Representing the archetypical 1970s disaster film, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE starts poorly, but makes up for it with just enough thrills to make it a good entertainment.
With a large all-star cast, the beginning peeks into the lives of the characters. Rev. Frank Scott (Gene Hackman, HOOSIERS) is a rebellious preacher on his way to Africa. He believes that God doesn’t want us to play the victim, but be the hero in our lives. Det. Lt. Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine, MARTY) is a loud-mouthed cop, who is married the younger and beautiful former prostitute Linda (Stella Stevens, THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE). James Martin (Red Buttons, THE LONGEST DAY) is a lonely health nut, who befriends the scared singer Nonnie Parry (Carol Lynley, THE CAT AND THE CANARY). Acres (Roddy McDowall, PLANET OF THE APES) is a waiter, who works on the ship and serves as the survivor guide through the levels of the ship. Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters, LOLITA) is an over-weight woman, who panics easily and is married to the caring Manny (Jack Albertson, WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY). Susan Shelby (Pamela Sue Martin, TV’s DYNASTY) is a pretty teen, who is taking care of her intelligent, but pushy, little brother Robin (Eric Shea, 1968’s YOURS, MINE AND OURS). Capt. Harrison (Leslie Nielsen, NAKED GUN) is the stoic head of the ship, who tries desperately to save the vessel when the giant wave comes racing toward them.
Once flipped, Rev. Scott tries to round up the survivors to climb to the engine room, where the bottom of the boat is the thinnest, in an effort to spur their rescue instead of just waiting to die. The first act setting up the characters is weak. Outside of Rev. Scott, the cast is stock. The attempts at humor are cheesy. And let’s not go into the action sequence when the wave flips the boat. The effects even look weak for 1972 standards and the editing is awful.
At first, director Ronald Neame (THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE) seems out of his element with the big action film. His direction in the beginning is bland and paced poorly, creating no tension whatsoever. However, once the boat is upside-down, the obstacles and characters make for a nice thrill ride. Neame’s direction seems to liven up as well.
The constant bickering between Rev. Scott and Det. Rogo is good. Though they may not be totally original, I still liked the character dynamics between the Rosens, the Rogos, James and Nonnie and the Shelbys. The actors sell their characters, especially Hackman, who isn’t afraid to let us not like the reverend’s unbending opinions. He embodies the theme of the survival story as well as being the most interesting character. The other aspect I liked was that the film wasn’t afraid to be a tragedy in the end. Characters we care about die and the film never flinches. If you can get through the C-grade set-up, the film delivers in the end.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
