The Deadly Tower

You ever wanted to hear a studio's entire gunshot sound effect library? You also want to hear me talk about this movie for about twenty minutes and keep on calling Charles Whitman, Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass my ass!

Based on a true shooting spree, The Deadly Tower is serviceable as a thriller and has a conscientious approach to the subject (not that Americans actually heeded its warning - gun laws still being contested decades and dozens of massacres later). It could have stood to be better written and acted, but it's not a waste of time.

Sensitive and even-handed.

Probably the best guy-in-a-high-place-shooting-at-innocent-pedestrians-below movies of the 70s (the other being "Two Minute Warning").

Knowing very little about Whitman and his horrific killing spree, I found this not only a well-made film but a fascinating account of what happened that day (artistic license notwithstanding). The filmmakers should be commended for their neutral approach, giving us the fear of the public, visceral glee of the shooter and panic of the police in equal measure. Yes it's a bit cheap and some of the acting/line delivery is pathetic, but the gritty '70s nature of it all allows much of this to slide.