"This is the big one,."
synopsis
A massive earthquake devastates Los Angeles, collapsing buildings, rupturing dams, and tearing apart highways. Amid the chaos, multiple storylines converge as survivors struggle to reunite with loved ones and escape aftershocks and secondary disasters.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
More spectacle than substance, Earthquake leans heavily into destruction sequences while its character arcs remain thin. The film was famous for its “Sensurround” theatrical gimmick that shook audiences during screenings. While the practical effects were ambitious for the time, some sequences feel dated. Still, as a time capsule of 1970s disaster filmmaking, it’s fascinating.
Curiosity about 70s spectacle. Historical perspective. Controlled volume.
Absurdist's Corner
Los Angeles infrastructure fails in spectacular domino fashion — one collapse triggering five more instantly.
fun facts
Introduced “Sensurround,” a sound system designed to physically vibrate theaters.
Featured large-scale miniature work for city destruction scenes.
Part of the 1970s disaster film boom.