Juggernaut (1974)

A blackmailer demands a huge ransom in exchange for information on how to disarm the seven bombs he placed aboard the transatlantic liner Britannic.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Richard Alan Simmons (as Richard De Koker), Alan Plater (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, David Hemmings

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Harris	...	Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Fallon
Omar Sharif	...	Captain Alex Brunel
David Hemmings	...	Charlie Braddock
Anthony Hopkins	...	Supt. John McCleod
Shirley Knight	...	Barbara Bannister
Ian Holm	...	Nicholas Porter
Clifton James	...	Corrigan
Roy Kinnear	...	Social Director Curtain
Caroline Mortimer	...	Susan McCleod
Mark Burns	...	Hollingsworth
John Stride	...	Hughes
Freddie Jones	...	Sidney Buckland
Julian Glover	...	Commander Marder
Jack Watson	...	Chief Engineer Mallicent
Roshan Seth	...	Azad

Storyline

Some unknown maniac is threatening a navigation company to blow up one of its luxury transatlantics, the "Britannic", now in high sea with one thousand two hundred passengers. He is asking for a five hundred thousand pound sterling ransom, otherwise the seven bombs aboard will explode. An experienced anti-bomb squad is sent to the "Britannic", but although all the bombs are located, a very high skill level will be necessary to dismantle them. Perhaps that task is impossible.

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Plot Keywords:

time bomb | character name as title | nickname as title | bomb | ransom | 

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Taglines:

Just one last chance to become a hero! [Clifton James]

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The project was originally to be directed by Bryan Forbes. After his departure, Don Taylor was hired, but departed four weeks before shooting was to begin. Richard Lester then came on-board. He re-wrote the script with Alan Plater. Writer and producer Richard Alan Simmons was unhappy with the changes, and had his name taken off the movie, choosing to be credited as "Richard de Koker".

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Goofs

On one of its fly pasts, the Hercules aircraft carrying the bomb disposal team has its rear tail door in the fully open position, yet the next scene is of the rear door being opened.

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Quotes

Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Fallon: [speaking of life after death] I'll see you when I discover the secrets of the universe.

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Connections

Spoofed in Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm (2000)

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Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
(1788)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Played by a band when the Britannic is leaving port

User Reviews

One of my favourites

This movie has long been one of my most viewed videos for the following reasons. It has the considerable talents of the late Mr Roy Kinnear absolutely larking about on the high seas as the entertainment officer, which as anybody knows who has been in the business, is performed with perfect abplom. He cannot be faulted in a role just made for his considerable skills. Tony Hopkins as always underplays his role just to the point where you would want to kick him in the pants and get a move on. But this is just another great performance in a super movie where dramatic build up is mounted on each act of terrorism to a state where you dont know what action is about to explode from the drums within. Freddie Jones as the Hijacker and Omar as the captain also excel. The great Richard Harris has his ears and hands absolutely full with the horrific possibilities of being blowing sky high by the explosives placed on the ship, watch it and see what I mean. Overall a great "Disaster" movie of the genre. Only criticism would be the lack of music score which I think would have added in places a nearly always dramatic effect, but still warrants an eight point five out of ten.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Juggernaut

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,375,425

Company Credits

Production Co:

David V. Picker Productions, Two Roads Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1