (Dean Martin) caught in an affair and a desperate bomber planning to bring down a Boeing 707 mid-flight. The film takes its time setting up these stories -with about half the movie dedicated for the setup is perhaps too much time- but when the tension finally kicks in, the payoff is solid. Always remember that 1970 tension isn't 2025 tension. The second half, focusing on the in-flight crisis, delivers well-executed suspense.

What makes Airport particularly interesting today is how it reflects the US as it was in 1970. Aviation was still seen as glamorous, and airlines, airports and Boeing itself were held in high regard-something highlighted when a character casually remarks, "Remind me to thank Mr. Boeing." Given Boeing's recent struggles with safety and reputation, this line lands very differently in today's context.

Likewise, the film captures workplace dynamics, gender roles and attitudes towards air travel in ways that now seem old-fashioned. The portrayal of stewardesses (now flight attendants) as primarily caretakers or love interests is a reminder of how far things have evolved. The dialogue, often earnest and formal, feels worlds away from today's snappier, realism-driven screenplays.

Does Airport Hold Up?

For fans of classic Hollywood, the film remains an engaging, well-acted drama. Helen Hayes' Oscar-winning performance as a charming stowaway adds levity, and George Kennedy's no-nonsense airport mechanic injects some much-needed energy. However, those used to modern thrillers may find the first half too slow, as it leans heavily into airport logistics and personal drama before the real action begins. These are aspects that today's movies skip over.

That said, its legacy is undeniable. It spawned three sequels, inspired countless disaster films and was famously parodied in "Airplane!" of 1980. More than just a thriller, Airport is a historical document-capturing a time when aviation was a symbol of progress, Boeing was untouchable and disaster movies were just finding their wings.

Verdict + For fans of classic films and disaster movie history: A must-watch + For those interested in aviation culture and 1970s cinema: Worth it

• For viewers expecting fast-paced modern storytelling: Might feel slow.

Universal assembled an all-star cast for this film version of Arthur Hailey's best-selling novel "Airport", and the result was a critical and box-office smash that earned 10 Oscar nominations. The film is at its basics pure soap-opera built around the impending bomb on a 707 bound for Rome. The workings of a major international airport are well depicted and the cast provides some great performances. Burt Lancaster, Jacqueline Bisset, Jean Seberg, Maureen Stapleton, Dean Martin, and Van Heflin all turn in some of the best performances of their careers, and Helen Hayes (who won an Oscar for supporting actress) is endearing as the stowaway, who has worked out quite a system for flying for free. "Airport"'s success signaled the beginning of the disaster movie era that was followed over the next several years by such films as "The Poseidon Adventure", "The Towering Inferno", "Earthquake", "Two Minute Warning", and "Rollercoaster". "Airport" also inspired three sequels, although none of them even approached the original.