Rollercoaster was one of the more pleasurable by-products of the brief Sensurround craze of the 1970s. Nutsoid Timothy Bottoms sabotages an amusement park roller coaster, killing several innocent revellers. After several other acts of terrorism, Bottoms presents his demands to the authorities via audio tape: $1 million, or hell stage five roller coaster disasters simultaneously in five different parks. Because detective George Segal evinces a grudging respect for the elusive extortionist, Bottoms declares that only Segal will be permitted to deliver the money. Thus the stage is set for an explosive climax, which during the films original run was accompanied by the Sensurround effect, a gimmick that electronically caused the filmgoers chairs to begin shaking and vibrating during the thrill scenes. As with most disaster flicks of the era, Rollercoaster is top-heavy with guest stars, including Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Harry Guardino and Susan Strasberg. Watch for 13-year-old Helen Hunt as George Segals spunky daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide