Disaster on the Coastliner (1979)

Disaster on the Coastliner Poster

A deranged engineer, bent on revenge for the deaths of his wife and daughter, sets two passenger trains on a collision course, and con-man William Shatner puts his life on the line to ward off the crash.

Film Introduction:
"Disaster on the Coastliner" is a 1979 American made-for-television-disaster movie directed by Richard C. Sarafian. John Meredith Lucas penned the screenplay, focusing on a computing wrongdoer who sets a clash for 2 trains to trigger a high-intensity crash.

Plot:
The story centers on Stuart Peters, played by Lloyd Bridges, who uses taken innovation to sabotage the signal gadgets in railway tracks. His sinister plan involves directing a guest train called as "The Coastliner 19", on a clash with another guest train, "The Coastliner 17". He does this to avenge his termination from Amtrak - the nationwide rail operator, threatening the lives of numerous innocent travelers while doing so.

Plan's Execution:
Peters executes his plan meticulously, leaving no stone unturned to ensure comprehensive turmoil. His plot sees the two trains on the prepared clash; however, the authorities are amidst an internal power battle, avoiding them from intervening in time. At the exact same time, some guests on the targeted trains are getting suspicious.

Internecine Battle:
Meanwhile, Al Mitchell, played by William Shatner, a washed-up baseball player, and Paula Harvey, a detective played by Yvette Mimieux, also find Peters' wicked strategy. They try to fight the inevitable catastrophe however have actually limited resources and time to fight back. The story unfolds in an exhilarating way, painting an image of a desperate race versus time to prevent the catastrophe. An internecine battle ensues in between the guests, the railways authority, and the criminal at the helm of the disaster.

Dispute Resolution:
While Peters continues to hold the trains captive from his base, the concerned passengers manage to connect with the train authorities. They finally be successful in convincing them about the upcoming catastrophe and the requirement for an instant action. Overcoming their distinctions, they band together to stop the trains and conserve themselves from an approaching catastrophe.

Final Outcome:
Their ruthless efforts cause rising stress and nail-biting moments toward the climax of the story. The travelers, with the aid of authorities, manage to avoid the collision. They nab Peters, and justice is served, thus conserving numerous lives.

Movie Reception:
"Disaster on The Coastliner" got general decent reviews upon its release. Some critics applauded its great use of real-life areas, tension-filled plot, and competent performances. Nevertheless, some critics likewise noted its stereotyped characters and rather predictable climax. Nevertheless, its theme of human durability in the face of a crisis added to the overall favorable action. It is one movie in the disaster category that continues to hold its entertainment value, sustaining the thriller till the very end. It's a blend of cat and mouse chase, action, suspense and last-minute heroics that bring an engaging expect the viewers.

Top Cast

  • Lloyd Bridges (small)
    Lloyd Bridges
    Al Mitchell
  • Raymond Burr (small)
    Raymond Burr
    Estes Hill
  • Robert Fuller (small)
    Robert Fuller
    Matt Leigh
  • Pat Hingle (small)
    Pat Hingle
    John Marsh
  • E.G. Marshall (small)
    E.G. Marshall
    Roy Snyder
  • Yvette Mimieux (small)
    Yvette Mimieux
    Paula Harvey
  • William Shatner (small)
    William Shatner
    Stuart Peters
  • Paul L. Smith (small)
    Paul L. Smith
    Jim Waterman / Victor Prescott
  • Arthur Malet (small)
    Arthur Malet
    Southbound Conductor
  • Harry Caesar (small)
    Harry Caesar
    Northbound Conductor
  • Jacque Lynn Colton (small)
    Jacque Lynn Colton
    Mrs. Shanks