A young terrorist kills and injures patrons of a Norfolk amusement park by placing homemade explosives on the track of one of its roller coasters. After staging a similar incident in Pittsburgh, he sends a tape to a meeting of major amusement park executives in Chicago, demanding $1 million to make him stop.
Practical Effects
They built a full-scale coaster section and BLEW IT UP. No CGI, just gasoline and nerve.
Sound
Sensurround low-frequency speakers physically shook theaters — the original 4D experience.
Production
Shot at real parks (Kings Dominion, Magic Mountain) with actual crowds unaware of filming.
Director
James Goldstone
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sensurround required special speakers installed in theaters and a 'Sensurround Consultant' credit — it was used only five times total, including Earthquake and Midway.
Released two years after Jaws made everyone afraid of water, this tried to do for roller coasters what Spielberg did for beaches — theme park attendance actually dipped briefly in 1977.
US
