Watched to see headliner Robert Culp who i had seen recently on Cold Winter's Death among other things and i liked it so decided to give this a go. Although Culp headlines, and the movie opens with him, he quickly falls back to play 2nd fiddle to Milner, who takes charge in making the townsfolk aware of the perilous situation, despite continued reassurances by Mayor Cutler, played by Richard Basehart, that the dam will hold as it always has before. While Milner does do a great job, zipping around town in a nerdy yellow second generation Ford Mustang, there isn't really enough going here to give this movie much oomph. Barbara Hershey is on board as Mayor Cutler's daughter in a somewhat muted role as a nurse at the hospital working under Dr. Ted Horne, played by veteran actor Walt Bissell. Carol Lynley stars in a bit part as the much younger and very pregnant wife Cameron Mitchell, who is in charge of plugging the dam holes and taking orders from Mayor Cutler. So the cast does offer some interest in itself, but none of the supporting cast really steps up and shines and Culp's performance, while not bad, is a bit disappointing.
I think the writing was bad in a couple of areas, especially with Hershey who could have done much more. Her odd relationship with Milner doesn't really help matters. Also the weirdest part was that of Roddy McDowall, who figures prominently in the credits. As the movie begins McDowall is being shuttled to his fish camp by Culp but never appears again. Parts must have been cut out. Hershey could have been more alluring and McDowell could have actually been on the movie would have made it a little more interesting maybe.
Rather than explore those possibilities much time is spent on the extremely familiar scenario of the young child Andy, lost and hurt, waiting to be rescued. I think we've all seen this on Lassie and every other old tv show. But anyway Flood is a fun watch. I enjoy these old tv movies from the 70's. Oh and Lief Erickson is on this movie.
I think the writing was bad in a couple of areas, especially with Hershey who could have done much more. Her odd relationship with Milner doesn't really help matters. Also the weirdest part was that of Roddy McDowall, who figures prominently in the credits. As the movie begins McDowall is being shuttled to his fish camp by Culp but never appears again. Parts must have been cut out. Hershey could have been more alluring and McDowell could have actually been on the movie would have made it a little more interesting maybe.
Rather than explore those possibilities much time is spent on the extremely familiar scenario of the young child Andy, lost and hurt, waiting to be rescued. I think we've all seen this on Lassie and every other old tv show. But anyway Flood is a fun watch. I enjoy these old tv movies from the 70's. Oh and Lief Erickson is on this movie.