The first of three sequels to 1970’s Airport, Airport 1975 disregards the character development and melodrama that made the first film a success. Instead, they lean into the disaster element, while serving up another all-star cast. Decidedly ridiculous at various points, Airport 1975 nevertheless remains entertaining.
As the film begins, stewardess Nancy Pryor (Karen Black) meets up with her boyfriend, chief inspector of Columbia Airlines, Al Murdock (Charlton Heston) at the Main Terminal. Frustrated, Nancy wants time to discuss their stalled relationship. Smooth as ever, Murdock is a busy man declaring he can “do wonders in 30 minutes,” with Nancy. Reminding Al that their relationship is coming up on six years, Nancy departs.
From there, Airport 1975 wastes no time delving into action. Nancy finds herself thrust into a chaotic situation when a small plane piloted by Dana Andrews collides with her 747. With both the pilot (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and co-pilot incapacitated, Nancy is forced to fly the plane.
Eventually, a wild plan is concocted to lower Al into the broken cockpit window via helicopter, to land the plane. Despite the ridiculousness of it all, the actors play it straight. Karen Black looks like a deer in headlights throughout, and Charlton Heston is his usual square jawed tough guy. George Kennedy returns as Patroni. Also aboard is Gloria Swanson playing herself (she’s credited as Famous Actress Gloria Swanson) who is tape recording her autobiography, Linda Blair as a child in desperate need of a kidney transplant, Helen Reddy as a singing nun, a hilarious Myrna Loy, Swanson’s Sunset Boulevard co-star Nancy Olson, and Heston’s Ben-Hur co-star Martha Scott, among others.
While 1980’s Airplane! went on to skewer many of its unintentionally funny aspects, Airport 1975 remains one of the better 1970’s disaster films. Director Jack Smight understood the assignment—plenty of action mixed with excess—making Airport 1975 a fun experience fifty years after its original theatrical release.
Kino Lorber’s 4K restoration looks stellar. Sourced from the original 35mm negative, the HDR/Dolby vision transfer makes Philip H. Lathrop’s cinematography shine. The cockpit glows with warmth, and the night scenes have nice depth. Blacks are inky throughout. colors are vivid. Skin tones look natural. There’s a nice level of grain, giving things a filmic appearance. The image is clean with no scratches or other anomalies,
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Like the original Airport 4K release, the 5.1 track offers an outstanding audio experience. Active throughout, action beats are given a realistic quality. Dialogue is clean, clear, clear and concise throughout. There are no crackles or other audio anomalies apparent.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
- Audio Commentary with critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson.
- Trailer