Classic Disaster Films Trivia Quiz

Answer: Twister

A group of tornado chasers get up close and personal with an F5 twister. The film offers some great special effects throughout. Who can forget the flying cow? Bill Paxton has co-starred in a variety of films including "The Terminator" and "Apollo 13." He played the role of polygamist Bill Henrickson in the TV series "Big Love" as well as Randall McCoy in the miniseries "Hatfields and McCoys."

Answer: Independence Day

A hostile alien takeover of planet Earth leads to some excellent special effects in this 1996 blockbuster film that made Will Smith a superstar. Smith is a multi-talented performer. He has received Grammy Awards as well as American Music and MTV Video Awards. He has also been nominated for Best Actor Oscars.

Answer: The Poseidon Adventure

The last run of a luxury liner meets disaster head-on as it is turned upside down by the force of a rogue wave. Who will survive? Gene Hackman stars alongside Ernest Borgnine, both great character actors and Academy Award winners.

Answer: Backdraft

This 1991 film pays homage to the bravery and skill of firefighters. Directed by Ron Howard, it also stars Robert DeNiro, William Baldwin, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. A serial arsonist is on the loose and it's the responsibilty of a two firefighters, who happen to be brothers at odds with each other, to find out who it is.

The arsonist turns out to be closer than they realize. The term backdraft refers to a dangerous situation where a fire has consumed all the oxygen in a room then explodes once more oxygen is introduced by opening a window or door.

Answer: The High and the Mighty

First Officer John Wayne has to make some tough decisions in order to land the plane safely after the pilot loses his confidence. The film is as much a character study as it suspenseful, minus the computer graphics of modern cinema. Because he had starred in war films and westerns, it was good to see the Duke in a completely different role. Robert Stack, who went on to star as Eliot Ness in the TV series "The Untouchables," plays the role of the pilot dealing with personal issues.

Answer: A Night to Remember

Before James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster "Titanic", there was this little gem. This 1958 British film is based on Walter Lord's book of the same name about the events surrounding the sinking of the doomed luxury liner. The film is told from the perspective of the 2nd Officer Charles Lightoller who survived the disaster. British actor Kenneth More plays the role of Lightoller.

Answer: The Devil at 4 O'Clock

A volcano erupts on an island in French Polynesia, trapping children, teachers, a priest, and three convicts. Who will be saved before the volcano destroys the entire island? Spencer Tracy stars as the priest who has stumbled upon a secret: the island is home to a leper colony. Frank Sinatra co-stars as one of the convicts in this 1961 film that has some great special effects.

Answer: On the Beach

Based on a post-apocalyptic novel by Nevil Shute, this thought-provoking but somewhat depressing film tells the story of a group of survivors of a nuclear war who are all facing certain death. Fred Astaire, in a rare dramatic role, and Ava Gardner co-star. Gregory Peck was already an established leading actor by the time he starred in this 1959 film.

Answer: The Omega Man

Based on Richard Matheson's novel "I am Legend," the story is centered around the lone survivor of a world destroyed as a result of germ warfare. Charlton Heston, bare-chested for much of the film, stars as the lone survivor of the apocalypse...or is he really alone?

Answer: Armageddon

Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck star as deep core drillers faced with the ultimate challenge of saving the planet from an enormous asteroid about to hit Earth. The film was released in 1998 and co-stars Billy Bob Thornton and Liv Tyler. The film was tailor-made for Willis who has starred in other high-octane roles such as "Die Hard" and "Last Man Standing."