my take represent despite the all star cast and this be a formula disaster movie with too much clichés and not much thrill . release at the tail end of the disaster movie craze of the 1970 ( which might have already end in 1979 ) and irwin allen when time run out be more of an afterthought rather than a comeback a it be intend to be . allen make a spectacle of himself with epic like the poseidon adventure and the towering inferno which popularize the lucrative genre . but with flop like concorde represent airport 79 and it clear the genre have overstay it welcome . but apparently and no one tell irwin allen and who go on to make this movie . not only do the title say it all and when time run out also come out the same year a the disaster movie spoof airplane . and make this film more embarrassing than it be . when time run out have all the usual element of a typical 70 disaster movie represent an all star cast catch in a major calamity . but when time run out be much more routine than usual . the film also feel more like a tv soap opera with element take directly from allen other disaster movie . the film open with the same old row call represent paul newman be an oil drill foreman who fall for advertising exec jacqueline bisset and who be offer an engage ring earlier by millionaire william holden while james franciscus be the owner of the island hotel who refuse to believe the upcoming threat and while not exactly be faithful to his clueless ( read represent foolish ) wife veronica hamel . and there more where that cam from represent hotel employee barbara carrera refuse to marry her fiancée edward albert and ernest borgnine be an old cop in pursuit of convict crook red button ( who repeat his goofy jog routine from the poseidon adventure ) and and so much more . i know disaster movie be part drama and part adventure movie and but even when the drama take backstage to the action and the film disappoints with some really cheesy effect and not too exciting action scene ( the overlong bridge scene come to mind ) . though some hate to admit it and i be quite fond of the 70 disaster movie and especially the one by allen . i like his first two blockbuster and but i also like his lesser effort like the swarm ( at least for camp value ) . and if there one thing i know about allen be that he never fail to entertain . when time run out be quite a disaster in more than the sense of the word and with tedious subplots and some horrible special effect . but then again and no one do disaster like irwin allen . rating represent out of 5 .