Volcano (1997)

A new emergency director must lead a desperate effort to divert a massive lava flow threatening to incinerate the streets of Los Angeles.

First release year

1997

Runtime (minutes)

100

Production countries

United States

Original languages

English

Directors

Mick Jackson

Writers

Jerome Armstrong · screenplay; Billy Ray · screenplay

Cast and characters

Tommy Lee Jones · Mike Roark; Anne Heche; Gaby Hoffmann; Don Cheadle; Keith David

Genres

disaster; drama; thriller

Themes

survival; sacrifice; disaster response

Tone and mood

tense; action-packed; cheesy

Premise and plot tags

natural disaster; volcano; Los Angeles; heroic sacrifice

Source material / true-story basis

The 1943 formation of the Parícutin volcano in Mexico.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its technical special effects but criticized its familiar genre clichés and dialogue. It was a commercial success, grossing over $122 million worldwide.

Reported review scores

Rotten Tomatoes · score: 49% · scale: positive review · review count: 47

Awards and nominations

Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property · 1997 · lost

Production trivia

The film's special effects were created by ten separate digital effects companies.; The story was inspired by the 1943 formation of the Parícutin volcano in Mexico.

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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