The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Ronald Neame

Writers:

Paul Gallico (novel)
Stirling Silliphant (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Hell, Upside Down

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Tidal Wave | Passenger | Survivor | Ocean Liner | Fire

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

L'aventure du Poséidon (Belgium: French title) (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
La aventura del Poseidón (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
A Aventura do Poseidon (Portugal) [pt]
A posszeidon katasztrófa (Hungary) [hu]
Die Höllenfahrt der Poseidon (West Germany) [de]
Harpatka B'Posiedon (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Het avontuur van de Poseidon (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
I peripeteia tou Poseidonos (Greece) [el]
L'aventura del Posidó (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
L'avventura del Poseidon (Italy) [it]
O Destino do Poseidon (Brazil) [pt]
Poseidon Inferno (West Germany) [de]
Poseidon katastrofen (Sweden) [sv]
Poseydon macerasi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
S.S. Poseidonin seikkailu (Finland) [fi]
SOS Poseidon (Sweden) [sv]
SOS Poseidon kalder (Denmark) [da]
Tragedia Posejdona (Poland) [pl]

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 | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | USA:PG (PCA #23341) | 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:

Kent Productions

Trivia:

Some of the pre-capsize sequences were shot aboard the Queen Mary, including the opening storm sequence, the pre-disaster scenes in the staterooms and hallways, the scenes above decks, and an early scene in the engine room.

Goofs:

Continuity: The ship capsizes right at midnight. The combination of the length of the emergency lighting staying on, the rate of sinking and the story being acted out in "real time" makes it impossible for it to be daytime when they are rescued.

Quotes:

Mrs. Belle Rosen: All you need is a pretty wife.
James Martin: I think perhaps I've been a bachelor too long.
Mrs. Belle Rosen: Sure, you're too busy taking all those pills.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Deadly Mantis (#9.4)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

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.