Summary of "What Makes Disaster Films Great" Episode on Stuff You Should Know

Released on April 17, 2025, the episode "What Makes Disaster Films Great" explores the intricate elements that define disaster movies, tracing their evolution from early cinematic endeavors to modern-day blockbusters. Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant delve deep into the genre's characteristics, historical milestones, recurring tropes, and cultural impact, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of what makes disaster films resonate with audiences.

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Josh and Chuck expressing their mutual passion for movies, particularly disaster films. Josh shares his enthusiasm, citing The Day After Tomorrow as a catalyst for their discussion.

Josh Clark [01:23]: "We're just gonna be sitting around rapping about one of our favorite things to talk about and that is movies."

2. Defining Disaster Films

Josh and Chuck navigate the nebulous boundaries of disaster movies, recognizing them as a subgenre of action films. They attempt to outline the defining characteristics that distinguish disaster films from other action-oriented narratives.

Key Characteristics:

• Presence of a Disaster: Central to the plot, which can range from natural calamities like tsunamis and earthquakes to human-made crises such as pandemics or extraterrestrial threats.

  Chuck Bryant [04:16]: "The first thing you needed in a disaster movie is a disaster."

• Ongoing Crisis: Unlike standalone events, the disaster persists throughout the film, influencing character decisions and plot progression.

  Josh Clark [05:03]: "Transportation is Huge. People love screwing up... the entire movie takes place over some sort of disaster in all of its after effects."

• Ensemble Cast with Diverse Archetypes: Characters often fall into stereotypical roles like the heroic everyman, the damsel in distress, the redeemable antagonist, or the morally dubious antagonist.

• Clear Moral Dichotomies: Characters are typically categorized into good, bad, and redeemable, simplifying moral complexities for audience engagement.

Subgenres:

• Animal Attack: Exemplified by Hitchcock's The Birds, blending horror elements with disaster narratives.
• Epidemic/Pandemic: Focused on outbreaks affecting large populations, like Outbreak (1995).
• Environmental Catastrophes: Including climate change-related disasters as seen in The Day After Tomorrow.

3. Historical Evolution of Disaster Films

a. Early Beginnings (1930s)

Josh identifies Deluge (1933) as one of the pioneering disaster films, showcasing New York City's destruction by a tsunami, setting the stage for future cinematic disasters.

Josh Clark [16:14]: "The first one was Deluge from 1933... several minutes of New York City being destroyed by a tsunami."

b. The 1970s Boom

The genre experienced its golden age in the 1970s, fueled by societal anxieties like nuclear threats during the Cold War.

• Irwin Allen's Influence: Known as the "master of disaster," Allen produced iconic films such as The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974), which became box office hits and established genre conventions.

  Chuck Bryant [25:22]: "Irwin Allen... really hit his stride in the 70s with things like The Poseidon Adventure... each of those was the top box office hit of their respective years."

• Ensemble Casts: Films featured star-studded casts, aiming to attract diverse audience demographics.

• Realism vs. Schlock: While some films like The Towering Inferno maintained high production values, others began to exhibit schlockier elements, contributing to the genre's eventual decline.

c. Decline and the Rise of Parodies (Late 1970s-1980s)

Following a series of flops like The Swarm (1978), the disaster film boom waned. High-budget productions struggled to replicate earlier successes, leading studios to pivot towards parodies such as Airplane! (1980).

Josh Clark [34:41]: "Because these movies just got worse and worse... it was ripe for parody... Airplane! captured it perfectly."

d. 1990s Resurgence

The genre saw a revival in the mid-1990s with advancements in CGI and renewed audience interest.

• Key Films: Twister (1996) and Independence Day (1996) spearheaded the comeback, leveraging cutting-edge special effects to captivate audiences.

  Josh Clark [38:06]: "Twister... Independence Day... using emerging CGI computer-assisted special effects."

• Recurring Tropes Consolidated: The heroic scientist and government official archetypes became more pronounced, though often at the expense of diverse character representation.

e. 2010s to Present

Modern disaster films continue to evolve, integrating more sophisticated special effects and addressing contemporary issues like pandemics and climate change.

• Notable Films: Contagion (2011) by Steven Soderbergh and The Day After Tomorrow (2004) stand out for their realistic portrayal and critical acclaim.

  Chuck Bryant [49:39]: "Contagion... doesn't play like one because it is so realistically scary."

• Global Appeal: Studios aim for international resonance by featuring global landmarks and diverse casts, enhancing box office potential worldwide.

4. Stereotypes and Recurring Tropes

a. Character Archetypes

Disaster films often rely on well-worn character types to drive the narrative:

• The Everyman Hero: An ordinary individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances, embodying resilience and leadership.

  Josh Clark [46:08]: "The hero has to be some sort of everyman who may or may not possess some special sort of skills or knowledge..."

• The Damsel in Distress: Typically portrayed as women needing rescue, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

  Josh Clark [08:43]: "Most of the main characters and leads are men, and the woman is basically there to essentially be saved."

• The Redeemable Antagonist: Characters who initially pose a threat but ultimately contribute positively, often sacrificing themselves.

b. Gender and Racial Representation

The genre has been criticized for its lack of diversity and reliance on sexist tropes.

• Male-Centric Narratives: Predominantly featuring male protagonists with minimal female agency.

  Josh Clark [09:43]: "Disaster movies are sexist... could not come up with a single disaster movie where the hero was a woman."

• Racial Stereotypes: African American characters often face high mortality rates, a trope that has been both lampooned and critiqued.

  Chuck Bryant [10:25]: "Black characters will die almost certainly and usually first."

5. Discussion of Notable Films

a. The Towering Inferno (1974)

A quintessential disaster film featuring an ensemble cast and high-stakes drama centered around a skyscraper fire.

Josh Clark [27:14]: "The Towering Inferno... no..."

b. Earthquake (1974)

Known for its shaky camera effects simulating an earthquake, though criticized for unintentionally schlocky elements.

Chuck Bryant [28:00]: "Earthquake did not really mean to be schlocky. It just kind of ended up being schlocky."

c. Twister (1996) and Independence Day (1996)

Pioneered the 1990s disaster boom with groundbreaking special effects, setting new standards for the genre.

Josh Clark [38:06]: "Twister... Independence Day... using emerging CGI computer-assisted special effects."

d. Contagion (2011)

Praised for its realistic portrayal of a pandemic, differentiating itself from traditional schlocky disaster films.

Chuck Bryant [49:39]: "Contagion... doesn't play like one because it is so realistically scary."

6. Cultural Impact and Evolution

Disaster films have mirrored societal fears, from nuclear anxieties in the 1970s to climate change in recent decades. The genre's adaptability has allowed it to remain relevant, though often at the cost of reinforcing outdated stereotypes.

Josh Clark [43:19]: "Like, if you can just kind of hold your nose and make it through stuff like that, then you can enjoy them."

7. Conclusion

Josh and Chuck conclude by acknowledging the genre's enduring appeal despite its flaws. They emphasize that disaster films serve both as thrilling entertainment and cultural barometers, reflecting and shaping audience perceptions of global crises.

Chuck Bryant [54:37]: "We've unlocked bliss in our mail."

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Clark [05:03]: "Transportation is Huge. People love screwing up... the entire movie takes place over some sort of disaster in all of its after effects."

• Chuck Bryant [10:25]: "Black characters will die almost certainly and usually first."

• Josh Clark [27:14]: "The Towering Inferno... no..."

• Josh Clark [38:06]: "Twister... Independence Day... using emerging CGI computer-assisted special effects."

• Chuck Bryant [49:39]: "Contagion... doesn't play like one because it is so realistically scary."

This episode provides a thorough exploration of disaster films, offering listeners both nostalgic reflections and critical insights into the genre's mechanics and societal implications.