The Classics Corner: The Poseidon Adventure"
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:50AM | By Rachel Thuro 
Release year: 1972
The players: Director: Ronald Neame, Writers: Paul Gallico, Wendell Mayes, Cast: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters
The plot: When an ocean liner is completely capsized by a massive wave at sea, a small group of survivors attempts to make its way up to the bottom of the ship to be rescued.
Modern thoughts on a classic movie: A disaster movie from the '70s just doesn’t sound appealing. All the technological advances of the past few decades have spoiled modern movie audiences into completely writing off anything that doesn’t contain one frame of CGI. So “The Poseidon Adventure” really didn’t stand a chance with the modern viewer, which is why it was a complete surprise when the movie turned out to be really great.
It seems that back in the old days, filmmakers didn’t have the technology of today, so they had to rely heavily on a great story and character development instead of elaborate sets and realistic special effects. The journey for survival starts out with 10 strangers slowly making their way out to freedom, but only six make it there. The characters are so well written and portrayed that no one’s passing feels like a random, expendable character to merely kill off. While some characters get their “just desserts,” other deaths are simply devastating. And this is what makes the film work beautifully. It’s a story of the human spirit and survival. It gives its audience people to root for instead of just a fancy light show.
Of course, the film is slightly imperfect, and there are some minor mishaps. Ernest Borgnine is completely over the top while trying to vie for the spot of alpha male of the group. Unfortunately, he is a necessary evil to pit against Gene Hackman’s leading man. And then there’s Eric Shea, who plays the very young (10-year-old at most) Robin. There is absolutely no reason to put a child in this situation. No good can come of it, especially when they are extremely annoying. But, if you can let these two setbacks slide, you should enjoy the film immensely.
The final word: From start to finish, “The Poseidon Adventure” is one classic that will remain worthy of being viewed by any generation. However, if you prefer style over substance, then feel free to check out the dumbed-down remake from 2005, “Poseidon.” It doesn’t require the thinking or feeling needed to view the original.
Article by Rachel Thuro
Reader Comments (3)
I was going crazy to see this movie when it was released. I was not disappointed. The drama, the panic, the claustrophobia, the acting, and the theme song, "The Morning After", which I still love after all these years, made it a very gripping film. I remember some of my friends from school were at the same matinee as I was, and we couldn't wait to get out of the theater when it was over because we felt like we were trapped and couldn't escape, just like the characters in the film (but in a good way, not like we were trapped and being forced to watch a horrible movie). If a movie can make you feel that in touch with what is going on, it has really accomplished something. BTW, Robin was a character in the book, so I guess they felt compelled to include him, but, yes, he was annoying.
I never saw the original one (only the poor remake), but I have to check it out some time. Sounds pretty intense.
I highly recommend it Franck. The original may not have the style of the remake, but it certainly makes up for it in plot and character development.