Dante's Peak (1997)
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A volcanologist and a local mayor must lead a town's residents to safety as a long-dormant volcano suddenly erupts.
The story
In the fictional town of Dante's Peak, Washington, a volcanologist named Harry Dalton is assigned to investigate seismic activity near a stratovolcano. While monitoring the site, he encounters local residents, including Mayor Rachel Wando. Despite initial indications of stability, Harry becomes increasingly concerned about the volcano's activity. When the town's water supply is contaminated and seismic readings spike, Harry must convince the local authorities to prepare for a potential disaster. As the tension builds, the community faces the imminent threat of a volcanic eruption, forcing the residents to confront the danger of the mountain that looms over their home.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The story begins in 1993 with Harry Dalton and his partner, who are killed during a volcanic eruption in Colombia. Four years later, Harry is stationed near Dante's Peak, Washington. He meets Mayor Rachel Wando and her children, and they visit an elderly local, Ruth. While investigating, Harry finds evidence of volcanic activity, such as dead animals and boiled bodies in a hot spring. Despite his superior's initial skepticism, a spike in sulfur levels leads to a formal alert. When the volcano erupts, an earthquake strikes and a lava flow begins. Harry and the Wandos attempt to rescue Ruth, but she is tragically injured during a desperate escape across a lake. Meanwhile, the National Guard assists in a mass evacuation, but a mudflow (lahar) causes the death of Harry's superior, Paul. Harry and the Wandos find refuge in an abandoned mine as a catastrophic pyroclastic flow obliterates the town. Harry is briefly trapped in a truck but manages to activate a beacon. Days later, he and the others are rescued and airlifted to safety as the volcano is left as a ruined crater.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Roger Donaldson
- Writers
- Leslie Bohem · writer
- Cast and characters
- Pierce Brosnan · Harry Dalton; Linda Hamilton · Rachel Wando; Charles Hallahan · Paul Dreyfus; Grant Heslov · Greg; Kirk Trutner · Terry; Elizabeth Hoffman · Ruth; Jeremy Foley · Graham Wando; Jamie Renée Smith · Lauren Wando
- Genres
- disaster; action
- Themes
- survival; natural disaster
- Tone and mood
- tense; action-packed
- Premise and plot tags
- volcano; survival; disaster
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was noted for its high-quality special effects and action.
- Awards and nominations
- Favorite Actress – Action/Adventure · Blockbuster Entertainment Awards · win; Top Box Office Films · ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards · win; best foreign film · Golden Rooster Awards · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was shot on location in Wallace, Idaho.; Sandra Bullock was initially considered for the role of Rachel Wando.; The scene involving the geological robot was filmed on the tarmac of Van Nuys Airport.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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