City on Fire
City on Fire

Movie spotlight

City on Fire

1979
Movie
106 min
English

An ex-employee of a city oil refinery creates an explosion at the facility which starts a chain-reaction of fires that engulf the entire city.

Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes25%
Google Users58%
Director: Irvin KershnerGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In this disaster film, a massive fire breaks out in a city's newly constructed downtown stadium during a press conference and a major hockey game. As the blaze spreads rapidly due to faulty construction and flammable materials, a group of strangers find themselves trapped inside. They must band together to survive the inferno and escape the collapsing structure before it's too late.

Critical Reception

City on Fire was met with mixed to negative reviews, with critics often citing its predictable plot and reliance on disaster movie tropes. While some appreciated the spectacle and the performances of its star-studded cast, many found the film to be uninspired and less impactful than other films in the genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Critics pointed to a formulaic and unoriginal disaster film plot.

  • The performances of the ensemble cast were generally noted but couldn't elevate the material.

  • The fire sequences were considered a highlight but often overshadowed by plot weaknesses.

Google audience: Audiences seemed divided, with some enjoying the disaster spectacle and the star power, while others found the film to be a somewhat dated and uninspired entry in the genre.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be directed by Blake Edwards, who was replaced by Irvin Kershner after disagreements over the script.

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