This week, Total Film’s DVD Club is watching that classic of ‘70s disaster epics, The Towering Inferno.

We thought we’d pay tribute to the movie – and the decade – by taking a look at it and some more great cine-catastrophes.

So grab your tin hat, your emergency blanket and that spare bottle of water and try to survive...



The Movie: The Towering Inferno (1974)

The world’s biggest skyscraper is being prepared for its big unveiling party, which will be crammed with visiting dignitaries.

Sadly, the chief electrical engineer has cut corners and a fire soon breaks out. You can guess the rest from the title.

Master Of Disaster: John Guillermin, though the action material was shot by producer, and the man who truly earned the master title, Irwin Allen.
 
Appetite For Destruction: So many flame-grilled moments to choose from!

But we’re going with the first helicopter rescue attempt as the chopper is blown off course just as two brain-dead socialites make a panicked run towards it.

The aircraft is smashed against the side of the building, goes boom and flaming debris drifts to the ground as the movie’s score has a dramatic string section heart attack.

Next: The Poseidon Adventure