The iconic skyline of Los Angeles has endured quite a bit of damage in its cinematic career, from violent earthquakes, raging tornadoes, and exploding volcanoes.
Seeing L.A. destroyed on film draws a big audience, as , the “what if” scenario is an easy way for Hollywood’s filmmakers to bring in the big bucks.
Earthquakes are among the most common natural disasters to ravage L.A. on film, starting with the hugely successful 1974 release of “Earthquake.”
An 8.3 magnitude earthquake destroys Los Angeles. The all-star cast included Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, and Walter Mathau.
The film, budgeted at $7 million, ended up bringing in $79 million. Volcanoes also destroy the City of Angels, with films like “Volcano”, a 1997 release starring Tommy Lee Jones, Don Cheadle, and Anne Heche. An earthquake strikes the city; however, this quake sets off volcanic activity underneath the city, where soon after an eruption occurs.
Even the Mayans are depicting the destruction of L.A., with Roland Emmerich’s upcoming film “2012.” The Mayan prophecy of the apocalypse comes true in the upcoming blockbuster as the trailer showing scenes of the 405 freeway, laden with traffic, crumbling to ashes.
Another very common concept with the great state of California is the idea of a massive quake causing the Golden State to split apart from the continental US.
“In Escape from L.A.” Kurt Russell tries to escape from L.A. which has become part of a penal colony after a 9.6 magnitude quake causes the San Fernando Valley to flood with water, becoming known as the “San Fernando Sea,” turning the city into a penal colony for fugitives.
One of the more recent natural disasters to “strike” southern California is not an earthquake, but a tornado.
The consequences of global warming strike particularly hard in “The Day After Tomorrow,” as tornados tear through the landscape of downtown L.A., as recognizable landmarks are torn apart by an F5 class tornado.
While not all of these films become instant classics, a well-done disaster film can entertain an audience with spectacular special effects.
“California Island” may not be in the state’s foreseeable future, but the thought itself is captivating; the next big earthquake could be the basis for the next big film.