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 16 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.

[–] franzkabuki 13 years ago

Judging by the critical reaction upon its release, it has never really "held up". If anything, it´s better now as it´s sort of endearing to see a movie so obviously and blatantly of a very different era - and all the security/general behaviour-aboard-an-aircraft related anachronisms only add to the nostalgia. It may be thousands of flight hours away from being a good movie, but it is, however, a very enjoyable piece of entertainment nevertheless.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] rorysa 13 years ago

Most film critics in 1970 were primarily interested in socially relevant, youth-oriented films, not big entertainments, which they blamed on driving much of Hollywood to the brink of bankruptcy. In the case of "Airport," however, the movie-going public had a different notion.

[–] rockmail 13 years ago

Well of course things often represent fashions fads, and styles of their time - did you think you we making a brilliant analysis by noting that a movie has a look and feel fixed in a certain time period? Lord save me from the geniuses.

AND, by the way, the comedy movie "Airplane" is based almost entirely on an older movie called "Zero Hour", not this one.

[–] jgroub 13 years ago

Yeah, I know - I've been looking for it for years. It would be so hilarious to see it, because I understand that tons of dialogue is lifted straight from it.

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

[–] Samclyde2 13 years ago

I don't think its dated for its time, the fashions and procedures of airports as depicted in this movie were pretty much how it was in the 1960's/1970's.

And flying was more of big event back then, people would come to the airports dressed up, and working for the aiports then was more fun and people took more pride in their work back in those days.

It wasn't like today where flying is like taking the bus, with overcrowed flights where they don't even give you a meal anymore, people constantly complaining and dressing like bums, and so on.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] seatart-2 12 years ago

Not really. Bonnie and Clyde and M*A*S*H were far ahead in the 1970s style of movie making. The studio system was still very heavy handed in what films they would produce and what their contract players could star in. This came out in 1970 so it had been a work in progress from the time the Arthur Hailey book was published.

The most easily transferable character is Ada Quonsett. She was everybody's spunky little granny who usually got her way. She's been in so many movies since then. Not Ada, not Helen, just the character.

[–] joegerardi-1 12 years ago

"Studio System"? What left field is that out of? The Studio System ended in 1954, when the last of the big studios (MGM) cut all ties with Loew's, the parent company.

What could a movie 15 years later possible have to do with the Studio System?

..Joe

[–] n.debrabant 12 years ago

This movie does hold up. As for the lack of security, it was as the movie showed. I can remember taking my family out or picking them up at the gate. Watching the plane pull away from the gate, no one stoped and searched you then. I can remember walking out to the airplane and walking up stairs to board the plane. I miss those days. They were fun times. People dressed up to fly. People were nice. You got meals. Seats were wider and you were not packed in like Sardines. You couls walk down the center even with the cart there. I use to enjoy flying. Now it's a chore.

"Listen, I don't tan, I don't burn, I implode."

[–] kstallings100 12 years ago

The spoofs were actually better and not as misogynist. The only person I liked in this movie was Barbara Hale.

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[–] DracTarashV 11 years ago

Dated or not, this is one enjoyable movie... and not unwatchable at all.

Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!