City on Fire is a 1979 Canadian-American disaster thriller film directed by Alvin Rakoff and starring Barry Newman, Leslie Nielsen, and Shelley Winters. The movie follows the story of a dedicated city engineer trying to prevent a catastrophic fire from consuming an entire city block.
City on Fire – Movie Trailer
Brief Overview
City on Fire is a highly suspenseful disaster movie that highlights how a small mistake can lead to a catastrophic disaster. The movie depicts the magnitude of the damage such a fire can cause, leaving everyone scrambling to save lives from the burning building. With a gripping plotline, City on Fire stands out as one of the most exciting movies of the era.
What is City on Fire About?
City on Fire is an intense and realistic portrayal of what happens during a fire, and how firefighters and city officials work tirelessly to save as many lives as possible. The movie centers around a fire that begins in a jewelry store, quickly spreading to the entire building while trapping a large number of people inside. With the clock ticking, the city engineer (played by Barry Newman) desperately tries to save as many people as possible while the firefighters work to contain the blaze.
Why You Should Watch City on Fire?
If you love action-packed and suspenseful disaster movies, City on Fire is a must-watch. With an excellent cast and realistic depiction of disaster management, this movie leaves you on the edge of your seat during every scene. If you are a fan of cult classic disaster movies such as Towering Inferno, you will enjoy City on Fire.
Cast
The movie boasts an excellent cast with some of the most prominent names in the industry. Some of the key actors include:
- Barry Newman as Dr. Frank Whitman
- Leslie Nielsen as Police Commissioner Jim Stevens
- Shelley Winters as Nurse Andrea Harper
- Susan Clark as Maggie Grayson
- Martin Sheen as Mayor William Dudley
- Vincent Gardenia as the Fire Chief
- Ava Gardner as the Theater Manager
- Henry Fonda as the Chairman of the Committee
Synopsis
The storyline of City on Fire revolves around a group of people trapped inside a jewelry store after a fire breaks out and quickly spreads to the entire building. The city engineer, Dr. Whitman, attempts to save as many lives as possible, working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Meanwhile, the police commissioner struggles to maintain law and order as the city is gripped in chaos, with looters and rioters taking advantage of the situation.
Plot
The movie begins with a heist at a jewelry store, where a group of criminals accidentally sets off a spark, starting a fire. The fire quickly spreads to the entire building, trapping the customers and employees inside. Dr. Whitman, the city engineer, arrives at the scene and works alongside the firefighters to contain the blaze and save as many lives as possible.
However, the situation continued to worsen as several people are still trapped inside the burning building. As rescue attempts are made, the fire spreads to the nearby buildings, and the situation becomes more dire. The Police Commissioner Jim Stevens tries to maintain order in the city, but the situation is out of control with looters and rioters taking advantage of the chaos.
The movie reaches its climactic moment when the titular city block is engulfed in flames. Dr. Whitman desperately tries to stop the spread of the fire while rescuing all those still trapped. The scene ends with Dr. Whitman holding a little girl and walking out of the burning building, and the firefighters finally managing to put out the fire.
Review
City on Fire is a fantastic movie that highlights the importance of great storytelling and realistic portrayal of disaster management. The movie is a masterpiece of storytelling, capturing the audience’s attention from the beginning to the end. The exceptional acting of Barry Newman, Leslie Nielsen, and Shelley Winters, among others, ensure the viewer becomes invested in the story and characters.
The tension-building scenes are unforgettable, and the direction is outstanding, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. The storyline is plausible and realistic, making City on Fire a brilliant portrayal of a devastating situation. It is evident that the filmmakers took great care to research and accurately depict the disaster management protocols, making City on Fire one of the most realistic disaster movies of that era.
Characters & Performance
The cast of City on Fire is exceptional, with brilliant performances that bring the characters to life. Barry Newman’s portrayal of Dr. Frank Whitman is outstanding, conveying the genuine concern for the people trapped inside the building. Leslie Nielsen’s performance as the Police Commissioner is fantastic, bringing a sense of grit and determination to his role. Shelley Winters is perfect as Nurse Andrea Harper, bringing the much-needed empathy to her role.
Effects
The special effects in City on Fire are incredible, especially considering that the movie was released in 1979. The depiction of the fire and destruction is entirely convincing and realistic, adding to the tension of the movie. The practical effects, such as explosions and collapsing buildings, are also well done, making City on Fire a visual treat. The use of real firemen as extras and the attention to detail highlights the filmmakers’ commitment to a realistic portrayal of what happens during a fire.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for City on Fire does an exceptional job accentuating the movie’s tension and emotion. The movie’s main theme, composed by William Goldstein, is perfect for the film, highlighting the sense of urgency in the storyline and the characters’ desperation.
Cinematography
The cinematography in City on Fire is exquisite, with impeccable shots and well-thought-out angles. The use of various camera techniques, including close-ups, panning shots, and wide-angle shots, adds to the audience’s immersion in the movie. Furthermore, the dark lighting and orange glow created by the fire add to the movie’s suspense and visual appeal.
Directing
The direction of City on Fire is fantastic, with Alvin Rakoff bringing a unique style and vision to the movie. The attention to detail and accuracy in portraying disaster management perfectly complements the tense moments and realistic portrayal of the story. Rakoff created a masterpiece that stands out as one of the best and most inspirational disaster movies of all time.
Popular Streaming Platforms
The movie is available on various streaming platforms, including:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Google Play Store
- iTunes
- YouTube
How to Watch City on Fire Online
You can watch City on Fire online by subscribing to one of the streaming services where the movie is available. Choose a streaming platform that suits your budget and preferences, then search for the movie by name. You can choose to rent, purchase, or stream the movie on most platforms. Once you find the movie, click on it to start watching.
Rental and Purchase Options, Pricing and Available Formats
The movie rental price on Amazon Prime Video ranges from $2.99 to $3.99, depending on your location. Google Play rents City on Fire for $2.99 for HD and $1.99 for SD. On iTunes, the movie can be rented for $3.99 in HD and $2.99 in SD.
The movie’s purchase price on Amazon Prime Video is around $10.99 to $14.99. Google Play Store sells City on Fire for $9.99, with the option of purchasing both the HD and SD versions. On iTunes, the standard definition (SD) version of the movie can be purchased for $9.99, while the high-definition (HD) version costs $14.99.
Free Streaming Options
Although City on Fire is available for rental and purchase on various streaming platforms, there are not many options available for free streaming. However, some subscription services offer a free trial period, allowing you to watch City on Fire without incurring any cost.
Torrenting and Piracy Warning
Torrenting and piracy are illegal and unethical practices that should be avoided at all costs. There are various legal ways to watch City on Fire, including renting or purchasing it on various streaming platforms. Engaging in piracy not only puts you at risk of violating the law but also exposes your device to malware and viruses.
VPNs for Geo-Restrictions
Using a VPN is a great way to bypass geo-restrictions and access City on Fire from anywhere in the world. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, masking your IP address and making it difficult for your ISP to monitor your online activities. By connecting to a server in a different country, you can access the movie as if you were in that country.
Recommendations
If you are a fan of suspenseful and intense disaster movies, City on Fire is a must-watch. With its realistic portrayal of disaster management, excellent cast, and fantastic directing, City on Fire has it all—excitement, suspense, and action-packed scenes. This movie is a masterpiece of storytelling and a testament to the attention to detail and research that goes into creating such realistic disaster movies. So, sit back, and enjoy the thrilling ride that is City on Fire.
