Classic Cinema Spotlight: The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

A Vintage Nerd, The Poseidon Adventure, Classic Movie Blog, 1970s Movies, Gene Hackman Movies

When people ask me what my favorite movies are I have to tell them to give me a decade and genre. There really are too many but I can say for sure that The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is on my list of favorites. There is something special about a movie that takes you along on the adventure. This film has its ups and downs-literally and figuratively-but its the characters and the journey they go on that pull me from the beginning to the very end. Rewatching it this time around for my post was extremely bittersweet especially now with the loss of Gene Hackman. Out of the eleven actors from the main cast only two remain-Pamela Sue Martin (Susan Shelby) and Eric Shea (Robin Shelby). I can honestly say I have watched this film many times through the years, even once on the big screen and every time I am completely captivated.

Before the film, The Poseidon Adventure was an American adventure novel written by Paul Gallico and published in 1969. The film itself is one of many disaster films that were made in the 1970's. What set this film apart was the writing. That credit goes to Stirling Silliphant and Wendell Mayes who adapted Gallico's book into a screenplay. The film was then directed by Ronald Neame (Scrooge 1970) who took on the reins of this massive movie and produced by Irwin Allen who also produced The Towering Inferno (1974).

The film begins with conflict between the SS Poseidon's Captain Harrison played by Leslie Nielsen and Mr. Linarcos played by Fred Sadoff. Mr. Linarcos is a representative of the new owners of the ship who is insistent that ship goes full speed despite having issues with the ships ballast (compartment on ship that regulates water and controls buoyancy). The ship was already on its final voyage to become scrap and a undersea earthquake near Greece along with a looming tsunami coming their way could prove disastrous for everyone aboard the SS Poseidon.

On the days leading the New Year's Eve we get to know more of the main cast of characters such as; Gene Hackman as the Reverend Frank Scott who is a a minister who believes "God helps those who help themselves", Arthur O'Connell as Chaplain John, Pamela Sue Martin and Eric Shea as Susan and Robin Shelby who are traveling to meet their parents, Ernest Borgnine as Det. Lieutenant Mike Rogo and his wife Linda Rogo-a former prostitute played by Stella Stevens, as well as Mr. Manny Rosen and his wife Belle Rosen played by Jack Albertson and Shelley Winters. On the evening of New Year's we get introduced to Mr. James Martin, a lonely health conscious bachelor played by Red Buttons, Nonnie Parry, a singer played by Carol Lynley, and Acres, a waiter played by Roddy McDowall.

While the festivities of the New Year's celebrations are happening the ships Captain receives a warning. Before the Captain can do much of anything the ship is hit broadside and capsizes, floating upside-down because of a combination of the lack of the ships ballast, the condition of the ship, and the tsunami. Suddenly everyone on board goes from celebrating the New Year to being flung upside down in sheer horror. Afterwards Reverend Scott begins to take stock of the situation and makes a decision (thanks to the good idea given by Mr. Martin & Robin) that the safest place to be would be the ships hull. The ships purser tells everyone that this is a mad idea but Acres, Mr. and Mrs. Rosen, Rogo and his wife Linda, Nonnie, Mr. Martin, and Susan and Robin Shelby all decide to climb up the Christmas tree and follow Reverend Scott to the ships hull.

That one decision sets everything in motion for this group of ten survivors. Reverend Scott is a deep believer that one should help themselves as God would want them too-is utterly convinced that if they stay put they will most certainly die. As soon as they all reach the top more explosions happen and the dining room full of the other survivors including Reverend Scott's good friend Chaplain John, all perish when water begins to fill the room and the ship begins to sink.

Reverend Scott's group begins to move toward the hull hoping that they can find a way out. The group climbs a ventilation shaft, enters a flooded engine room, participates in underwater swimming, deals with multiple mini explosions, and enters a dangerous propeller shaft. All the while they are challenged to survive even when some are lost along the way. Any more details about what happens will take away the experience of watching these characters brave the horror of trying to survive in a sinking ship.

Watching what each character goes through and how they manage to move forward hoping that they will find their way out of this nightmare is what makes this film truly an adventure. This film was shot in sequence which is rare in the movie making world. You witness the characters go from glitzy to down trodden which makes it all the more believable. Amazingly all of the actors in this film did most of their own stunts. Ernest Borgnine once said in an interview that this was the most physically demanding movie he ever did. The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is one of my favorite films because takes you on an emotional journey that has many moments of bittersweetness which make this movie utterly unforgettable.