Never understood why the architect said, "Hang on, I'll tell 'em." He could've just as easily finished the conversation, hung up, and _then_ tell the crowd. Overthinking on the part of the scriptwriters, overdramatisation.
I saw this movie when it first came out in the theaters. Anyone who wasn't already a Steve McQueen fan became one right then and there when he said those two words "Oh shit". There audience went nuts! Remember that you just didn't hear that kind of language in movies back then. May he and Paul rest in peace.
All The President's Men had an F-bomb or two, but I think I read somewhere that as long as it was not used in a sexual context, it could still work in a PG. It was not long before this that even one F-word could have lead to an X rating (it was not just for sex, but also violence & language). PG-13 was still a decade away.
I was an extra in the bleachers in the grand opening dedication scene. It was filmed around midnight and because it was so windy and there were no trees to block the wind it was icy cold on that plaza and all of us including the actors, firemen, directors, & crew were just about frozen.
One of the best scenes from The Towering Inferno, especially when Steve McQueen says, "Oh, they'll find some dumb sob to bring it up", LOL, Classical scene
I always loved the part where McQueen says.. "Its out of control and its coming your way" You just know that desperate measures are next. The fantastic climax. One of my fav 70's flicks.
Wish McQueen and Eastwood could of done Apocalypse Now . McQueen was Spielberg's first choice for Close Encounters .Wish McQueen would of agreed to do it . In fact every big movie made after 1974 McQueen was everyone's first choice . He made 3 some say lousy movies . Two of which he was contractually obligated to do : Enemy of the People and Tom Horn . He did just to get out from under First Artists a company he hated . And the movie The Hunter . Then he became ill and died .
I feel so lucky that these guys were my heros as a kid in the 70s. Watching that as a 7 year old on a cold xmas night will never be beat. I spend the entire xmas rescuing my toys from buildings and my top solder was promoted to Steve Macqueen
@@lesliejohnson1549LOL. i was born August that year the day Nixon said he was resigning. Hard to believe this film and I are 50. Did your Barbies head survive? i think its great 😂
Dabney Coleman did a really believable job as well. Watch his reaction when Steve asks how he is going to get back down after setting the explosives. Love this movie!
I think Coleman's performance is one of the best even though it's so small. The look in his eyes, the way he blows off that fireman , it shows the gravity of the moment. " we've already made the decision " he's not dicking around its minus seventeen minutes and counting before everyone is dead period. He shows you life's harsh reality.
Both Newman and McQueen are impressive. The chemistry between them works amazingly well. No wonder they were both top billed (with some studio marketing tricks that is). They both carry the movie, they're both heroic, and the both shine.
I was 11 years old when my mother took me to see this at rhe theater in 1974. My mom and I were not close and watching this together with her is my most cherished memory.
That chill you get when McQueen says... "Its outta control and its coming your way". You feel that shift of excitement like "What's next?" The whole film jumps up another level right here. Setting up the climax.
Steve McQueen was one of the greatest movie stars who ever lived. You don't seem to find actors like that these days. Whatever you think of the TI, he and Paul Newman made that film... and two pairs of pale blue eyes.
It's not true that they couldn't stand each other. They were simply very, very competitive. Throughout the filming they had a lot of fun with each other, cracking up the other actors during the lengthy shoot. Before TI came out, Newman was the top box office star, with McQueen right at his heels. This movie solidified McQueen at the top of the A list.
This had to be the best collaboration between 2 top movie studios-namely Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox. Kudos to Paul Newman and Steve McQueen for their collaboration as well!
I have always loved this part and especially McQueen's "oh shit" response, love it!! The way he says it really expresses' his "I'm fuc##d" feelings. Great movie, classic, and really represents the SFFD and their traditions well!!
I like the scene in the elevator shaft when the fireman says, "I'll fall. I know, I'll fall". And Steve McQueen says, "OK. Then you better got first, so you don't take us with you".
The Fireman who says "I'll Fall ,I'll know I'll Fall" is played by Paul Newman's son the late Scott Newman 1950-1978 ,He was only 28 when he passed away,Hard to believe that,But he was great in this scene with Steve McQueen.
Seen this movie an untold number of times, and just watched this clip again. Going on record that this sequence setting the scene for the showier action climax of TI is some of the best stuff ever put on celluloid. From how the wrinkle in the plot (the fire is now completely out of control & has to be dealt with in the most drastic of measures) is introduced here and is moved past as expeditiously as possible (Coleman cutting off the structural engineering expert as he begins to wax on) so they can get on with the action (all with defusing moments of gallows humor!). Credit Guillerman, Stirling Silliphant especially, Fred Koenekamp, editors Carl Kress & Harold Kress for making it what it is. McQueen's & Coleman's acting here is deceptively brilliant -- simple, unadorned, honest -- and is the icing on the cake to this scene. This little scene for Coleman ranks with his best acting in any other movie. Seriously. Cut to the phone call with Newman and you have a flat out, satisfyingly brilliant button line (McQueen's) to this entire beat of the movie. McQueen is exponentially better in this sequence alone than in any other of his films, that it affirms for me Towering Inferno is by far the best performance he ever gave. And I've seen the entire McQueen oeuvre. BTW, for a guy whose legend as a movie star is practically unassailable (and I would agree with that assessment), Steve appeared in a whole lotta junk in his career.
On another post, someone asked if Dabney was fated to play unlikable people his whole career. Yes, his Mr. Hart in 9 To 5 is hard to shake, but at least in this scene, he is more matter-of-fact, leveling with O'Halloran that he may not come back down alive.
GREAT effects here - this was all done with models & miniatures and looks actuall better than any CGI could hope for. Dabney Coleman almost steals the show as the Navy captain - great performance!
The acting is superb. The look of the men's faces when Doug (Paul Newman) is on the phone is brilliant. The desperation and anxiety is portrayed perfectly.
Right on man! And I DO mean _"Right On"_ because I grew up in that era and know exactly what you are talking about. I saw this in the theater after _"Earthquake"_ with Sensurround. And as you suggested, this movie exploded with fine performances. Speaking of the honorable Dabney Coleman, his brief performance in _'Cinderella Liberty'_ about a year or two before was terrific as well - and that was only a brief appearance in the movie as well. Another actor that was before his time and deserves to be recognized for more than his role in 9-to-5 flick.
I got to see this in the theater when it first came out, because Disney's The Strongest Man in The World (I think that was the sequel to The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes) was sold out. Ten other kids from my 3rd grade class were there with me (it was my 8th birthday). Of course, we were thrilled when Steve McQueen said "oh, shit."
I think one of the best scenes from this movie of Steve McQueen, was when he rescued the scenic elevator after an explosion, had it hanging, with 12people in it, but loosing one as she fell, then SMqn, came to the rescue by cutting the cable & placed a winch hook, attached to the helicopter above to pull the Scenic elevator free & as the cable was cut loose, another explosion happened, with the fireman helping SMqn, or chief Ohalloran, nearly falling & Smqn, quickly grabbed that fireman & held onto his hands for dear life to stop him from falling to his death & thou I know it’s only acting & there wouldn’t had been a great fall, just the determination on chief Ohallrans face, was more than enough to know, how good Steve Mqueen as a actor was, in acting out that dangerous part of the movie. Honestly, along with other great movies of old that I have watched so many times.. like Tora Tora Tora, The Delta Force & The Towering Inferno, I would never get sick of watching these movies, call me crazy or whatever, but that’s what I like doing when I’m relaxing.. lol..
The fireman he rescued in that scene was Scott Newman, Paul Newman's son. Both McQueen and Newman did their own stunts. McQueen got a lot of respect from the real off-duty firemen who were there to control the on-set pyrotechnics, and after several takes, McQueen pitched in alongside the firemen to put out the fires. He even rescued a real fireman in one dramatic off-camera incident where the fireman could have been injured from falling debris.
My favorite disaster movie of the 70’s. I was only 9 years old, but I remember it so well. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were unreal and amazing to me.
gone way,way to soon Steve Mcqueen i would love to have had a couple of beers with that man discussing movies, cars and life...we were robbed the day he was taken from us, miss you Steve.
Watching this with my parents when I was 10 or so, my mum said in the cinema the 'out of control' line prompted a collective intake of breath. That's good cinema.
Man, I saw that movie the Towering Inferno for the first time when I was a kid at the Egyptian Theatre up in Hollywood. I still watch it again now and then with my kid. I said to him, "Newman and McQueen were two of the baddest of the bad ass actors ever!
Always loved Steve McQueen he was fabulous, he had a very powerful screen presence and it is almost impossible to take you eyes off him and the other actors saying their lines along side him seemed to pale into insignificance. A test of a great actor is when they can say more with their eyes and facial expressions than they can with words, Steve McQueen was one of those great actors.
When I watched this movie in a theater in 74 and saw 'Duncan Enterprises' on the helo, I thought 'cool, that's MY helicopter', not knowing that in only 2 years I'd be flying one.
My dad saw this in the theater in 1974 as a kid and he remembered people gasping and "ohhhh"-ing at McQueen's "Oh, shit!" line. I'm guessing it wasn't common for big stars to curse on screen back then?
Not really . It just puts him back in harm's way but with the other trapped survivors . He's been in harm's way most of the time anyway - he's a firefighter ! and the plan works , fire is put out and many survive .
This scene leaves me utterly speechless, 50 years later. I wonder if the world will ever see such heroism and self-sacrifice depicted like this ever again.
I watched this film several times during the 80's when I was a kid. Steve McQueen as the fire chief was always my favorite character of the movie. He steals the show here.
I watched this as a kid, at the time didn't know not cared who Steve McQueen was, or O.J. for that matter. I love this scene. Steve McQueen don't know the meaning of the word fear.
I saw this at the Egyptian Theater when it came out. I was seven at the time. I still remember the audience howling when Steve looks at them and then gives the line!
I'm not usually a fan of dark humor, but I love this sequence. "How do I get back down? Aw SHIT!" "How are you gonna get the the explosive up here? Oh, they'll find some dumb son of a bitch to bring it up." LMAO
I always loved the part when he was telling William Holden he had to move the guests down to the lobby and when he refused Steve just calmly said”When there’s a fire I outrank everybody here. Just make a calm,cool announcement to your guests that the party is being moved down to the lobby…right now” just the absolute fucking coolest.😎
As if the the fire department would even allow the party to continue. Forget it. But you'd have no movie. The premise is absurd but we wont talk about it
@@roquefortfiles - yeah - when a building complex is on far their mode is like everybody "get the f**k out and go the hell home". "Down to the lobby" is never an option. How can you enjoy dinner and cocktails with several dozen teams of fighters storming through with hoses and rescue equipment? Then later when they start pulling burn victims off the elevator. Doesn't work.
@@volleyballjerry I mean i get the fact that they have to have a conflict for drama effect but the entire premise of the movie is really ridiculous. Ok!! take your party down below the fire, don't mind us.. Like AS IF!!! Everyone would be evacuated. I still love the film though.
@@roquefortfiles But that’s the magic of a good film isn’t it? When despite how absurd the premise actually is (let’s face it, as climactic and awesome as the ending to this film is, it just would not work at putting out the fire in reality) you can still believe in what you’re seeing, you know they did a good job. I agree with you, I love this film, and frankly I don’t believe filmmakers should have to adhere to strictly realistic logic if there is good story to be told! As long as I can believe it…
@@horrorfanandy4647 It is a great film and 70s classic. I love it. But the premise of them being allowed to continue a party so long as it is done below the fire is so ridiculously stupid. The building would be evacuated. The end
This, and Bullitt as well as The Great Escape, rank among Steve McQueen's best movies! Honorable mention goes to The Getaway which co starred his then wife Ali MacGraw.
There has never been a more courageous and reliable silver screen hero than Steve McQueen in "The Towering Inferno." He is a one-of-a-kind character, full of realism without any illusion.
I saw this in the cinema when I was ten with my parents. I remember the people groaned when Steve said those two words, and they laughed when Steve told Paul how they'd get the explosives up there.
I remember seeing The Towering inferno when I was 6 yrs old. One of the best movies ever made in my opinion. 45 yrs late I have seen this movie thousands upon thousands of times. I think this scene Steal the movie. Irvin Allen is the King of making great DISASTERS movies. Its so sad Hollywood can't make movies like they use to.
The miniature of the buildiing was visible from Malibu Canyon Road, passed it every day to and from a job at the beach. Half charred, but easy to tell that's what it was.
I was 6 as well. Saw it in "Sensurround", you remember that? Actually have not watched it in many years and now I want to see it again. Agreed, this scene was one of the best in the film. When McQueen first says "what explosion?' and John Williams' score slowly rises up. Love that part.
@@douglaslally156 I installed a set of sliding doors at MvcQueen's beach house in Malibu...he was on location doing Jr Bonner. Trippy place - had a small brass plaque on the side gate "2nd class mess."
Great Movie, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman at there best, who was to know we were to get two towering inferno's in 2001, Real and more devastating than any movie,
Paul Newman's son played the scared fireman..He died of a drug overdose. The Deputy Chief 2# explaining to Steve "Johnson's a construction engineer" etc......IS THE GUY WHO PLAYED the director on "I Love Lucy" her vitametavegamin guy Ross Elliott who died 1999.
Another great scene from McQueen. he says something like “Well, you better go first so you don’t drag the rest of us down too.” And after the fireman makes it down, McQueen says in an almost fatherly way “See - just like we taught you in training.”
Thank you Dabney Coleman, and forever stand your guard - to our country and to the Glass Tower! I just realized he was in Towering inferno when googling the actor: 0:50 I never made the connection, despite seeing Towering Inferno, and later on 9 to 5, and War Games. Coleman always played it straight.
Behind the scenes during the making of "The Towering Inferno"
ruclips.net/video/InBkpHPf6fk/видео.html&ab_channel=BlaineBingham
Never understood why the architect said, "Hang on, I'll tell 'em." He could've just as easily finished the conversation, hung up, and _then_ tell the crowd. Overthinking on the part of the scriptwriters, overdramatisation.
50th anniversary in 2024. Timeless movie
I saw this movie when it first came out in the theaters. Anyone who wasn't already a Steve McQueen fan became one right then and there when he said those two words "Oh shit". There audience went nuts! Remember that you just didn't hear that kind of language in movies back then. May he and Paul rest in peace.
At least not in PG movies. Dog Day Afternoon came out the following year, and it was full of f bombs.
All The President's Men had an F-bomb or two, but I think I read somewhere that as long as it was not used in a sexual context, it could still work in a PG. It was not long before this that even one F-word could have lead to an X rating (it was not just for sex, but also violence & language). PG-13 was still a decade away.
@@ericandy88actually it was 10-11 f bombs
Thing is they used it when it came to situations like this, that I can always understand, they way they use foul language now it sucks
@@likestallwomenYes. Like in Yellowstone the TV show every other word is an F bomb. writers today suck.
I was an extra in the bleachers in the grand opening dedication scene. It was filmed around midnight and because it was so windy and there were no trees to block the wind it was icy cold on that plaza and all of us including the actors, firemen, directors, & crew were just about frozen.
One of the best scenes from The Towering Inferno, especially when Steve McQueen says, "Oh, they'll find some dumb sob to bring it up", LOL, Classical scene
Ruben Laredo I liked that line the best.
I always loved the part where McQueen says.. "Its out of control and its coming your way" You just know that desperate measures are next. The fantastic climax. One of my fav 70's flicks.
Wish McQueen and Eastwood could of done Apocalypse Now .
McQueen was Spielberg's first choice for Close Encounters .Wish McQueen would of agreed to do it .
In fact every big movie made after 1974 McQueen was everyone's first choice .
He made 3 some say lousy movies . Two of which he was contractually obligated to do : Enemy of the People and Tom Horn . He did just to get out from under First Artists a company he hated .
And the movie The Hunter .
Then he became ill and died .
@@p47thunderbolt68 I love Tom Horn a sad ending however.
@@p47thunderbolt68 "Then he became ill and died ." A true closer
I was 14 and saw this at the drive-in. I always loved that line, "Oh, shit," by O'Hallorrhan. It's been a part of my vernacular since.
My favorite line from the movie: 'They'll find some dumb sonovabitch to bring em up'. Priceless.
The king of cool at his best!
I feel so lucky that these guys were my heros as a kid in the 70s. Watching that as a 7 year old on a cold xmas night will never be beat. I spend the entire xmas rescuing my toys from buildings and my top solder was promoted to Steve Macqueen
Yep now you got touti fruiti the cross dressing alphabet queen as your children’s role models. We are so screwed.
I miss films with characters that inspire you heros back then saved people nowadays they wear makeup
I remember that Christmas they aired it. I was 9. I made my Barbie jump from the roof of her Barbie townhouse.
@@rah2287Ain’t that the truth
@@lesliejohnson1549LOL. i was born August that year the day Nixon said he was resigning. Hard to believe this film and I are 50. Did your Barbies head survive? i think its great 😂
Dabney Coleman did a really believable job as well. Watch his reaction when Steve asks how he is going to get back down after setting the explosives. Love this movie!
Point well taken Reb 9)
I think Coleman's performance is one of the best even though it's so small. The look in his eyes, the way he blows off that fireman , it shows the gravity of the moment. " we've already made the decision " he's not dicking around its minus seventeen minutes and counting before everyone is dead period.
He shows you life's harsh reality.
Both Newman and McQueen are impressive. The chemistry between them works amazingly well. No wonder they were both top billed (with some studio marketing tricks that is). They both carry the movie, they're both heroic, and the both shine.
True and if you saw the making of it, both guys gave each other a hard time in a fun way, they enjoyed every minute of this
Shoes.
I was 11 years old when my mother took me to see this at rhe theater in 1974. My mom and I were not close and watching this together with her is my most cherished memory.
Great scene! Let's not forget a classic pre-Star Wars music score by John Williams that really adds weight and mood to the scene.
Agreed. Just like his work in “Poseidon Adventure” as well!
@@roseconmatswatson5389 AND Star Wars AND the Indiana Jones movies. He was the best.👏
Huh, "pre-Star Wars music score"... good one. That film was definetly a milestone, even in the field of music.
Oh, I forgot the Jurassic Park movies.👏👏
Pre-Jaws even.
I always liked: when there’s a fire mister, I outrank everyone.
That’s the Steve I know
One the best movie scenes ever at 2:32 when Steve McQueen asks how do I get back down and they just stare at him..genius
That chill you get when McQueen says... "Its outta control and its coming your way". You feel that shift of excitement like "What's next?" The whole film jumps up another level right here. Setting up the climax.
Steve McQueen was one of the greatest movie stars who ever lived. You don't seem to find actors like that these days. Whatever you think of the TI, he and Paul Newman made that film... and two pairs of pale blue eyes.
+Alan Souter So well cast. I loved this movie then and now.
Steve McQueen…The guy every other guy in the world wished they looked like!
It's not true that they couldn't stand each other. They were simply very, very competitive. Throughout the filming they had a lot of fun with each other, cracking up the other actors during the lengthy shoot.
Before TI came out, Newman was the top box office star, with McQueen right at his heels. This movie solidified McQueen at the top of the A list.
James Dean
This had to be the best collaboration between 2 top movie studios-namely Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox. Kudos to Paul Newman and Steve McQueen for their collaboration as well!
I have always loved this part and especially McQueen's "oh shit" response, love it!! The way he says it really expresses' his "I'm fuc##d" feelings. Great movie, classic, and really represents the SFFD and their traditions well!!
Cant agree more AR!!!
Steve McQueen and Paul Newman were the best. It was really good movie.
I was fortunate enough to see in the movie theater when I was 7. They dont make movies like this anymore, great movie.
I like the scene in the elevator shaft when the fireman says, "I'll fall. I know, I'll fall". And Steve McQueen says, "OK. Then you better got first, so you don't take us with you".
The Fireman who says "I'll Fall ,I'll know I'll Fall" is played by Paul Newman's son the late Scott Newman 1950-1978 ,He was only 28 when he passed away,Hard to believe that,But he was great in this scene with Steve McQueen.
I always laugh when I hear Steve McQueen say that line. And it’s not meant to be funny.
The best “ oh Shhhhhhhhiiiiiiiitttttt in history…
The world lost a great one, with uber talent and fineness in Steve McQueen.😺
Rest in Paradise
Seen this movie an untold number of times, and just watched this clip again. Going on record that this sequence setting the scene for the showier action climax of TI is some of the best stuff ever put on celluloid. From how the wrinkle in the plot (the fire is now completely out of control & has to be dealt with in the most drastic of measures) is introduced here and is moved past as expeditiously as possible (Coleman cutting off the structural engineering expert as he begins to wax on) so they can get on with the action (all with defusing moments of gallows humor!). Credit Guillerman, Stirling Silliphant especially, Fred Koenekamp, editors Carl Kress & Harold Kress for making it what it is. McQueen's & Coleman's acting here is deceptively brilliant -- simple, unadorned, honest -- and is the icing on the cake to this scene. This little scene for Coleman ranks with his best acting in any other movie. Seriously. Cut to the phone call with Newman and you have a flat out, satisfyingly brilliant button line (McQueen's) to this entire beat of the movie. McQueen is exponentially better in this sequence alone than in any other of his films, that it affirms for me Towering Inferno is by far the best performance he ever gave. And I've seen the entire McQueen oeuvre. BTW, for a guy whose legend as a movie star is practically unassailable (and I would agree with that assessment), Steve appeared in a whole lotta junk in his career.
Jordan Lage i
On another post, someone asked if Dabney was fated to play unlikable people his whole career. Yes, his Mr. Hart in 9 To 5 is hard to shake, but at least in this scene, he is more matter-of-fact, leveling with O'Halloran that he may not come back down alive.
Steve McQueen is one of the most iconic actors of those times
GREAT effects here - this was all done with models & miniatures and looks actuall better than any CGI could hope for. Dabney Coleman almost steals the show as the Navy captain - great performance!
The acting is superb. The look of the men's faces when Doug (Paul Newman) is on the phone is brilliant. The desperation and anxiety is portrayed perfectly.
Steve McQueen and Paul Newman were trying to outdo the other. That's why this film works so well.
Love every second of this great great movie. No other disaster film comes close, not even after more than 40 years later ...
_"After more than 40 years."_ You wrote your comment 2 yrs ago, which means either 2022 or 2021, and TI was released in 1974!
Steve McQueen = Coolest movie star of all time.
Dabney Colmen gave a oscar nominated performance and he was only in the movie for less than 3 minutes. I swear I love 70's acting. Real fucking actors
Right on man! And I DO mean _"Right On"_ because I grew up in that era and know exactly what you are talking about. I saw this in the theater after _"Earthquake"_ with Sensurround. And as you suggested, this movie exploded with fine performances.
Speaking of the honorable Dabney Coleman, his brief performance in _'Cinderella Liberty'_ about a year or two before was terrific as well - and that was only a brief appearance in the movie as well.
Another actor that was before his time and deserves to be recognized for more than his role in 9-to-5 flick.
How do I get back down? Oh shit hmmm brilliant quote from a epic film by an amazing actor
Best "Oh, shit..." line ever! Now every time I think "Oh, shit" about something, I hear it said in McQueen's voice. :)
"How do I get back down?" is a great line. Showed that even Steve McQueen s a bit nervous.
I got to see this in the theater when it first came out, because Disney's The Strongest Man in The World (I think that was the sequel to The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes) was sold out. Ten other kids from my 3rd grade class were there with me (it was my 8th birthday). Of course, we were thrilled when Steve McQueen said "oh, shit."
I think one of the best scenes from this movie of Steve McQueen, was when he rescued the scenic elevator after an explosion, had it hanging, with 12people in it, but loosing one as she fell, then SMqn, came to the rescue by cutting the cable & placed a winch hook, attached to the helicopter above to pull the Scenic elevator free & as the cable was cut loose, another explosion happened, with the fireman helping SMqn, or chief Ohalloran, nearly falling & Smqn, quickly grabbed that fireman & held onto his hands for dear life to stop him from falling to his death & thou I know it’s only acting & there wouldn’t had been a great fall, just the determination on chief Ohallrans face, was more than enough to know, how good Steve Mqueen as a actor was, in acting out that dangerous part of the movie.
Honestly, along with other great movies of old that I have watched so many times.. like Tora Tora Tora, The Delta Force & The Towering Inferno, I would never get sick of watching these movies, call me crazy or whatever, but that’s what I like doing when I’m relaxing.. lol..
The fireman he rescued in that scene was Scott Newman, Paul Newman's son. Both McQueen and Newman did their own stunts. McQueen got a lot of respect from the real off-duty firemen who were there to control the on-set pyrotechnics, and after several takes, McQueen pitched in alongside the firemen to put out the fires. He even rescued a real fireman in one dramatic off-camera incident where the fireman could have been injured from falling debris.
My favorite scene ever. A hero as the fireman would’ve fallen 60 stories to his death.
Dabney Coleman was great in this scene. Versatile actor.
I didn’t even know Dabbey was in that movie until I saw the movie I’m
Like oh crap that Dabby Coleman the all star cast in that movie
Years before he became a sexist egotistical lying hypocritical bigot in 9 to 5😂
Yep, I love that line! Said well!
My favorite disaster movie of the 70’s. I was only 9 years old, but I remember it so well. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were unreal and amazing to me.
50th anniversary in 2024. Timeless
gone way,way to soon Steve Mcqueen i would love to have had a couple of beers with that man discussing movies, cars and life...we were robbed the day he was taken from us, miss you Steve.
My late dad hung out with him a few times in a bar in upstate New York back in the 60s. They talked about just that.
McQueen and Newman made people like me believe in heroes, regular guys that could save the day or at least try...i miss these guys so much!!!
@John Saunders if you have nothing good to say...say nothing dipshit !!!
Watching this with my parents when I was 10 or so, my mum said in the cinema the 'out of control' line prompted a collective intake of breath.
That's good cinema.
Man, I saw that movie the Towering Inferno for the first time when I was a kid at the Egyptian Theatre up in Hollywood. I still watch it again now and then with my kid. I said to him, "Newman and McQueen were two of the baddest of the bad ass actors ever!
@John Saunders The joke is on you pal if you don't get it, because then you don't know a bad ass from a jack ass.
....... you don't tell Steve McQueen there's no way down without him reacting 😅😮😅
Always loved Steve McQueen he was fabulous, he had a very powerful screen presence and it is almost impossible to take you eyes off him and the other actors saying their lines along side him seemed to pale into insignificance. A test of a great actor is when they can say more with their eyes and facial expressions than they can with words, Steve McQueen was one of those great actors.
It’s out of control and it’s coming your way !
I love all of this. I seen it when it first came out as well.🎉❤😊 i’m watching it now👌
My favourite too and I will be watching it tonight I always remember watching it with my parents in the cinema.
That's exactly what I would have uttered. Either that or "Oh F--k" lol The look on McQueen's face is spot on.
When I watched this movie in a theater in 74 and saw 'Duncan Enterprises' on the helo, I thought 'cool, that's MY helicopter', not knowing that in only 2 years I'd be flying one.
Thanks for the Upload 👍 !! A movie way ahead of its time !! "Oh Shit " LOL !! Xd
My dad saw this in the theater in 1974 as a kid and he remembered people gasping and "ohhhh"-ing at McQueen's "Oh, shit!" line. I'm guessing it wasn't common for big stars to curse on screen back then?
Compared with Samual L. Jackson? Not hardly.
No it wasn’t,. Prior to that swear word, you had Clark Gable’s famous line “frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn” in Gone with The Wind.
@@janicesullivan8942 and Redfords ohhhhhhhhhhhh shit! In Butch cassidy and the sundance kid.
The realization that he is trapped into doing something that would kill him but saves others comes over his face
Not really . It just puts him back in harm's way but with the other trapped survivors . He's been in harm's way most of the time anyway - he's a firefighter ! and the plan works , fire is put out and many survive .
I was lucky enough to attend a benefit performance for the widows & orphans of SFFD firemen at the Alexandria Theater on Geary Avenue in SF.
This scene leaves me utterly speechless, 50 years later. I wonder if the world will ever see such heroism and self-sacrifice depicted like this ever again.
Great Movie. Classic. Some great lines....
I watched this film several times during the 80's when I was a kid. Steve McQueen as the fire chief was always my favorite character of the movie. He steals the show here.
I watched this as a kid, at the time didn't know not cared who Steve McQueen was, or O.J. for that matter. I love this scene. Steve McQueen don't know the meaning of the word fear.
The most powerful lines in the Towering Inferno can be heard right here at 2:51 through 3:22 with the realization preceding that scene!
I saw this at the Egyptian Theater when it came out. I was seven at the time. I still remember the audience howling when Steve looks at them and then gives the line!
I'm not usually a fan of dark humor, but I love this sequence. "How do I get back down? Aw SHIT!" "How are you gonna get the the explosive up here? Oh, they'll find some dumb son of a bitch to bring it up." LMAO
What a fantastic scene so well played by all the actors. Will always hold the TOWERING INFERNO as a superb example of HOLLYWOOD film making.
00:44 "Oh Shit, the NAVY showed up"
lol
COOLEST guy that ever lived!
So much great talent in this movie.
Rest in peace, Steve McQueen and Dabney Coleman.
2:00 - "Look, We've already made the decision."
The most famous of "famous last words."
Steve McQueen was a great actot! Great movie!
I always loved the part when he was telling William Holden he had to move the guests down to the lobby and when he refused Steve just calmly said”When there’s a fire I outrank everybody here. Just make a calm,cool announcement to your guests that the party is being moved down to the lobby…right now” just the absolute fucking coolest.😎
As if the the fire department would even allow the party to continue. Forget it. But you'd have no movie. The premise is absurd but we wont talk about it
@@roquefortfiles - yeah - when a building complex is on far their mode is like everybody "get the f**k out and go the hell home". "Down to the lobby" is never an option. How can you enjoy dinner and cocktails with several dozen teams of fighters storming through with hoses and rescue equipment? Then later when they start pulling burn victims off the elevator. Doesn't work.
@@volleyballjerry I mean i get the fact that they have to have a conflict for drama effect but the entire premise of the movie is really ridiculous. Ok!! take your party down below the fire, don't mind us.. Like AS IF!!! Everyone would be evacuated. I still love the film though.
@@roquefortfiles
But that’s the magic of a good film isn’t it? When despite how absurd the premise actually is (let’s face it, as climactic and awesome as the ending to this film is, it just would not work at putting out the fire in reality) you can still believe in what you’re seeing, you know they did a good job.
I agree with you, I love this film, and frankly I don’t believe filmmakers should have to adhere to strictly realistic logic if there is good story to be told! As long as I can believe it…
@@horrorfanandy4647 It is a great film and 70s classic. I love it. But the premise of them being allowed to continue a party so long as it is done below the fire is so ridiculously stupid. The building would be evacuated. The end
This, and Bullitt as well as The Great Escape, rank among Steve McQueen's best movies! Honorable mention goes to The Getaway which co starred his then wife Ali MacGraw.
Aren't you forgetting " The Sand Pebbles? "
Yeah, his best scene..and I love this movie the most in his movie history..
Strange that this movie had better special effects than many modern blockbusters
There has never been a more courageous and reliable silver screen hero than Steve McQueen in "The Towering Inferno." He is a one-of-a-kind character, full of realism without any illusion.
I can't order you up there.
Fine, then you come with me!
I saw this in the cinema when I was ten with my parents. I remember the people groaned when Steve said those two words, and they laughed when Steve told Paul how they'd get the explosives up there.
“It’s out of control and it’s coming your way”
Top Notch, classic Irwin Allen movie.
McQueen was the coolest
Back when “special-effects” took a cinematic back-seat to acting and relatable human drama.
Oh…and BTW…the special effects were STILL pretty amazing.
To be fair both elements are pretty equally balanced in this film!
Give me a parachute and I’ll get myself down
I love when McQueen says “it’s out of control and it’s heading your way” flanked by his firefighters, f’in cool.
My favorite line in the movie which is why I searched for this clip.
I love his entrance into movie. You knew the boss arrived...
Steve McQueen, a god amongst men.
Jesse Burleson Amen to that, brother.
A movie star incarnate.
IT's a shame he died so young!
The man
That's some great acting by everyone involved. That's why they get paid the big bucks.
It never came to fruition but producers were going to combine Earthquake and Towering Inferno.The movie would be
Shake and Bake !!
This gem was better on its own
Steve McQueen and Paul Newman in the same movie? Yes more please.
The late Olan Solue ( the structural engineer) always handling an important situation in the background; whether it's in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
I remember seeing The Towering inferno when I was 6 yrs old. One of the best movies ever made in my opinion.
45 yrs late I have seen this movie thousands upon thousands of times.
I think this scene Steal the movie.
Irvin Allen is the King of making great DISASTERS movies. Its so sad Hollywood can't make movies like they use to.
The miniature of the buildiing was visible from Malibu Canyon Road, passed it every day to and from a job at the beach. Half charred, but easy to tell that's what it was.
I was 6 as well. Saw it in "Sensurround", you remember that? Actually have not watched it in many years and now I want to see it again. Agreed, this scene was one of the best in the film. When McQueen first says "what explosion?' and John Williams' score slowly rises up. Love that part.
@@douglaslally156 I installed a set of sliding doors at MvcQueen's beach house in Malibu...he was on location doing Jr Bonner. Trippy place - had a small brass plaque on the side gate "2nd class mess."
I saw this when I was 8 or 9 and The Godfather when I was 6. My parents were crazy
Disaster movie era was awesome!
My favourite film
richard mcgilp
Yep mine too..
Really?
Great Movie, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman at there best, who was to know we were to get two towering inferno's in 2001, Real and more devastating than any movie,
Grenfell happened later as well.
Paul Newman's son played the scared fireman..He died of a drug overdose.
The Deputy Chief 2# explaining to Steve "Johnson's a construction engineer" etc......IS THE GUY WHO PLAYED the director on "I Love Lucy" her vitametavegamin guy Ross Elliott who died 1999.
Sorry, which scared fireman? The one who had to abseil down the lift-shaft, or the one who was in the scenic elevator? Thanks.
@@GreenerHill The first one, the one who says "I'll fall, I know I'll fall" right after they see the burning firefighter falling down the shaft.
@@AdhamOhm: Thanks. He does look like him, with darker hair. Love the look he and McQueen swap after.
Another great scene from McQueen. he says something like “Well, you better go first so you don’t drag the rest of us down too.” And after the fireman makes it down, McQueen says in an almost fatherly way “See - just like we taught you in training.”
The engineer was Olan Soule veteran character actor who did a lot work for Jack Webb
i saw this movie as a kid back in the ‘90’s. i didnt understand it till i watched it during roni quarentine
" ... s'outta control ... and it's comin' your way ... " Delivery = 10/10
I LOVE THIS MOVIE Seen it a million times
It's Dabney Coleman who adds real gravitas to this scene!
One of the best moments in movie history!!!
The king of cool ladies and gentlemen
great movie. new subscriber
Wish this would be released back to theaters even briefly. It must be great on the big screen.
Oh, it was.
He was THE BEST!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thank you Dabney Coleman, and forever stand your guard - to our country and to the Glass Tower!
I just realized he was in Towering inferno when googling the actor: 0:50
I never made the connection, despite seeing Towering Inferno, and later on 9 to 5, and War Games.
Coleman always played it straight.
McQueen ate the screen in this movie.
love Steve McQueen!!!!!!!!:)
Paul Newman and Steve McQueen was so good looking
Mcqueen, .....Always at his best.