A Fire in the Sky (TV 1978)

Astronomers discover a comet that they believe will crash into Phoenix, Arizona. They attempt to warn officials, but no one believes them.

Director:

Jerry Jameson

Writers:

Michael Blankfort, Paul Gallico (story),

Stars:

Richard Crenna, Elizabeth Ashley, David Dukes

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Crenna	...	Jason Voight
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Sharon Allan
David Dukes	...	David Allan
Joanna Miles	...	Jennifer Dreiser
Lloyd Bochner	...	Paul Gilliam
Merlin Olsen	...	Stan Webster
Andrew Duggan	...	President
Maggie Wellman	...	Carol
Nicolas Coster	...	Governor
Marj Dusay	...	Ellen Gilliam
John Larch	...	Johnson
Kip Niven	...	Mac
William Bogert	...	Lustus
Jenny O'Hara	...	Ann Webster
Michael Biehn	...	Tom Rearden

Storyline

Astronomers discover a comet that they believe will crash into Phoenix, Arizona. They attempt to warn officials, but no one believes them.

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Plot Keywords:

astronomer | phoenix arizona | meteor | disaster | panic

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Feuer aus dem All

Filming Locations:

Metropolitan area, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Pictures Television, Bill Driskill Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[posted on a gas pump in evacuated desert area]
sign: To anyone crazy enough to be standing here reading this: help yourself!

User Reviews

Superb 70's disaster movie (7 out of 10)

A long forgotten about classic disaster movie, this one was certainly far superior to bigger budget, moronic trash like "Armageddon". Scientists discover a large comet is heading towards a possible collision with earth, while many believe it will ultimately miss or burn up hitting the atmosphere, two astronomers are convinced its going to hit just outside Phoenix Arizona, and with the help of a news station owner try to warn a skeptical public. If you watch this movie expecting spectacular effects like "Deep Impact" you'll be disappointed, although the special effects it does have are very good for its time, they are not really this movie's highlight. But what this movie does do exceptionally well is explore the kind reaction one would expect from the public and officials to the prospect of such a bizarre, massive and seemingly unlikely disaster, which is total disbelief and denial. Then panic and chaos sets in as they realize that not only is the destruction of Phoenix inevitable, but they may have waited too long to evacuate everyone. The final 30 minutes or so are particularly effective, even grim at times as evacuation crews and the military run out of time and are themselves ordered to leave, with one peering down from a helicopter at thousands trapped on a jammed highway saying "These people are on their own". Performances range from effective to rather weak, the late Richard Crenna is pretty good as astronomer Voight whom desperately pounds-podiums left and right trying to get people to listen to him, and delivers some of the more memorable one liners, such as "You can't miss us, there's a big white arrow pointing right down at us!" 7 out of 10, perhaps a bit too long and not for everyone, but a personal favorite and worth a look if you can find it.