TITLE: Earthquake
YEAR OF MOVIE RELEASE: 1974
FILM STUDIO / PRODUCTION COMPANY: Universal Pictures; a Mark Robson–Filmmakers Group Production
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Cinema International Corporation (CIC)
TAGLINE: “An Event...”
DIRECTOR: Mark Robson
CAST: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold, Richard Roundtree, Marjoe Gortner, Barry Sullivan, Lloyd Nolan and Victoria Principal
PRODUCER: Mark Robson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Jennings Lang
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Philip Lathrop
SCREENPLAY: George Fox and Mario Puzo
MUSIC: John Williams
POSTER PRINTER: M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd.
FORMAT: Australian One Sheet
GENRE: Disaster / Drama
COLLECTOR’S NOTE
Earthquake introduced Sensurround, a cinema sound system that used powerful low-frequency effects to give audiences a physical impression of the disaster unfolding on screen. This connection to theatrical sound innovation adds another dimension to the film’s place in 1970s disaster cinema.
Its creative credits also bring together two notable names: Mario Puzo co-wrote the screenplay, while John Williams composed the score. This Australian One Sheet takes an unusual approach to its ensemble cast, placing their portraits in a strip along the bottom while allowing the collapsing title artwork to dominate the main design.
POSTER DESIGN FEATURES
The EARTHQUAKE title cuts diagonally across a pale background in enormous three-dimensional, stone-like letters. Fractured lettering merges with collapsing buildings, tumbling vehicles, falling figures and cascading water, turning the film’s name into part of the disaster itself.
Deep shadows beneath the cream-coloured letters create a sense of height and instability. The diagonal composition draws the eye from the upper left towards the devastated buildings at the lower right, while the surrounding open space gives the illustrated destruction greater impact.
The short blue “An Event...” tagline sits near the top. Condensed blue cast and production lettering fills the lower section above a horizontal row of ten photographic cast portraits. The Australian NRC marking, CIC distribution credit and M.A.P.S. printer’s name complete the lower panel.