The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Ronald Neame

Writers:

Paul Gallico (novel)
Wendell Mayes (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Thriller | Action | Drama

Tagline:

Hell, Upside Down

Plot:

A group of passengers struggle to survive and escape, when their ocean liner completely capsizes at sea.

Plot Keywords:

Flooding | Visceral | Race Against Time | Fire Hose Used As Rope | Husband Wife Relationship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Oct. 13	11:30 AM	AMC
Tue. Oct. 14	6:30 AM	AMC

Cast

Gene Hackman	...	Rev. Frank Scott
Ernest Borgnine	...	Det. Lt. Mike Rogo
Red Buttons	...	James Martin
Carol Lynley	...	Nonnie Parry
Roddy McDowall	...	Acres
Stella Stevens	...	Linda Rogo
Shelley Winters	...	Belle Rosen
Jack Albertson	...	Manny Rosen
Pamela Sue Martin	...	Susan Shelby
Arthur O'Connell	...	Chaplain John
Eric Shea	...	Robin Shelby
Fred Sadoff	...	Mr. Linarcos
Sheila Allen	...	Nurse Gina Rowe (as Sheila Mathews)
Jan Arvan	...	Dr. Caravello
Byron Webster	...	Purser

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System) | Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG (video rating) | Iceland:16 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | UK:A (original rating)

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Irwin Allen Productions

Trivia:

Sally Kellerman was originally offered the role of Linda Rogo.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Susan jumps from a table attached to the ceiling, she isn't wearing shoes. When she lands in the table cloth, she's clearly wearing shoes.

Quotes:

Chief Engineer Joe: Chief here. Go ahead.
Captain Harrison: Joe, what the hell's going on down there? Is there nothing more you can do with those stabilizers?
Chief Engineer Joe: There's nothing wrong with the stabilizers, so there's nothing more I can do with them. Besides, I've got my hands full with this pump! You know damn well what the trouble is - it's the bastard Linarcos!
Captain Harrison: Would you care to repeat yourself? He's standing right here.
Chief Engineer Joe: Good! I hope he heard me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Castle of Fu-Manchu (#4.23)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

The Song From The Poseidon Adventure

Hell, Upside Down

The aging liner Poseidon, on her final journey, is struck by a tidal wave that knocks her upside down. A small group of passengers realise that if they want to survive they must journey up into the bowels of the ship hoping for rescue from above.

The idea is well conceived and the excellent cast turn in good performances despite getting little help from the somewhat corny script. With above average special effects for the time and excellent sets that convincingly realise the upside down half-flooded ship and its bewildering maze of passageways, the movie manages to be compelling and exciting viewing.