Watch Terror on the 40th Floor

Terror on the 40th Floor is a thrilling drama from 1974, directed by Jerry Jameson and starring John Forsythe, Joseph Campanella, and Lynn Carlin. The film follows the story of a group of people trapped in a high-rise building during an attempted robbery, as they struggle to survive and outsmart their captors. The movie begins with the exposition of the main characters; a group of people who work in the 40th floor of a large corporation, including executives, secretaries, technicians, and janitors. We get to know their personalities, motivations, and relationships with each other, setting the stage for the events to come.

Things take a turn for the worse when a group of masked robbers enters the building, armed and determined to steal millions of dollars worth of bonds from the company's safe. They quickly take control of the floor, disabling the elevators and communication systems, and holding everyone hostage.

What follows is a tense and suspenseful confrontation between the hostages and the robbers, as they try to outsmart each other and gain the upper hand. The hostages, led by the quick-thinking executive Dan Streller (John Forsythe), use their knowledge of the building's infrastructure and their wits to sabotage the robbers' plans and gain advantages.

The robbers, on the other hand, are ruthless and unpredictable, willing to harm or kill anyone who gets in their way. They are led by the cold and calculating Harry Webb (Joseph Campanella), who is determined to see the heist through no matter the cost.

As the situation escalates, tensions rise among the hostages, who are forced to confront their own weaknesses and prejudices. Some try to cooperate with the robbers to save their own lives, while others are more courageous and selfless, risking everything to protect others.

The film is expertly paced, with a constantly increasing sense of danger and urgency. The tension is palpable throughout, as we see the characters try to survive in a hostile and unpredictable environment. There are several intense action sequences, including a thrilling shootout in the building's lobby, and a desperate attempt to escape through a ventilation shaft.

The performances are top-notch, with John Forsythe delivering a particularly strong performance as the heroic Dan Streller. He is a sympathetic and charismatic character, who manages to rally the hostages and keep them united in the face of danger. Joseph Campanella is also excellent as the villainous Harry Webb, bringing a chilling sense of menace to the role.

Lynn Carlin is also noteworthy as the resourceful and brave secretary Louise Stein, who plays a key role in helping the hostages. The rest of the cast is equally impressive, creating a ensemble of characters who are all distinct and memorable.

Overall, Terror on the 40th Floor is an engaging and thrilling movie that will keep you on edge from start to finish. It is a timeless story of survival and heroism, that still resonates today. Whether you're a fan of 70's cinema, or just looking for an exciting and well-crafted thriller, this film is well worth a watch.

Terror on the 40th Floor is a 1974 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.