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A gripping disaster movie for adults reflecting back on their lives.
Ronald Neame’s disaster thriller The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is a very entertaining movie full of steel beams and flooding water. I found it takes about a half hour to really find its pace as it starts off with tons of slower character introductions, but you do at least begin to care about most of the main cast. Neame’s direction is gripping once the disaster occurs as the threat of rising water is ever present and falling debris a constant fear. I found myself lost in the frantic chaos and scared panic. The Poseidon Adventures flows into riveting action and keeps ebbing until the bitter end.
I do not think The Poseidon Adventure comes close to the masterful direction and compelling writing of Robert Wise’s The Hindenburg (1975), which I feel remains the greatest disaster epic ever made. But, The Poseidon Adventure is entertaining and I think most viewers will find enjoyment out of the largely good acting and intimidating scenarios. The dangerous events should keep any audience thrilled until it’s gone. Water and infighting being the enemy is an interesting concept unto itself.
John Williams’ score is engaging with his usual symphonic flair of sounds sweeping over all the action. I like the main theme here, but it does feel very 1970’s hippie love theme rather than music for a disaster thriller. The production design for the cruise ship is impressive as everything looks real and practical. The metal pipes, grates, and beams scattered everywhere make for great dangerous objects. The dining hall is a fun sequence of death in the beginning. The finale in the engine room filled with fire is also a cool change of pace.
I rather like the writing as these characters are very round and developed. They have their own motivations, development, and personalities without feeling like they simply exist to live and die on screen for 2 hours. Gene Hackman is gripping and inspiring as the fiery and resourceful Reverend Scott. His impassioned sermons are fascinating and motivational speeches of self-improvement. Hackman entertains you with his leadership and proactive ideas to the very end. I really wanted Hackman to get off that cruise ship alive as he sacrifices so much and puts up with endless adversity.
Likewise, I love Shelley Winters as Belle Rosen. Her portly physique costs her much ridicule, but her kind heart and helpful performance is as fun as she is endearing. What an actress Shelley Winters was; I’m grateful we got so many wonderful roles from her. Furthermore, Jack Albertson is great as Winters’ adoring and supporting husband Manny Rosen too. I felt quite sorry for him as he’s easily one of the most sympathetic figures here.
Ernest Borgnine is hilarious as the screaming cop Rogo, who serves as both muscle and devil’s advocate to everything Hackman suggests. He delivers a moving speech at the end with some serious sad acting in his facial expressions. I liked the mean spirited and hopeless nature of both Borgnine’s character and his wife’s lady played by the sultry and stunning Stella Stevens. She is really gorgeous here, but she’s only present to serve as eye candy in underwear.
On the other hand, Roddy McDowall is nice as the boat guide Acres, even if he is short lived on screen. Red Buttons is really likable and helpful as James Martin. He is relatable as he tries desperately to aid the hysterical Nonnie Parry, played by the dull and pretty Carol Lynley, who is just awful here. She overacts every scene and is clearly in The Poseidon Adventure to sing the theme and look hot.
Leslie Nielsen is really good as The Captain, but he gets hardly any screen time unfortunately. Eric Shea is great as the boat knowledgeable Robin Shelby, but he gets annoying quickly as many child actors do. I should mention that the lovely Pamela Sue Martin is excellent as the frightened and forward thinking Susan Shelby. She should have been given much more screen time as she’s a much better actress here than half the cast.
In all, Gene Hackman and Shelley Winters are working overtime giving outstanding acting performances in this silly wet thriller. Although, much of the cast is just fine, the thrills of the sinking cruise ship is enough to entertain me throughout The Poseidon Adventure.
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Customer reviews
Best disaster movie ever! The collective cast couldn't have been any better. The sets, the music, the suspense...awesome. If you haven't seen this movie, I would highly recommend it. The best of an era and better than anything made today. There were several remakes, none of which came close to this original film. Despite having top celebrities in the remakes, they never could capture the spirit of the original.
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