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On some dumb fundamental level, "Airport" kept me interested for a couple of hours. I can't quite remember why. The plot has few surprises (you know and I know that no airplane piloted by Dean Martin ever crashed). The gags are painfully simpleminded (a priest, pretending to cross himself, whacks a wise guy across the face). And the characters talk in regulation B-movie clichés like no B-movie you've seen in ten years. Example: A bomb blows a hole in the airplane and weakens the tail structure. Martin's co-pilot says: "Listen, Vern, I want you to know that if there's anything I can do..." What's he talking about? Martin's girl.

The movie has a lot of expensive stars, but only two (Helen Hayes and Van Heflin) have wit enough to abandon all pretense of seriousness. Even Martin, who can be charming in a movie when he relaxes, plays a straight hero-type this time. Burt Lancaster is even straighter and more heroic, as needs be, since he has to run the airport, supervise George Kennedy in pulling out a stuck Boeing 707, and decide to divorce his wife, all at the same time.

But Miss Hayes and Heflin apparently realized early on that "Airport" was going to be a deadly dull affair, and they went about salvaging their own roles, at least. Miss Hayes milks her role of a little-old-lady stowaway for all it's conceivably worth, and I have a suspicion she wrote some of her own dialogue. It's warmer and more humorous than the stiff lines everyone else has to recite, and she won an Oscar for the role.

Heflin, as the guy with the bomb in his briefcase, is perhaps the only person in the cast to realize how metaphysically absurd "Airport" basically is. The airplane already has a priest, two nuns, three doctors, a stowaway, a customs officer's niece, a pregnant stewardess, two black GIs, a loudmouthed kid, a henpecked husband, and Dean Martin aboard, right? So obviously the bomber has to be typecast, too.

Heflin sweats, shakes, peers around nervously, clutches his briefcase to his chest, refuses to talk to anybody, and swallows a lot. The customs officer sees him going on the plane and notices "something in his eyes." Also in his ears, nose, and throat. What Heflin does is undermine the structure of the whole movie with a sort of subversive overacting. Once the bomber becomes ridiculous, the movie does, too. That's good, because it never had a chance at being anything else.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film Credits

Airport (1970)

137 minutes

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Airport 1975

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Universal, 2 discs, 137 min., G, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $19.98 Volume 27, Issue 6

by D. Liebenson

November 11, 2012

Rating: 3 of 5

1970's Airport cleared the runway for a spate of disaster films. Decades later, it still flies high, thanks to an A-list ensemble cast, loads of hokey (in a good way) dialogue, and a gripping, page-turner of a story based on Arthur Hailey's bestselling novel. Burt Lancaster anchors the film as the unhappily married airport manager whose facility is beset by a blizzard. The venerable Helen Hayes landed an Oscar as a stowaway on an ill-fated flight. Dean Martin is the pilot whose girlfriend, stewardess Jacqueline Bisset, is pregnant. Van Heflin is a sad bomber. Stealing the show is George Kennedy as the cigar-chomping airline mechanic (“That's the great thing about a 707; it can do everything but read”). Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Airport was, even 40-plus years ago, the type of film Hollywood hardly made anymore. DVD extras add to the nostalgia appeal with a pair of featurettes that pay tribute to Universal Studio's 1970s heyday and its tourist-trafficked studio lot. Recommended. ( D. Liebenson )

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Burt Lancaster (Mel Bakersfeld) Dean Martin (Vernon Demerest) George Kennedy (Joe Patroni) Jean Seberg (Tanya Livingston) Jacqueline Bisset (Gwen Meighen) Helen Hayes (Ada Quonsett) Van Heflin (D.O. Guerrero) Maureen Stapleton (Inez Guerrero) Barry Nelson (Anson Harris) Dana Wynter (Cindy Bakersfeld)

George Seaton

A bomber on board an airplane, an airport almost closed by snow, and various personal problems of the people involved.

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10 Great Disaster Movies That Bombed At The Box Office

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• The Airport franchise, starting in the 1970s, set the template for disaster movies with all-star casts facing catastrophic events.
• Over time, the films became more outlandish, with larger budgets, but maintained an impact on popular culture and the disaster movie genre.
• The Concorde...Airport '79 faltered due to a convoluted plot, illogical character decisions, and lackluster special effects, tarnishing the franchise's reputation.

The Airport franchise comprises four movies, varying in quality from decent tension to a level of earnestness that invites laughter, thus establishing the franchise as a distinctive time capsule of the 1970s. Based on Arthur Hailey's 1968 novel of the same name, the series kicked off with the eponymous 1970 film, which set the template for the disaster movie genre that would dominate the decade . Each subsequent installment followed a similar formula, featuring an all-star cast facing a catastrophic event aboard an aircraft or within an airport.

One of Hollywood’s biggest movie franchises , the movies’ over-the-top scenarios, melodramatic performances, and sometimes unintentionally humorous dialogue would later serve as fodder for the classic quotable parody film Airplane! . Despite their flaws, the Airport movies remain a fascinating glimpse into the era's cinematic trends and the public's appetite for grand-scale disaster films. As the series progressed, the films became increasingly outlandish, with larger budgets, more elaborate set pieces, and a revolving door of Hollywood stars. While the quality of the films may have diminished over time, their impact on popular culture and the disaster movie genre is undeniable.

4 The Concorde…Airport ‘79 (1979)

Directed by david lowell rich, the concorde... airport '79 (1979).

The Concorde...Airport '79 is a movie that exemplifies the pitfalls of a franchise stretched too thin. The plot, centered around an arms-dealing conspiracy, is convoluted and nonsensical, detracting from the survivalist charm that made the previous installments engaging. While the film features plenty of airplane action, the narrative feels haphazard and disjointed, with plot points seemingly designed to pad out the runtime rather than drive the story forward. One of the most glaring issues with The Concorde...Airport '79 is the abundance of characters making illogical decisions . These characters seem to exist solely to keep the movie going.

The special effects in The Concorde...Airport '79 are another point of weakness. While the Concorde itself is an impressive aircraft, the shabby and unconvincing special effects fail to do it justice . The film's climax, involving a harrowing landing on a ski slope, does deliver some excitement, but it is not enough to redeem the film's numerous shortcomings.

Perhaps the most egregious example of the film's narrative failings is the abrupt and unsatisfying resolution of the main villain's storyline. The villain's sudden decision to take his own life at the end of the film feels tacked on and lacks any sense of narrative coherence or emotional impact. This rushed and poorly conceived conclusion further underscores the film's overall lack of quality and attention to detail.

The Concorde...Airport '79 serves as a cautionary tale for the dangers of overextending a franchise. The film's failure, coupled with the release of the best parody movie of all time , Airplane!, the following year, highlights the need for fresh ideas and innovative storytelling in the aviation disaster genre. While the Concorde itself remains an impressive and iconic aircraft, this film fails to do it justice, instead delivering a muddled and unsatisfying cinematic experience .

Rent or buy The Concorde... Airport '79 on Prime Video.

3 Airport ‘77 (1977)

Directed by jerry jameson, airport '77 (1977).

Airport '77 takes the franchise in a wackier direction, embracing the craziness of its premise involving an airliner crashing in the Bermuda Triangle. While the science behind the film is questionable at best, requiring a significant suspension of disbelief, the plot involving hijackers and the resulting underwater situation manages to maintain a level of suspense and intrigue . The film's ability to keep the viewer's attention despite its far-fetched premise is a testament to its engaging storytelling.

The all-star cast, though not given much to work with in terms of character development, adds a layer of nostalgia and star power to the film . Seeing these legendary actors, such as James Stewart, in the later stages of their careers is a reminder of the changing landscape of Hollywood. Despite the limited screen time, the presence of these iconic actors adds a certain charm to the film.

One of the more interesting aspects of Airport '77 is the claimed accuracy of the Navy rescue sequence, which is said to resemble a submarine rescue operation. This attention to detail, even if only in one specific aspect of the film, adds a level of authenticity and realism to an otherwise fantastical premise . It demonstrates the filmmakers' efforts to ground certain elements of the story in reality, even as the overall narrative ventures into more outlandish territory.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The pacing can be dreary at times, with the famous actors seemingly going through the motions for a paycheck. The plot, while engaging in its own way, relies heavily on convenient circumstances and coincidences to move the story forward. These shortcomings prevent Airport '77 from reaching the heights of its predecessors in terms of overall quality and impact.

Airport '77 represents a shift in the franchise towards more outlandish and far-fetched premises. While the film manages to maintain a level of suspense and intrigue, thanks in part to its engaging plot and the presence of iconic actors, it is ultimately held back by its reliance on convenient storytelling and a lack of depth in its characters. Despite these flaws, Airport '77 remains an entertaining entry in the series , offering a glimpse into the evolving nature of the disaster film genre and the enduring appeal of its star-studded cast.

Airport '77 is available to stream on Netflix.

These disaster movies that did not perform well at the box office are still worth watching for fans of the genre.

2 Airport 1975 (1974)

Directed by jack smight, airport 1975 (1974).

In a departure from its predecessor, Airport 1975 embraces a more gonzo approach to storytelling. It presents a series of seemingly far-fetched scenarios in an attempt to keep engagement high through sheer audacity. While the film's premise and execution may be difficult to take seriously, it is precisely this willingness to push the boundaries of plausibility that makes Airport 1975 a compelling watch.

Many of the most memorable moments from Airplane! find their origins in Airport 1975 , including the subplot involving a nun and a young girl in need of medical attention. The scene where the nun plays the girl's guitar, which was so effectively parodied in Airplane!, is a prime example of how the film's earnestness can be both endearing and unintentionally humorous. This blurring of the line between drama and comedy is a defining characteristic of Airport 1975 , and it is this quality that sets it apart from its more serious-minded predecessor.

Another iconic element of the film is the " no one left to fly the plane " scenario, which has become a staple of the disaster movie genre. While the idea itself may seem far-fetched, the film manages to sell the urgency of the situation through the convincing performance of the stewardess who finds herself thrust into the role of impromptu pilot. However, t he film's commitment to this high-stakes premise is somewhat undermined by the curiously mild depiction of the damage to the cockpit , with only a slight breeze entering through the gaping hole in the co-pilot's area.

Despite these shortcomings, Airport 1975 remains an entertaining entry in the franchise, thanks in large part to its star-studded cast and the sheer audacity of its plot. While it may not reach the heights of the original in terms of dramatic weight or technical achievement, the film succeeds in delivering a fast-paced and engaging adventure. Airport 1975 remains a notable example of the enduring appeal of the disaster movie formula , and a testament to the power of a talented ensemble cast to elevate even the most outlandish of premises.

Stream Airport 1975 on Netflix.

1 Airport (1970)

Directed by george seaton, airport (1970).

The film that kickstarted the franchise, Airport, delivers a decent amount of white-knuckled suspense and melodrama . While the various subplots involving the personal lives of the characters may not always pay off in full, they serve to add depth and humanity to the overall narrative. The real strength of the film lies in its gripping climax, which is enough to want to see what happens next.

The ensemble cast, including Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, and Jean Seberg, brings a sense of charm to the narrative. Each actor delivers a solid performance , effectively conveying the emotional stakes of their respective storylines. While some of these subplots, such as the various affairs, may not always resolve in the most satisfying manner, they nonetheless contribute to the overall tapestry of the film, creating a rich and complex world that feels alive and authentic.

Where Airport truly shines is in its thrilling final act. The tension builds steadily throughout the film, as the stakes are raised when a bomb threat places everyone in mortal danger. The exceptional pacing and expert building of tension during this final act are a testament to the skill of director George Seaton and the talented cast.

From a technical standpoint, Airport is a decently-crafted film that makes excellent use of its budget. The special effects, while perhaps not as impressive by today's standards, were groundbreaking for their time and still hold up well. Airport 's attention to detail, particularly in its depiction of the inner workings of an airport and the procedures involved in air travel, adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall experience.

Airport sets a solid foundation for the films that would follow. It is a strong entry in its own right, offering a compelling mix of drama, suspense, and human interest. Its success at the box office and its impact on popular culture cannot be overstated, as it helped to establish the disaster film genre as a viable and profitable avenue for Hollywood studios. Airport is a well-crafted and engaging film that offers solid entertainment value for its runtime. While it may not be perfect, it remains a strong entry in the Airport franchise.

Airport is available to stream on Netflix.

Netflix movie of the day: Airport is a star-studded disaster movie that's hard to take seriously

Airport might have taken off in 1970, but it doesn't stick the landing today

Every day, we cut through the bottomless list of streaming options and recommend something to watch. See all our  Netflix movie of the day  picks, or our  Prime Video movie of the day  choices.

The 1970s were a golden age for disaster movies. You couldn't pass a theater without seeing posters for movies where planes, trains, cruise ships, or skyscrapers would be stuffed with famous faces and then crashed, set on fire, sunk, or blown up. Of such genre fare, the Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin-starring Airport (out now on Netflix ) was one of the best but, in a world where disaster spoof Airplane! ridiculed the very movies it was inspired by, it's exceptionally hard to watch Airport without giggling in the 21st century.

Like many stellar disaster movies, Airport asked a simple question: what if someone had the worst day at work ever, and then it got worse? That person is Burt Lancaster's Mel Bakersfield, the general manager of a Chicagoan airport as his personal life gets messy and a massive snowstorm rolls in. Just when you're thinking "well, at least there isn't a mad bomber threatening to blow up an airliner!", a mad bomber threatens to, well, do just that.

• Watch Airport on Netflix

Airport: it felt silly then, and it's even sillier now

Airport is an old movie – it's over 50 years since its initial launch – and it felt old when it was released. Indeed, The New York Times called it "an immensely silly film" at the time, adding: "Here is a film, made in the space age, in which the sight of an elderly nun guzzling an ounce of brandy is meant to bring an indulgent chuckle and in which intellectualism, in the person of a smart aleck, sissy kid is told off by the forces of common sense, in the person of Dean Martin. Airport has an interior clock that came to a stop – I'd estimate – about 1939."

Reviewing the film around its release, famous critic Roger Ebert described it as "metaphysically absurd", "ridiculous", and full of stereotypes. Taking aim at the passengers themselves, he hit out at the cliched nature of the cast roster, which included "a priest, two nuns, three doctors, a stowaway, a customs officer's niece, a pregnant stewardess, two black GIs [US soldiers], a loudmouthed kid, a henpecked husband, and Dean Martin." 

It's a template that Airplane! would have tremendous fun with and, unfortunately for Airport , if you've seen that movie, you won't make it through this one without laughing at how unintentionally hilarious it is. Definitely one you won't see added to our best Netflix movies guide but, if you fancy a good laugh, there are few better non-comedy films to giggle and smirk along to on the world's best streaming service .

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Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall ( Twitter ) has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man , is on sale now. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock band HAVR .

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"We waste our money so you don't have to."

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Movie Review

US Release Date: 05-05-1970

Directed by: George Seaton

Starring ▸ ▾

• Burt Lancaster ,  as
• Mel Bakersfeld
• Dean Martin ,  as
• Capt. Vernon Demerest
• Jean Seberg ,  as
• Tanya Livingston
• Jacqueline Bisset ,  as
• Gwen Meighen
• George Kennedy ,  as
• Joe Patroni
• Helen Hayes ,  as
• Ada Quonsett
• Van Heflin ,  as
• D. O. Guerrero
• Maureen Stapleton ,  as
• Inez Guerrero
• Barry Nelson ,  as
• Capt. Anson Harris
• Lloyd Nolan ,  as
• Harry Standish
• Barbara Hale ,  as
• Sarah Bakersfeld Demerest
• Gary Collins ,  as
• Virginia Grey ,  as
• Mrs. Schultz
• Mary Jackson ,  as
• Sister Felice
• Jessie Royce Landis ,  as
• Mrs. Harriet DuBarry Mossman
• Dana Wynter as

Dean Martin in Airport .

Airport launched the disaster movie craze of the 1970's and spawned 3 sequels. It was also one of the last movies to be produced by the legendary Ross Hunter, whose trademark was larger than life Hollywood glamour at a time when society was rapidly gaining a more casual rock and roll sensibility. This mix of old-fashioned Hollywood sophistication combined with a cynical view of the modern world formed the template for all the big-budget disaster movies that followed. Each of these successive movies featured an impressive cast of famous stars of the past and present.

Adapted from the bestselling novel by Arthur Hailey about life at Lincoln International Airport. This Midwestern hub airport managed by Mel Bakersfield (Lancaster) is dealing with its worst snowstorm in years. Things go from bad to worse when a plane gets stuck blocking a vital runway, a little old lady stowaway is discovered (Helen Hayes in her Oscar winning role) and it is learned that a deranged man with a bomb is on board one of the flights. There is also plenty of melodrama thrown in for extra flavor.

Today this movie seems dated and chauvinistic. Especially the relationship between married pilot Dean Martin and stewardess Jacqueline Bisset, but it is an accurate rendering of the times. George Kennedy adds to the machismo and he has the distinction of being the only person to appear in all 4 Airport movies.

Helen Hayes steals every scene she is in and provides most of the comic relief. Maureen Stapleton, on the other hand, is the emotional core of the story and she has the most dramatic scene in the movie when she rushes through the airport apologizing agonizingly to the surviving passengers for what her husband did.

It's a tad long and a bit slow but all in all the original Airport remains a pretty decent movie.

Helen Hayes in Airport

Patrick is not kidding when he wrote that this movie is chauvinistic. Burt Lancaster's wife is a shrew, who bitches about Lancaster staying too long at work and missing dinner. When married pilot Dean Martin jokingly suggests to his stewardess/mistress that she and her female friends start their own airline, she says that she thought of that, only she does not have a pilot. Dean Martin then makes with this zinger, "With the kind of fringe benefits you girls have to offer, I could get you a crew right now." Gloria Steinem must have loved this movie, where women are only appreciated in the kitchen and the bedroom.

That all makes for some dated laughs but that is also one of the film's flaws. The movie goes on and on about what a miserable marriage Lancaster has. All we need was one little phone call, not two, a flashback montage and a conversation with an attractive co-worker that Lancaster allows to get far too close. When the bitchy wife shows up at the airport and tells him she has met someone else, I lost all interest. Martin's girlfriend telling him she is pregnant and that she does not expect anything from him is groan inducing. I felt nothing for a woman who got knocked up by a man she knew was married and I felt nothing for the married man who impregnated her.

The very best Airport has to offer is the stellar cast. If you know movies, you will have fun seeing so many stars throughout. Patrick appropriately complimented Helen Hayes. Not only does she steal every scene she is in, but she won the Academy Award for best supporting actress. After getting caught stowing away, she still expects to get waited on and even complains about the in flight meal. She easily outsmarts the young man assigned to watch her while they wait for her return flight to take off. Her method for getting onto a plane for free, does however, seem far too simplistic.

Patrick wrote that this film started the disaster craze of the 1970s. Although it ends with one, it is first and foremost a soap opera. It focuses on several melodramatic plots that touch each other more and more as the film goes on. Helen Hayes ends up sitting next to the bomber on the airplane. The film does not become tense until the hour and 40 minute mark, when they try to get the brief case away from the bomber. The scene is unintentionally funny. Stewardess Bisset bitch slaps 70 year old Hayes and a minute later pilot Martin says out loud, where passengers can hear, that the man has a bomb. I want to fly with that airline. No wonder someone thought to parody this mess, and don't even get me started on all of the split screens.

Burt Lancaster and George Kennedy in Airport .

As Eric wrote, this movie feels like a soap opera. In fact, it runs so long that it almost feels like a whole television season's worth of soap opera. They've since done documentaries and spoofs of life at an airport, but I'm surprised that no one has tried to do a dramatic series about it, particularly given the success of this film. There's certainly enough melodrama to go around.

The chauvinism is quite dated and often unintentionally funny, but it also demonstrates what a time capsule this film is. It's no wonder that feminism took off so strongly as a movement in the 1970s when you look at how the women are treated here. In some ways though, the politically incorrect behavior is refreshing. In the PC world of today, studios are so anxious to avoid offending anyone that you almost never see or hear anything like the dialogue spoken by the men in this film.

What really dates this movie however, is the airport security. Or rather, I should say, the absence of airport security. Eric suggested that Helen Hayes' method of boarding the planes for free was too easy, but given that there was basically no security checkpoints, I had little problem accepting that point. Seeing how the bomber was able to take an attache case loaded with dynamite onboard the plane without being questioned, is it any less plausible that an innocent looking little old lady would be able to slip onboard without being noticed?

And speaking of little old ladies, I must add my voice to the chorus of praise aimed at Helen Hayes for her delightful performance as Ada Quonsett. While everyone else at this airport is dealing with extramarital affairs, unexpected pregnancies, divorce and job tensions, she brings some much needed levity to lighten the load. Van Heflin might be playing the bomber, but it's Hayes who hijacks this movie.

This is a soap opera, but then so were all of the disaster films of the 1970s. They always start by introducing the main characters where we learn of some problem or personality trait and then just when we get to know them, some tragedy strikes. It's because of this character buildup before the disaster that we care what happens during the disaster. What makes this movie different is that you can see that they hadn't quite worked out the proper ratio of melodrama to disaster yet. Here it's about 75% to 25% in the wrong direction. Later films in the genre would realize that audiences preferred it more the other way and that you could also combine the disaster with soap opera rather than keeping them separate.

This is a well acted, dated film that plays everything very earnestly. If you can get past that, there is some entertainment to be found. Certainly it could have been improved by chopping out at least 20 minutes of all the soap opera, but even with it all it has something to offer. Perhaps not as much as it once did as somehow this film took in over $100 million at the box office and was the second highest grossing movie of the year, behind only Love Story . Adjusting for inflation that's more than any of The Lord of the Rings films made. It's no wonder that it spawned three sequels. It's only surprising that it took 5 years for the first one to appear.

Photos © Copyright Universal Pictures (1970)

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Directed by George Seaton

The #1 novel of the year - now a motion picture!

Melodrama about a bomber on board an airplane, an airport almost closed by snow, and various personal problems of the people involved.

Burt Lancaster Dana Wynter Dean Martin Barbara Hale Jean Seberg Jacqueline Bisset George Kennedy Jodean Lawrence Helen Hayes John Findlater Van Heflin Maureen Stapleton Barry Nelson Eileen Wesson Robert Patten Paul Picerni Ilana Dowding Lisa Gerritsen Clark Howat Gary Collins Lloyd Nolan Jessie Royce Landis Sandra Gould Janis Hansen William Boyett James Nolan Peter Turgeon Albert Reed Jr. Dick Winslow Show All… Virginia Grey Lou Wagner Whit Bissell Ena Hartman Nancy Ann Nelson Mary Jackson Patty Poulsen Malila Saint Duval Sharon Harvey Shelly Novack Lew Brown Larry Gates Chuck Daniel Charles Brewer Richard Mathews Pat Priest Cathleen Cordell William H. O'Brien Leoda Richards Ray Ballard Chuck Bowman Eve Brent John Dennis John Francis Harry Harvey Gordon Jump Eve McVeagh John Nolan Don Ross Marion Ross Mark Russell Frank J. Scannell Susan Seaforth Hayes

Director Director

George Seaton

Producers Producers

Ross Hunter Jacques Mapes

Writer Writer

Original writer original writer.

Arthur Hailey

Editor Editor

Stuart Gilmore

Cinematography Cinematography

Ernest Laszlo

Assistant Director Asst. Director

Donald Roberts

Lighting Lighting

Everett Lehman

Additional Photography Add. Photography

Loyal Griggs

Art Direction Art Direction

E. Preston Ames Alexander Golitzen

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Mickey S. Michaels Jack D. Moore

Stunts Stunts

Carol Daniels Donna Garrett Joe Gray Dean Smith Don Nagel Bud Walls Bob Yerkes Nick Cravat

Composer Composer

Alfred Newman

Sound Sound

Waldon O. Watson David H. Moriarty Ronald Pierce

Costume Design Costume Design

Makeup makeup.

Bud Westmore

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Larry Germain

Ross Hunter Productions

Primary Language

Spoken languages.

Italian English

Releases by Date

05 mar 1970, 29 may 1970, 01 oct 1970, 26 jan 1999, 10 feb 2004, 15 aug 2012, 28 oct 2002, releases by country, netherlands.

• TV 6 SBS 6
• Physical 6 Blu ray
• Theatrical 12
• Premiere PG New York City, New York
• Theatrical PG
• Physical G DVD Release
• Physical G DVD Release (Box Set)

137 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Sam Meltzer ★★★ 12

Despite taking a seemingly long time to get going, Airport is a pretty great movie. It has been years since I have seen this, and it’s nice to revisit. I can see myself watching it every couple of years. It’s very much a product of its time and that isn’t a bad thing. You can really tell that it came out in the early 70s because it’s not exactly a 60s movie although there are many elements that could make it feel like one. It was mostly filmed in 1969 so that would make sense. It’s a really fun ensemble too. You get to see a lot of famous actors from different generations act together and it’s quite entertaining to…

Review by Mike D'Angelo ★★★½

[originally written on my blog]

Funny to read the contemporaneous reviews of this juggernaut (still one of the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, adjusted for inflation—about $550 million domestic in today's money), which almost uniformly treat it as beneath contempt. Wonder what they'd think if I could zip back there in a time machine and show them what today's equivalent looks like. For a big dumb event movie, it's almost surreally adult by current standards, albeit in a shallow, soapy kind of way; even the ostensible "villain" has an utterly banal, real-world motivation for his behavior, never coming across as anything more than a terrified, desperate loser. Nor would any mass audience today tolerate such a slow, patient,…

Review by Dylan ★★★ 4

An unintentionally comedic yet unquestionably thrilling disaster that works as well as it does because it's essentially a quaint thriller, with a deliciously palpable tension lurking over every motive. You know every narrative element after a while, yet you still want to see how it all plays out. It’s super 70s, and I had a lot of fun.

Helen Hayes sashays into her role with glee. She manages to instill mystical, catatonic mystique in her character while keeping the audience captivated as she puts herself into greater danger. I couldn't really get into it since it was too generically comic for me, but she brought life to what could have been a minor character.

Review by JBird ★★★½

Everyone stops by the 'Port, Hoping the lines are real short. Flying is faster, With no disaster, And price gouging at the food court.

Review by Dave Edwards ★★★

Representing the birth of the 70s disaster movie cycle, Airport was a huge hit upon its release in 1970. Looking back 50+ years on, the genre obviously evolved, fine tuning the tropes, characters, and plot mechanics, which would all calcify by the close of the decade. While Airport’s pacing might be off a smidge and the script is more interested in developing character dynamics than providing the type of thrills associated with a disaster picture, Airport’s third act is satisfying when the crisis transitions from a simmer to a boil. Dean Martin, George Kennedy, and Helen Hayes (who won an Oscar for her work here) deliver some great performances to help you through the down time and get your pulse racing as Airport reaches its climax.

Review by HKFanatic ★★★★

"Airport" was released in theaters in the summer of 1970 (and proved a colossal hit), but the film feels entirely out of time, as though it could have been made a decade or more earlier—perhaps I'm just reacting to the movie's perpetual snowfall and Dean Martin's honey-smooth voice, but this might be the one disaster movie I'd call "cozy." Something tells me it's best viewed on a fuzzy analog TV with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.

Review by Ian Curran ★★ 2

It gets a ❤️ for George Kennedy having an orgasm while trying to free a snowbound aeroplane. Im pretty sure George Kennedy’s O face could’ve freed the Suez Canal.

The schlock-father of 70’s disaster movies. It has everything from a sprawling cast, to infidelity ricocheting off the terminal walls. It also has an inexplicably placed office chandelier and open fireplace.🤷🏻‍♂️

It’s strange that a movie which spawned 3 sequels and inspired countless imitators would be one of the worst entries into the very genre it helped popularise.

Its action and pacing are borderline comatose. There’s at least 20 minutes of old women being interrogated by airport personnel. Its use of time is so wasteful.

Review by Blair Russell ★★★½ 2

While this is a movie I mainly watched due to it being related to something else I plan on seeing soon, I have all four movies in this series on DVD (purchased for dirt cheap at a used store) and will eventually see all of those on my portable Blu-ray player. As a little kid I actually saw The Concorde... Airport '79 but I'll talk about it when that is revisited later in the year. Based on a best-selling novel, this was nominated for Best Picture which does seem a little silly, although Helen Hayes winning an Oscar for her role I won't carp about as her nice old lady character who happens to be a charming gal that is…

Review by Erin 🍺 ★★★

We’re Delta Airlines and 🎶 life is a fucking nightmare 🎶

Review by Sally Jane Black

This film's two biggest strengths are an attention to detail and its careful pacing. These are emphasized most as it lingers over the day-to-day of the airport, the mundanities, the little things that are routine. Even as it begins with a major problem or two, it still takes time to fill you in on little things like customs, PR, noise issues, and technical details that are no more than set dressing... and foreshadowing. It doesn't feel forced. Even the over-the-top aspect of the plot is approached with focus and attention. It's a mechanical plot in some ways, something with a lot of moving parts that are easily lost but also easily fit together.

The film's biggest flaws are thematic, of…

Review by Jessica ★★★½ 2

Much more entertaining than I thought it would be, and not nearly as unintentionally funny (to be fair, from what I've heard, this series doesn't double down on the melodrama until the sequels). I thought the stakes (both emotional and otherwise) were actually pretty well done - not infrequently soap-y, but engaging nonetheless. The sets in this movie, particularly the airplane interior and the interior of one of the character's homes (that we unfortunately only see a couple times), are really cool- (mid-century modern) looking. I thought the "disaster movie"-set aspects were done well. I loved the camera-work/editing in this; a lot of split-screens, which I think probably contributed more to the irony than (a majority, but not all) of…

Review by AndrewC ★★★

It's honestly kind of hard to watch Airport after having seen this film be parodied into oblivion by Airplane! , especially as the movie itself stops just one step shy of being a self-parody with how relentlessly melodramatic it is. The first hour and change is almost nothing but wheel-spinning and corny melodrama amongst the gigantic cast, and it's really not until halfway through that the story actually kicks into gear and then the film becomes somewhat interesting. Before that, Airport is honestly a little rough to sit through but it at least has the benefit of having a star-studded cast, with Helen Hayes (in an Oscar-winning role) in particular being a hoot and the likes of Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin,…

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Search Help Home > Movies > Airport

• READER REVIEWS

Drama, Suspense/Thriller

Ross Hunter

Distributor

Universal Pictures

Release Date

Mar 5, 1970

Release Notes

Airport had enough plot and enough star power in its cast for three feature films, and it only encompassed about half of the complexity or characters found in Arthur Hailey's best-selling potboiler. Essentially built around 12 harrowing hours at a major Midwestern airport, the film had everything an audience of the period could have wanted -- suspense, romance, drama, and comedy -- all spread across a vast canvas. Mel Bakersfeld (Burt Lancaster) is the manager of Lincoln Airport, facing a night beset by the worst blizzard in a decade, a wife (Dana Wynter) who announces she wants a divorce, a primary runway blocked by an airliner stuck in a snowdrift, and a governing board ready to fire him. Bakersfeld's cynical, smooth-talking brother-in-law, Vernon Demerest (Dean Martin), won't let up on his criticism of the management at Lincoln, but he has his own problems as well, mostly in the form of a young stewardess, Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset), who is pregnant by him and whom he finds he genuinely loves. Add to that the presence of an old lady stowaway (Helen Hayes) and a mentally disturbed passenger (Van Heflin) carrying a bomb, and there's more than enough plot to keep viewers engrossed for two hours plus. Airport became one of the top-grossing movies of its era, racking up seven-digit box-office numbers and spawning an entire film genre -- the disaster movie. With Jean Seberg, George Kennedy, Lloyd Nolan, Barry Nelson, and Maureen Stapleton filling out the rest of the leading roles, there was something for almost everyone in this film. The movie still has a lot to offer if only as a prime example of Hollywood at its most successfully glitzy, but, if possible, viewers should try and see the letterboxed version of Airport on DVD (released May 2001).~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide

Based on the novel by Arthur Hailey, over-produced by Ross Hunter with a cast of stars as long as a jet runway, and adapted and directed by George Seaton in a glossy, slick style, Airport is a handsome, often dramatically involving $10 million epitaph to a bygone brand of filmmaking.

By Variety Staff

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However, the ultimate dramatic situation of a passenger-loaded jet liner with a psychopathic bomber aboard that has to be brought into a blizzard-swept airport with runway blocked by a snow-stalled plane actually does not create suspense because the audience knows how it’s going to end.

As the cigar chomping, bull boss of the maintenance men, George Kennedy gives a strong portrayal. But here again there’s not a moment of plot doubt that he is going to get that stuck plane cleared off the runway in time for the emergency landing.

Popular on Variety

1970: Best Supp. Actress (Helen Hayes).

Nominations: Best Picture, Supp Actress (Maureen Stapleton),Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Art Direction, Editing, Original Score, Sound

• Production: Universal. Director George Seaton; Producer Ross Hunter; Writer George Seaton; Camera Ernest Laszlo Editor Stuart Gilmore; Music Alfred Newman Art Alexander Golitzen, Preston Ames
• Crew: (Color) Widescreen. Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1970. Running time: 137 MIN.
• With: Burt Lancaster Dean Martin Jean Seberg Jacqueline Bisset George Kennedy Helen Hayes

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'Challengers' star Mike Faist is from Ohio. More about the actor and his notable roles

• Mike Faist, one of the stars of the 2024 movie 'Challengers,' was born and raised in Gahanna, Ohio.
• Faist's acting passions began with movies, theater, and dancing, and he participated in theater at Gahanna Lincoln High School.

Mike Faist, one of the leads of the recent movie "Challengers," a sports drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino, has been the talk of the town on social media. 

You may have also seen him in the movie "West Side Story " and Broadway musicals like "Newsies" and "Dear Evan Hansen."

But did you know this gifted theater kid was born and raised in Ohio? Here’s what to know about Mike Faist.

Cincinnati in Challengers? Why Zendaya's 'Challengers' film featured a Greater Cincinnati Applebee's

Where was Mike Faist born?

Michael Faist, or Mike, was raised in Gahanna, Ohio by adoptive parents Julia and Kurt Faist, according to People . 

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Gahanna is located northeast of Columbus near John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

How old is Mike Faist?

Faist turned 32 years old in 2024. He was born on Jan. 5, 1992.

How did Faist start acting?

Faist’s acting passions began with movies, theater, and dancing, and he participated in theater at his high school, Gahanna Lincoln High School. 

After graduating at 17, he moved to New York to pursue an acting career. He eventually got roles on Broadway, and his breakthrough role was Connor Murphy in "Dear Evan Hansen."

Mike Faist’s famous co-stars 

Faist has been looming on the screen with starring roles in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of "West Side Story" alongside Rachel Zegler, and just recently Luca Guadagnino’s "Challengers" with Zendaya and Josh O'Connor. 

Review: A parent's guide to 'Challengers': Is Zendaya's new movie appropriate for tweens or teens?

What critics are saying about Challengers

This movie isn’t just about tennis — it’s about three tennis lovers in a dramatic love triangle. 

" Challengers ," a romantic sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, premiered in theaters on April 25.

The film follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis star turned coach attempting to turn her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), into the next tennis champion. But in order to do so, he must face off against her ex-boyfriend Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor).

Challengers received a solid reception with an 88 percent “fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes , based on 319 reviews within a month. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes say Challengers is a “thrilling tennis-set romance that puts the unfiltered love of the game and the highs and lows of unabashed competition to the test in one of the great sporting movies of our time”. 

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Airport 1975

A 747 in flight collides with a small plane, and is rendered pilotless. Somehow the control tower must get a pilot aboard so the jet can land. A 747 in flight collides with a small plane, and is rendered pilotless. Somehow the control tower must get a pilot aboard so the jet can land. A 747 in flight collides with a small plane, and is rendered pilotless. Somehow the control tower must get a pilot aboard so the jet can land.

• Jack Smight
• Arthur Hailey
• Don Ingalls
• Charlton Heston
• Karen Black
• George Kennedy
• 140 User reviews
• 50 Critic reviews
• 50 Metascore
• 1 nomination

• Alan Murdock

• Nancy Pryor

• Joe Patroni

• Captain Stacy

• Helen Patroni

• Sister Ruth

• Janice Abbott

• Scott Freeman

• Mrs. Devaney

• Major John Alexander

• Mrs. Abbott

• Glenn Purcell

• Sister Beatrice

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Shooting overlapped somewhat with the tail end of production on Universal Pictures' Earthquake (1974) , forcing Charlton Heston , George Kennedy , cinematographer Philip H. Lathrop , and producer Jennings Lang to juggle their schedules between the two films. This film was released first.
• Goofs When the two passengers look out the right side of the 747, they notice fuel leaking from the wing. However, when it reaches the rear flaps, some of the fuel simply drips vertically down off the rear edge of the wing, indicating no rearward airflow to the underside of the wing, revealing the 747 is motionless.

Oringer : Is there much damage?

Joe Patroni : No, not much, theres just a hole where the pilots usually sit.

• Connections Edited into Emergency!: The Stewardess (1975)
• Soundtracks Best Friend Lyrics and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton (as R. Burton) Sung by Helen Reddy

User reviews 140

• lbworshiper
• May 12, 2003

Everything New on Netflix in May

• How long is Airport 1975? Powered by Alexa
• October 18, 1974 (United States)
• United States
• Airport '75
• Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA
• Universal Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $3,000,000 (estimated)

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 47 minutes

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Salman Khan, Kiara Advani & Pooja Hegde snapped at the airport

Another busy night at the airport as several stars were seen arriving in style. While Kiara Advani strutted in post attending the Women in Cinema Gala dinner at Cannes 2024, Salman Khan and Pooja Hegde were seen departing for other work commitments. They all kept it effortless and casual with their airport looks. Kiara looked stunning in a white tank top layered with a printed jacket and blue denims. Salman Khan sported a black shirt with quirky denim pants and Pooja Hegde opted for a black crop top with matching cargo pants. Check out the pictures here:

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