Airport (1970)

Airport is a 1970 American disaster film written and directed by George Seaton, and distributed by Universal Pictures. Based on Arthur Hailey's 1968 novel, it originated the 1970s disaster film genre, and was the first of four films in the Airport film series. It features an ensemble cast of performers, led by Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin, and featuring Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Maureen Stapleton, Barry Nelson, Lloyd Nolan, Dana Wynter and Barbara Hale.

The film is about airport manager Mel Bakersfeld (Lancaster) trying to keep his airport open during a snowstorm, while suicide bomber D.O. Guerrero plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight. It takes place at fictional Lincoln International Airport near Chicago (based on O'Hare International Airport). Ernest Laszlo photographed it in 70 mm Todd-AO. It is the last film scored by Alfred Newman and the last film roles of Van Heflin and Jessie Royce Landis. It was also Ross Hunter's last film produced for Universal after a 17-year tenure.

With attention paid to the detail of day-to-day airport and airline operations, the plot concerns the response to a paralyzing snowstorm, environmental concerns over noise pollution, and an attempt to blow up an airliner. The film is characterized by personal stories intertwining while decisions are made minute-by-minute by the airport and airline staffs, operations and maintenance crews, flight crews, and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers.

Produced on a $10 million budget, it earned over $128 million. The film was a commercial success and surpassed Spartacus as Universal Pictures' biggest moneymaker. The movie won Helen Hayes an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as elderly stowaway Ada Quonsett and was nominated for nine other Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.