Lessons from The Poseidon Adventure…
Okay, I realize this movie dates me just a little. If you haven’t seen it then may I suggest you dig it up and watch it this weekend. (Hopefully you’ll see past some of the 70’s cheese, like Maureen McGovern singing, “There’s Got To Be A Morning After.” *Do not watch the re-make, it’s dreadful. The 1972 film is comprised of 15 academy award winners – you can’t beat that!
This is one of those films that can be enjoyed on two levels. If you enjoy action packed disaster films then this one definitely delivers. It takes around 15 minutes or so to establish the characters, but after that, it never lets up. That’s level one. Beyond that is a story told on a thematic level. For those who are astute, the story is FULL of symbols and profound meaning. 
The story takes place on a luxury cruise-line. It’s New Year’s Eve – the one day each year we make promises to improve ourselves. Just after the strike of midnight a tidal wave hits Poseidon, and the ship is capsized. After the initial shock and devastation the survivors find themselves in two camps. There are those who wait in the banquet room, now on the bottom of the ship, listening to the promises of the Chaplain. He insists that they’ll all be rescued and gives instruction to sit and wait. The other group is persuaded and led by Reverend Scott, played by Gene Hackman. He believes the way out is to climb to the top – that which was once the bottom of the ship. Reverend Scott’s way is frightening, it’s the unknown and will require a physical and mental fight. A small group of people follow him.
Watch this 4 minute 55 second trailer to give you a flavor. Keep in mind that the actual movie is not as cheesy as this makes it look.
http://theposeidonadventure.net/
Those who chose to go with Reverend Scott find out, very quickly, that they made the right decision. The main characters each represent a type of person that we can identify with. Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine) is a nay sayer, antagonistic, negative and questioning every step of the way. Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman) is positive, hopeful, and a fighter who won’t give up. Nonnie (Carol Lynley) is frightened, child like, anxious and resistant. Acres (Roddy McDowall) is warm, compassionate and a caretaker. He smoothes the way for Nonnie. Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters) is positive and brave. She battles on despite her weight, motivated by the hope of seeing her grandson. Manny Rosen (Jack Albertson) is a good and decent man who follows in faith. (Linda Rogo (Stella Stevens) cares only about her own survival and doesn’t care who she steps on along the way. There are also two children, a boy and a young teen. The boy, though slightly precocious, knows the way out because he was given a tour by the captain. You can imagine that Mike Rogo doesn’t like the idea of listening to some kid.
All in all, the movie is much deeper than you might imagine. The story is relevant on so many levels. I think it’ll stay with you for a long time if you open yourself to the greater meaning.
In addition to fine actors giving great performancess (Shelley Winters swimming, Gene Hackman’s soliloquy while he turns the valve, Ernest Borgnines…well, Ernest Borgnine), the song the band sings also got an Academy Award for “There’s Got To Be A Morning After”.
Great flick!!!
Oh, and Leslie Nielsen in a straight role too!
I know, right?! It’s always been one of my favorites despite the cheesy quality. So much there…
This is a great flick and so glad you posted about its meaning as well. Seen it so many times, and enjoy it each time I watch it.
Thanks! It’s such a great movie, made only better by the fact that it has all that deeper meaning. I’m sure some watch it on a surface level, but isn’t it more satisfying to watch it for the bigger message? It’s one of my favorites.
Dear Gripping,
I agree. Wonderful movie…but I haven’t watched it in awhile! I may have to get it at the library for my kids! I love showing them movies like this!
🙂
Love, Lis
xoxo
I need to watch it again. I actually have a copy. The first time I saw it I was 10 years old. It never left me as far as pondering the bigger meaning behind it. I don’t remember if I ever showed it to my grown kids?? Good call! I’m going to suggest they watch it.
Have a great day, Lisa!! xoxox
Oh my you sure took me back to the movie theater at Military Circle Mall 🙂 I remember sitting through it twice..Loved it and I cried like a baby.. I actually like that “cheesy” song, always tears me up!
I’m going to have to re-watch this!!!
Haha! I know, I can’t lie I like that cheesy song, too! Guapo said it won an academy award – I had no idea. This is one of those movies that you watch and imagine yourself in. I always watch that Scene with shelley Winters and I think, could I have done that? Or that scene with Gene Hackman at the end, would I have done that? Of course, in every survival movie I always imagine that I’d survive – but would I?
Yeah, I cry every time, too.
We are sister’s from other Mothers 🙂
Here’s a flashback for you.. i was riding home from work yesterday and don’t ask me why I thought of this but i was remembering when my grandmother took me to see “Thoroughly Modern Millie” I loved Julie Andrews…lol
Lol! I totally forgot about that movie! I think I saw the matinee with my older sister. Julie Andrews is pure nostalgia, classic 60’s. Thanks for jogging my memory!
The remake, is that Poseidon, made in 2011, or recent in any case? I’ve seen that one, but I didn’t like it that much. If you make a movie on a ship crash, it’s just way too hard to beat Titanic… 🙂
Yeah, you have to watch the 1972 version. it’s amazing. The re-makes spend all their time on special effects rather than story. That’s what makes them awful. The characters in the 1972 version are great, not to mention the acting. If you can ever find it, give it a chance. You won’t be sorry. Oh, and look for the symbols and deeper meaning.
This is a great flick. I haven’t seen it in a while, so I should probably re-watch it. I always like the doubtful crowd that stays behind. It’s like, see ya later suckas!
LOL!! I know, right!? Don’t you think Cooks and Emily would be part of that crowd? haha!
It’s definitely possible…most of our family would’ve been probably!
Yeah, probably dad and Bud would stay behind. Not me and not you. We would’ve climbed outta there!
Wow, that is a blast from the past and that song, good grief, I’ve not thought of that in years!!! HA! I’ll have to revisit this movie, Grippy. Haven’t seen it in decades. Thanks for the recap and your always astute take on things. Now I’ll be seeing those “things between the lines.” xxoo
Thanks, Brig! I’ve loved this film since I was 11 years-old. haha! When you look back at the production value it’s really a little dated, but with all good movies, once you get into it, you don’t notice those things so much. I read something that said the director hadn’t intended for it to be interpreted any other way other than at face value. I find that amazing since it’s chuck full of other meaning. It becomes almost a parable of sorts.
See if you can dig it up and watch it. Look for the hidden symbols and themes. It’s amazing.
This film is a bit like the perfect road trip–it can be cheesy in parts, however, you always end up remembering the great bits and taking away the amazing conversations you have with your car companion, even if you’ve known each other for a long time.
When Shelley makes that swim? I cry. Every. Single. Time.
Me too: ( I’m amazed that the director wasn’t aware of all the symbols and other interpretations that could be had. I read something that said he shot it as an adventure movie and nothing more. Meanwhile, if you’re even a little astute, you can see that it’s like a parable of sorts. And all the symbols! I think the characters are perfectly written, the acting is top notch, and the story is more than meets the eye. What about Gene Hackman in that scene at the end… who among us would make that sacrifice?
The movie I can’t wait to see is “Les Mis” that is coming out this holiday season. The actors actually did LIVE singing in each take!! I started welling up when Hugh Jackman is discussing his opening soliloquy, and, by the time they get to ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, I was weeping–and this was during the trailer!! Wanna go? I’ll spring for the popcorn!!
http://www.laineygossip.com/Articles/Details/24670/Les-Miserables-extended-trailer-featurette-is-amazing
Heck yeah, I’ll go!!! It looks so good, doesn’t it? Just the music alone would be enough but when you add the sets, costumes and story, well, I can only imagine that I’ll be seeing it multiple times. Anna Karinina also looks worthwhile. Finally we’re over the summer crap movies! Yay!
I’ve only seen this movie once and that was when it was in the theater. I went with my mom and on the way home her radiator blew and water spurted out and when we got home the football game that was being televised was rained out! I’ll definitely have to watch this movie again. All those good actors! It sounds wonderful and I hardly remember any it so it will be like seeing it for the first time.
Oh, then you’ll love it, Linda. I saw it in the theater, too. I think I went back to see it the following week, too! It’s dated, for sure, but once you get past that issue it’s not hard to get absorbed into it. I always like to imagine myself in those situations – would I be the scaredy cat crying in the corner or would I be pro-active and trying to figure a way out? I guess you don’t know until you’re in that situation. The scene with Shelley Winters is especially memorable. It’s just a great story with lots of hidden meaning and symbols. Can you believe it came out 40 years ago?
I saw the porn version. Only the huge-breasted women survived–they floated to safety. Thanks for the mamories. HF
Oh, that just figures! Well, I never thought I’d say this but, HF, I’m glad I could provide you with those mamories. Enjoy the rest of your day!
The only thing I learned from the remake was not to get close seats during an IMax showing. It’s almost impossible to see a thing. I actually saw it at the IMax theater on the pier in Chicago. We’re so connected.
I feel so close to you now. haha! But you might as well have seen King Kong for all it’s similarities. Seriously, the 1972 version is COMPLETELY different. If you get a chance, watch it. You won’t regret it.
IMAX theaters are barfy, in my opinion.
Quite amazing if one has been a fan of Paul Gallico’s novels like ‘Jenny’ and ‘Thomasina’ (as a boy, I sneaked off to private places to cry my eyes out over those) to think that he turned out the story on which the film was based.
Remakes are such a silly idea. ‘Oh, come on chaps, let’s repaint the Mona Lisa, shall we? Give her a more modern twist and some more of her boobs showing …’
Haha! Remakes are usually more concerned with improving the special effects and so they end up neglecting the story and characters. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a remake that was better than the original.
Was Thomasina made into a Disney movie? It sounds familiar.
I love this film. Shelley Winters is my fav– not to be redundant with your other comments. I love the old films.. the 50, 60 and 70’s — lots of inuendo and double layers smartly hidden for our musings. Not like some of the dumb downed modern movies. ( the movie does not date you either)
I agree. The older movies were so much smarter. They were rich with innuendo and multiple layers. Maybe because they were more interested in telling a good story rather than having a car chase or using special effects? Give me a good old fashioned story that causes me to think long after the movie has ended, and I’ll be happy. Can you believe this film is 40 years old?
stop thinking about the numbers… enjoy the damn movie haa. I have to admit I love all the cheesey romance movies… Doris Day, Cary Grant sigh..
I love the old romance movies, too. They don’t make men like Cary Grant any more. Sigh.
I’ve only seen the last hour of this movie on TV years ago, but I was floored by how awesome it was and how much I want to see the entire thing. I think I may just have to do that soon!
Emily, I think you would LOVE it.
I always thought this movie was underappreciated too. I loved Gene Hackman in this–I actually found him kinda sexy in this role–and Shelley Winters’s character broke my heart. Did you by any chance see the remake? Laughable.
The remake is total crap. I think most remakes forget about the story and concentrate their efforts on special effects.
I’m with you, Weebs, Gene Hackman had it going on. Would I follow him? HELL YEAH! Even as an 11 year old I knew a hot Reverend when I saw one! Haha!
That Shelley Winters scene is permanently etched in my brain. I LOVE her. This movie is a gem with all the metaphors and hidden meaning. You’re right, it was underappreciated.
Without a doubt by two favorites moments of dialogue in this, let’s face it, camp classic are:
1) As Mrs. Rosen lays there dead Martin (Red Buttons) suddenly dips into the camera frame, mutters a quick “God bless, Mrs. Rosen”, and slips away. I don’t know why, but that is written in permanent marker in my brain.
2) Near the end when the Linda, the bad girl gone good, takes a tumble into the unforgiving machinery crusty Rogo wails to everyone else within 300 miles, “My Lindaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!”
I know, two odd snippets, but they stick with me.
Oh my gosh, John, just reading that gives me a chill. Those are two incredibly powerful scenes. I think the acting was so top notch that the audience felt like they were right there with them. I know I did. That’s why we can still watch it and enjoy it. It’s a classic. Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Gene Hackman, Jack Albertson and Roddy Macdowall – does it get much better than that?
I haven’t seen it in quite awhile, but you are so right about it. It is amazing how the movie transported me into the ship – I almost felt as if I was figuring out how to survive with the characters. So much hidden meaning in this movie!
I’m so glad you feel the same way I do! It was an amazing movie and very under rated. I follow along thinking the same thing – with every survivor/disaster movie including Titanic. My kids were like, “Oh, sure mom. Don’t even pretend you would survive.” hahah!
I think I saw this a while back. Maybe I’ll put it on my netflix. I might have been one to dismiss this as cheesy — but now I’m interested!
Hey Sandee! Yeah, if you can get past the 70’s cheese of the production, and I think you can, it’s an amazing story. It’s filled with metaphors and hidden meaning and it’s well acted. I love it.
reading your book – not vey far but really enjoying it!