3. Earthquake (1974)
Ok, earthquakes alone may not strictly be extreme weather (!?), but Los Angeles and a host of Hollywoods biggest stars including
Ava Gardner, Charlton Heston and
George Kennedy to name just a few from the epic cast! - find themselves the victims of a colossal (9.9 on the Richter scale!) one that causes the city to crumble. With a narrative that follows the lives of many, the earthquake that devastates the city neatly weaves the various storylines together. The plot of Earthquake, although driven by the destruction of the mammoth catastrophe, is much more character based than many disaster films and is primarily concerned with how the quake affects the lives of the principal characters rather than the scientific elements that can often be a major aspect of similar films. Because of this, Earthquake is not every viewers cup of tea. However, it stands as one of the more narratively accomplished disaster films born out of Hollywood and its obsession with special effects. Having said this, the film is resplendent with impressive special effects that naturally build suspense into the plot. Produced before the onslaught of CGI based effects, Earthquake features the collapsing of model skyscrapers, falling blocks of MOVIE concrete (carved from polystyrene!) and a miniature of the Hollywood Reservoir as it crumbles into oblivion.