Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

City on Fire Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 10, 2016

With disaster movies all the rage in the 1970s, producers were scrambling to figure out ways to inspire the cinematic possibilities of mass panic and destruction. Horror hit the airlines, amusement parks, outer space, and boats, but fire was a particular obsession for a few of these titles, with 1974’s “The Towering Inferno” a prime example of the Irwin Allen formula that would go on to bewitch audiences for nearly a decade. Adding to screen chaos is 1979’s “City on Fire,” which amplifies a roaring threat to a community-wide scope, inviting a cast of the famous and the desperate to fill mediocre roles, adding a degree of recognition to a routine of burning buildings and streets. Directed by Alvin Rakoff (“Death Ship”), “City on Fire” is obvious, playing directly into subgenre expectations as it lovingly details loss of life and urban annihilation, but the helmer does manage to make an entertaining feature out of recycled parts. While it’s far from a riveting dramatic achievement, the picture has its charms, blending the work of semi-committed actors with scenes of explosive panic, carrying enough hysteria to deliver a suitable disaster extravaganza.

Having inherited a fortune after the death of her rich and influential husband, Diana (Susan Clark) has returned to her hometown to help open a hospital ward she donated money for, though one built with inferior materials, disturbing Dr. Frank (Barry Newman). The man behind such dangerous frugality is corrupt Mayor Dudley (Leslie Nielsen), who’s carrying on an affair with Diana, with predatory photographers trying to snap a picture of the couple together. Mayor Dudley also approved the construction of an oil refinery in the middle of the city, exposing locals to pollution in his hunt for an easy buck. Newly fired from his job, refinery worker Herman (Jonathan Welsh), decides on payback, sneaking around the facility before he leaves, sabotaging the system to a point where it explodes, leaking oil into water supplies and commencing an unstoppable fire that tears through the area. With the inferno raging out of control, television coverage proves important, hosted by local anchor Maggie (Ava Gardner), a drunk struggling with her professional duties. While Diana and Dr. Frank work diligently to help patients in need, facing an overwhelming number of injured people, Mayor Dudley figures out a way to slip out of blame, positioning himself as a hero as the fire engulfs the metropolis.

The screenplay (co-written by Jack Hill) offers a straightforward take on disaster movie formula, never coloring outside the lines when it comes to arranging the burning violence to come. Character introductions take up the first act, welcoming viewers with careful exposition and time with disgruntled employee Herman, whose lust for revenge after being relieved of his job is only bested by his interest in charming Diana, a former high school classmate he never actually met back in the day. Herman is a nut, but it takes time before he inspires blazing fury, with the rest of “City on Fire” getting caught up with Mayor Dudley and his slippery ways, which extend to a limited water supply -- a discovery he’d rather keep hidden away from the press and concerned citizens. Dr. Frank is also on edge, asked to play nice for a dedication ceremony despite having issues with the hospital and its potential unreliability.

Characterizations are handled effectively, albeit with cartoon extremes at times, but Rakoff does a satisfactory job guiding community activity, juggling concerns and accidents, including an early peek at disaster when a pre-teen cigarette sampling goes awry, resulting in a home blaze that tests the efficiency of the local fire department, overseen by Chief Risely (Henry Fonda, in the “I’ll do anything” phase of his career). Once everyone is in position, Herman’s wrath begins, setting off a series of explosions at the refinery, allowing oil to leak across the city and ignite, causing total destruction. “City on Fire” follows multiple players in the game as they deal with survival challenges and separation, with a woman going into labor during the emergency and the cigarette boy trying to remain by his injured sister’s side, tending to a bird gifted to the unconscious girl. In the hospital, Dr. Frank tries to manage problems and bodies, and “City on Fire” finds the most highlights here, watching medical professionals (including Shelley Winters as a nurse) deal with complications and evacuation, while still tending to interpersonal issues. Also engaging is stunt work, with plenty of fire gags and exploding people to add surprises along the way.

City on Fire Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

A brief note is placed at the beginning of the presentation, sharing news that the Blu-ray version of "City of Fire" has been created from multiple sources, leading to a few gaps in quality. It's a warning that's welcome, but concern is unnecessary, as the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation remains appealing and consistent, rarely showcasing any significant issues. Points of damage remain, including rough reel changes and numerous vertical scratches, but the Frankenstein's Monster-esque source doesn't expose anything that torches the viewing experience. Detail is strong, locating textures on the cast and sets, allowing a survey of production achievements in special effects and ornamentation. Colors are pleasing, with flames retaining their orange heat and costuming maintaining period hues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is comfortable. Grain is managed to satisfaction.

City on Fire Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is where wear and tear are more obviously detected, navigating dulled dialogue exchanges, with a few passages difficult to understand. Emotional surges and group activity is identified, but never precise. Scoring is also flat, but dramatic intent is retained. Atmospherics are loud, often competing with performances. Sound effects register as intended, keeping their volume to sell fiery encounters.

City on Fire Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A T.V. Spot (:32, SD) is included.

City on Fire Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The blaze is the centerpiece of "City on Fire," which uses crude special effects and stock footage to expand the inferno's reach, trying to come off as a larger picture than it actually is. It runs a bit too long as well, with the roaring fires and pandemonium growing a little tiring by the third act. The feature needs a tighter edit, but it can't pull away from the extreme heat, continually dreaming up ways to threatened characters and disrupt safety procedures, with little bits of comedy working to periodically lighten the atmosphere. "City on Fire" is simplistically designed, but this eagerness to entertain with unspeakable horrors helps the film achieve its modest creative goals, delivering the type of panic disaster fans demand from their screen offerings. The movie is positioned as serious business, opening with a warning that the madness presented here isn't fictitious, but a possibility. However, it soon becomes clear that Rakoff is more interested in building a blockbuster than ringing an environmental alarm.