The Poseidon Adventure (1972) Movie Review

[@Politano1955]

Its a tradition with my wife and I that we watch this every New Years Eve since we always stay home that night. A great way to end the old year and bringing on the new.

[@agb1953]

Went on a cruise out of Miami in 1973, and that was the onboard movie the first night.

[@deanwirth3627]

the best and most original disaster movie of the 70's. I love the lighting which is from the bottom / the cieling giving it an eerie glow. so much water!!

[@MiBones]

The one thing that strikes me about the 1972 version is how normal are the characters. People you can truly identify, with.

[@matthias_samahl1266]

I love that moment where they're almost saved and Ernest Borgnine looks back one last time..

[@LuisGarcia-cr3pr]

I saw it as a child and is simply part of my life and memories.

[@dtesmagatzem9263]

Great review, loved the film and I agree..I'll never understand why the soundtrack doesn't come up as one of John Williams top works!

[@michaelmiller6579]

This, being my favorite movie since it was first released in 1972, you can imagine all the reviews and stories I've read over the years, and to be honest, most have become stale. But every so often, I come across a new and fresh look into this classic film, and for a moment, I'll feel the excitement again that I experienced as a 12 year old boy when TPA first entered my life. Your review did just that! I think what captivated me the most was the fact that you are from a younger generation and over the years I have found that most from your era don't appreciate The Poseidon Adventure as a great film. I was especially impressed with your knowledge of John William's brilliant score! Most are not even familiar with this particular work, which in my opinion is his best overall! Keep up the good work. I have subscribed and look forward to more great reviews.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you very much! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video and gained some fresh enthusiasm for a long-time favorite from it. And thanks for subscribing!

[@kthx1138]

John Williams' music has that "chill factor". It cuts so deep into the heart and soul with its suspense and drama that it sends chills up and down the spine!

[@feslenraster]

he's a music movie genius and Hall Of Famer for sure

[@paul8926]

There’s got to be a morning after, if we can hold on through the night…

[@stillaboveground2470]

This is the first film I ever saw in a movie theater. (Yes, I'm THAT old!)

[@aricheintzelma6877]

Saw this in a drive-in when I was nine. Try watching this one when you're crammed in a Buick with a family of five. Pure claustrophobia is the only way to describe it, but with snacks. Dad had to throw a blanket on the roof so I could lay up there to watch. I somehow managed to forget (block) that whole experience until after I joined the Navy. Saw my first ship and it all came rushing back.

[@jesgear]

In '71, when this movie played at our local drive -in, my family piled into our station wagon to go see it. I vaguely remember some scenes (ballroom furniture falling, fire, Winters swimming), but I didn't get to watch the full movie; I was just a child then, and my parents encouraged me to sleep in the "bed" they had made up in the back of the car for us children who couldn't stay awake. I've seen the movie since (and enjoyed it), but it's been years since my last viewing, and I need to do so again. Although the ballroom furniture falling is a memory I have from first watching the movie, I did notice a goof when I rewatched it as an adult: many of the chairs stayed on the floor after the ship capsized ... they must've been attached to the floor to avoid hurting the cast and crew. Noticing that made me laugh 😄 I enjoyed your review 🙂

[@patrickrossetti7109]

Can't blame you about the cruise ships. Great review. Thanks👍!

[@niallboyle5211]

An excellent review. This is a powerful, inspirational story emphasising human resilience in the face of disaster. You capture that really well. I didn't realise John Williams composed the score. It didn't feature in his CD with the Berlin philharmonic orchestra. Excelsior!

[@dennisswaim8210]

I saw this movie in the theater when I was 10. I found it very compelling , and I couldn't understand why everybody didn't fallow the Reverend's lead. It was obviously to even my young mind that they were going to have to go up to get out. I have seen it several times since and it holds up very well. You are of course correct it's the character interaction in this life or death situation that makes it so good. The cast was very good and you are rooting for all of them for all you're worth. So when one dies you really feel it. Very good flick. Very good review again. Everyone needs to see this movie

[@petermetcalfe6722]

It's one of my favourite disaster movies and I've seen it several times. I particularly like the part at the beginning when Captain Leslie Neilson first notices the giant wave and says "Oh my god" which is very chilling and gives me goosebumps every time.

[@3dbadboy1]

The 30 ft. model used for the ship is in a maritime museum in San Pedro, CA if memory serves. I believe I saw it on the Queen Mary (I was very young at the time so my memory is very vague so it may have been a different model) when I toured the ship.

[@Animei9]

When this first came out, my mother became obsessed with it. We went to see it many times. To this day, I can still quote it. I wound up getting it on DVD and find that I enjoy it just as much now as then. I've seen the remake with Kurt Russell. It's ok. But this is one of those cases where you can't beat the original. I have read the book. I'm one of those "the book is always better" types. It's almost always true. This is one of those rare exceptions. Changes were made to the characters that altered them greatly, but for the better. I'm glad to see another person who appreciates this film. You've reminded me of why I've always loved it. I haven't watched it in a couple of years. I think it's time to pop it into the player again

[@freespirit5466]

Carol Lynley told me that when they filmed the air shaft scene, she couldn't bring herself to climb more than a few feet, so Red Buttons was actually on his knees behind her and Ernest Borgnine was laying on his back and had to sit up to create the illusion of being lower on the ladder

[@dinomate01]

Thank you for providing such a well detailed review of the original The Poseidon Adventure ! The way you approached & presented your review was such a joy to listen to ! Non judgmental, caring and supportive of the cast crew storyline etc ! Thank you once again for bringing a “human side” to a film review that I haven’t seen before !

[@troycleek3985]

I was a child when I saw this on TV with my parents. Very riveting then as it is now. Thanks for the review to remind me.

[@danielmkubacki]

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) will always be a classic. A good flick to watch on New Years Eve. Great cast story effects and acting. I love the music. I have seen it meany times. This is one of the favorite movies.

[@caomhan84]

"I'm never going on a cruise! No no no!" Viking River Cruises commercials on PBS Masterpiece: "Clearly our endless commercials over the years haven't swayed her. Play them more!" :)

Another excellent video. I love when you do reviews of classic 70s films. As always, you were very thorough and informative, and I learned some new things (and was reminded of some old things) regarding a film I saw long ago. Always look forward to your videos!

[@robertdelisi9473]

You care about each characters fate in this movie. That's hard to do.

[@jjdvideo]

An oldie but goodie. I am a sucker for all-star casts, I must admit.😁👍

[@thomasdelvin3542]

Strangely enough just within the last two years a ship actually turned upside down and the crew was rescued by a helicopter landing on the top and cut through the hull for the rescue !!

[@glennsmusic]

Great review. Yes, I've seen this a bunch of times, what a great movie, so many first class actors. You're right in that it's a character study of people responding to a life and death situation. A real edge of the seat movie where you're never really sure of the outcome right to the end. Ahhhrrrr..... they don't make them like that any more!

[@gogreen7794]

I was 17 (just before my senior year in high school) when the film came out and I had an outfit similar to Susan's. Mine, however, didn't have a long skirt, just a much more practical short skirt that partially wrapped around the "hot pant" jump suit. I wore that to school. The early 1970s were liberated! I wore hot pant "overalls" to my first day school at the start of my junior year, too. Great decade to grow up!

[@davidbourland8118]

Very good point about the music. I think you are right. I love this move and enjoyed your review.

[@bkynbiker]

Very impressive piece on this iconic film which I've probably seen 45 times (yes, I'm 'old' ..) including 15 or so on the big screen. I'll echo another comment that it was especially nice to see a younger person so succinctly nail what's so special about this movie, often dismissed by non-fans as cheesy and laughable. It's anything but. And considering myself as a somewhat obsessive 'expert' on all things P.A., I couldn't even spot any errors. The closest was Sheila Matthews identified as Allen's wife - if I'm not mistaken they met during the production and soon after married. And I could even be wrong, I haven't researched to confirm before writing this. I was in a hurry to give you 'two big thumbs up' as Siskel and Abert would have said for one of the most insightful looks at the film that I've ever watched. Kudos! Now on to your "Inferno' piece.

[@513Lindaddy]

Why am I just now discovering your channel? I love your encyclopedic reviews of vintage films!

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!!

[@CarlB_1962]

Great review. I really appreciate your detailed description of the various character dynamics which are what distinguish The Poseidon Adventure from so many other disaster movies, and what make it so rewatchable.

[@alexandermacdougall7873]

My favorite of this genre. A note about "The Swarm"....I saw it in the theater. There's a reason it tanked. It's awful. Lol. It's the only movie that I fell asleep in the theater watching.

[@heatwave]

Growing up back in the day, I was always disappointed that people were more interested in The Towering Inferno than The Poseidon Adventure. To me, there was no comparison. Poseidon was about survivors actually trying to escape. In Towering, they basically just waited for someone to rescue them.

[@EdwardElegant]

My, what a splendid - not to mention spirited - summary! I saw this film on the first break, in 1972 on a screen at least as tall as the 90-foot tidal wave (Downsized from the original 99-foot wave in the novel). A large part of the film's appeal for me was the aged, topheavy former ocean liner from the 'Golden Age" of trans-Atlantic travel making its final crossing of the Mediterranean Sea before being broken up for scrap on arrival in Athens. A modern streamlined sea-going condo simply dosen't evoke the same emotional response or strike the same chords as the old Cunarder, Queen Mary. And that score haunted me like a cold spot. I am delighted that your Mother saw this gem as it was intended, and that she seems to have passed her appreciation onto the next generation. It was easily the most memorable film of my early filmgoing life.

[@noone7138]

I haven't seen this movie since '72. My father took me to it at the ripe age of 8 and I haven't seen it since. I got spooked by the guy burnt to a crisp. I may have worked up the courage to see it again after all these years.

[@Weiselberry]

It's a very quick shot, but quite effective.

[@bahadortanzif8932]

Toaaastieeeeeeee 👣

[@hopeysmoke]

I remember the first time I watched this as a child on Christmas Eve with the whole family. Great film and great review!

[@Weiselberry]

Thanks!

[@MikeADee]

Great review of a classic movie. I like how you mix in the technical details with personal anecdotes it makes your video fun, interesting and informative. I first saw The Poseidon Adventure in 1984 on cable tv at the age of 11. I loved the movie although I don't know that I've seen it all the way through since then. I remember it was the first action, adventure movie that made me cry. Most of action movies of the 80s didn't have important characters die so this movie was a shock to my younger self. This is 1 of 3 films I watched in the summer of 84 that have had the most influence on me in a creative capacity ( the other 2 are Blade Runner & The Road Warrior). These movies and others continue to influence my writing to this day.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! I agree, there's one scene in particular where the characters' responses to a loss always make me emotional.

[@BT1DEATH]

Robin: Why don't you shove it? Susan: [angrily] Don't you ever say that to me again! Robin: Shove it! Shove it! Shove it!

[@trevorb6]

I always love your well articulated and spot on reviews, not to mention your obvious love for all things movie. I saw "The Poseidon Adventure" on the big screen when it first came out. I was nine years old. My Dad took me and my brother and sister to see it. I remember being thoroughly entertained by it until the penultimate minutes before the end. I freaked out screaming and crying forcing my Dad to escort me out of the theater and miss the ending himself. I'm keeping your precedent of "spoiler-free" prohibiting me from anymore explanation. It's embarrassing, but I could be a real wussy when I was a kid.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! Ha, that was a memorable experience for everyone in the theater, I'm sure! What a great story. :)

[@JCDiamond526]

I was 10 and my mother took me to see it when it was released. It emotionally affected me at the time and still does. Your review, as with the Airport series, is well researched and articulated. An uncanny ability to get right to the meaning of the work.

[@orinanime]

Another great video! I agree that this is one of John Williams' best and most underappreciated scores. My favorite John Williams score is also the 1979 Dracula. Another score of his that goes unappreciated is Munich.

[@orinanime]

Great stuff! 1 part history lesson, 1 part behind-the-scenes information, 1 part retrospective/review. Outstandingly informative. I've seen this version and the remake. But never the sequel or made-for-TV version.

[@fdsuperstar2547]

Happy memories of my grandmother taking me, an 11 year old kid to the movies to see this. I still enjoy this movie whenever I catch it on tv.

[@Truthseeker1515]

Great review, new subscriber. As an 80s teen, this was always on terrestrial TV on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the UK, back when we had 4 channels. I do not know how many times my parents hired this on VHS (so many 1970s disaster titles to choose from) as well.....a great disaster flick that stands up to this day. Not until 1997 and Dante's Peak did a movie match in quality The Poseidon Adventure in the genre.....

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! Ah, Dante's Peak: another favorite of my mom's that I've seen many times. :) Great music in that one too.

[@dennisjames6753]

Great choice for a film review. Been ages since I've seen this film. Disaster movies were huge in the '70s. This one is a classic! Great review. Liked the mention of John WIlliams' Dracula score. That's my favorite score of his, too.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

This and The Towering Inferno (1974) would be my fave disaster movies.

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Paul Gallico was on a ship in the 1930s where a similair incident kind of happened to the ship, hence giving Gallico an idea for a novel/film.

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

Such a fantastic film. You hit the nail on the head - amazing, amazing cast. Hackman and Borgnine are legends. Oddly enough, it's my mother's favorite movie too 🤣😂

[@davidbrubaker5146]

Thank you for the review and sharing all of your thoughts and opinions. Seeing the movie through your eyes and heart and mind is what makes your reviews special. Keep up the good work and looking forward to your future reviews.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!

[@TheToscanaMan]

J.W. Nice review... very nice. I think that you captured the essence of the movie and did a great analysis of the characters. (I've always thought that they chose just the right actor for each part.) I have seen the movie, but it's been a long while. You've made me want to see it again. It is a classic and was very well done. Thank you.

[@bobmessier5215]

Excellent review. Thank you for your insights and I think you said it all.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! I'm glad you found the discussion so thorough. :)

[@gregorywarnock5140]

the poseidon adventure is one of my favorite movies of all time so was the towrering inferno. i got to enjoy all of irwin allens tv shows and movies i got to see them all many happy memories. he was my favorite produce and creator

[@davidgreen2801]

Hey, I'm upside down, hanging onto the ceiling watching your hot review... awesome job!

[@justinplayfair4638]

Ah, this made my morning...this was *the* movie of my childhood. Saw it multiple times in theaters, as it kept getting reissued every six months or so. My family ended up staying at a hotel in the mid-70's that had a relatively new technology - Pay Per View movies. Guess what I watched! I love disaster movies, and certainly Towering Inferno and Earthquake were huge events that were exciting. But they both ring a little hollow when compared to Poseidon Adventure. None of the films that followed had the *heart* that Poseidon had, nor the strong undercurrent of religious and philosophical conflict. I enjoy Beyond the Poseidon adventure, a fun and forgettable follow-up (with another great cast). But I would love to have seen the original concept, with the original film's survivors traveling to an earthquake-wracked Greece to testify against the Poseidon's owners. This was a GREAT review of the film - your mom has terrific taste!

[@Weiselberry]

I'm glad you enjoyed the review! I think I have to agree that, much as I've always enjoyed The Towering Inferno, it's lacking that extra pull that The Poseidon Adventure has. The writing and the way the characters are realized is superior, and the more isolated narrative probably helps too. I wasn't familiar with that concept for a sequel, but it sounds like it could have been interesting, albeit quite different from the first film. Haha, yes, she does! :)

[@3dbadboy1]

I'm glad you noticed John Williams and his musical score. I discovered him when I was impressed with his Towering Inferno soundtrack. It's just my guess but I like to believe that he took a jolly seafaring musical theme (and I can't remember the name) and changed it into a forlorn, foreboding version. It just seemed to have an ocean feel to it. I agree that this was some of his best (along with Dracula as well).

[@brettrobinson2901]

I'd absolutely love to see a review of one of my absolute favorites, Murphy's War (1971) starring Peter O'Tool . A great war flick (In my opinion) about revenge and obsession . You're a pretty darn awesome reviewer by the way...fairly new to your channel. Extremely concise and informative....you make me yearn to watch older gems I hadn't considered or had forgotten. Please keep up your above standard work. The Poseidon Adventure had a TREMENDOUS cast.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!!

[@kthx1138]

Outstanding movie with clear, well-defined characters. I didn't like Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine constantly at each other's throats, but it made for good drama. The Towering Inferno is a notch above The Poseidon Adventure as far as I'm concerned, because the characters, most notably the fire chief Steve McQueen and the architect Paul Newman, work TOGETHER to survive the fire.

[@javiervarela1231]

I saw this movie in its release with my parents and instantly liked it with plenty of gripping tension, but also tender moments among the passengers. I was about 9 when The Poseidon Adventure premiered. Your review/commentary was spot on in assessing this great picture. I would've been a nervous wreck too in doing all the "survival-mode" activities the cast faced!

[@josedeluna2245]

Hello Jerome, I want to thank you for sharing Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. Just one of my favorites of all time!

[@charlesfaure1189]

My favorite movie reviewer.

[@kenernestnation]

Your a fantastic and thorough reviewer.

[@Weiselberry]

Aw, thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy my reviews!

[@kurtlarson6678]

Thank you for your insightful review. I did not know that John Williams did the music for this movie and for Dracula 79 as well. I appreciated your thoughts about Rev. Scott and his theology. This is one of the few big budget movie in which the main character’s arc is a theological arc, not just a personal or an emotional one. After hearing your review I am looking forward to rewatching it again.

[@courtneywheaton7046]

Great review of an epic film. This is a gem of a movie

[@wiiambarnarx8485]

Stella Steven's was my favorite character. She was such a perfect person to play Linda Rogo. When I first saw the movie in 1972, I was so hoping that she would survive but she didnt. But at least she was in the movie more or less from beginning to end. I dont think any other actress could have captured that character of "Linda". Good Job Stella Stevens.

[@Chase0420]

Great movie choice. One of my favorites.

[@davidarmstrong7549]

Fantastic review of one of the very best movies I've ever seen! Like yourself, I don't much fancy going anywhere on a ship! 😂

[@johndenver3002]

ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES !!!!

[@RSEFX]

Hmmm, well now i think you've really inspired me to look at this film again after all these decades (having seen it in the theater on its original release), with your detailed focus on every character and well-nuanced observations. I always thought the film pretty good, but I was terribly let down by a couple of things that I thought visually-dramatically missing for maximum impact: I did think (contrary to my usual opinion) there were some wider effects shots that feel very much missing. The coverage of the ship turning over ---- an incredibly dramatic and eerie moment---- was too scanty for me. I imagined there was going to be maybe 4-5 more detailed shots from different angles. Now, I am 95 percent sure these things were photographed but probably didn't quite work so were left on the cutting room floor: The model probably wasn't big enough to get proper water scale to make such shots work very believably. A model at least twice as big would've been needed, but, still, there were some angles I really thought possible even given the miniature they had. Effects budgets were NOTHING like the budgets today, and working with water is a monster headache. The MOST notable disappointment to me was waiting for and never seeing a big end shot---a shot from above of the overturned ship's keel/hull with the survivors clambering out into sunlight. I didn't think for one second that such a shot wouldn't be part of the film, since I felt sure this film's final moments would have to reveal the final disposition of the big ship. I was actually going "huh?" at the end when it didn't turn up. Anyway, decades later, a fellow POSEIDON ADVENTURE fan and I discussed this, and he agreed (he was someone who worked for me and had a major effects background. So, he looked into this and discovered that yes, such a shot was created, but he said it just looked terrible, and was not useable...so that was that. We toyed with the idea of creating that shot ourselves and inserting in into the end, but, alas, like many fun ideas...no time to do that. I did enjoy the film nonetheless, and found the sets really amazing, and spectacularly believable. Same the lighting. Performances were all very good with some exceptional actors (I've always been partial to Red Buttons and Borgnine, plus Hackman is always great. Bravo Winters, who always gave her all---even if it meant risking drowning! I've been on a couple ocean cruises (nearly got blown off the top deck once in the middle of the night in middle of the Pacific due to my own risk-taking!---that wouldn't have been fun, I don't think) , but that was quite a while ago. It was a great wonderful time, even tho interrupted by choppy sea-sicky seas on one day. Gulp. But today, I wouldn't go near a cruise ship as the running of these companies has slid in quality and care...and more. But thank you so much for this EXCELLENT review. You've pointed out many interesting and nuanced bits that has convinced me to look at this film again, especially with in a more character-driven eye. Man, you sure got to me on this film! Ok, my blabbing is finally ending.....uh...... NOW! ;-)

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

It's been quite a long time since I watched The Poseidon Adventure. I remember it being one of the few disaster movies of the era that wasn't cheesy. Irwin Allen was the king of TV cheese (ever watch The Time Tunnel?), and he was known for going to great lengths to save money in his TV productions, so it's interesting that he made a successful, high-budget movie that holds up over time. I think disaster movies owe something to John Ford's Stagecoach, which put a diverse group of strangers into a dangerous situation to let the audience see how they interacted. The only Paul Gallico book I've read is "The Silent Miaow: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats." In the intro he claims the book came from a poorly-typed manuscript that someone left on his doorstep, the "someone" being a cat who had written a guide on how to take over a household. Gallico was a real cat lover, which comes across beautifully in this fictional work of non-fiction. "When I was a young kotteb..." Thanks for the great review!

[@johnpjones182]

I think Allen's '57 film "The Story of Mankind" is kind of a precursor to "The Time Machine". History lessons with lots of stock footage from various movies.

[@thomasdelvin3542]

His budget was actually pretty low for the time period.films were running $15 to $30million in production budget was average

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Also, John Ford's earlier The Hurricane (1937).

[@JohannaLeigh]

I've seen The Posiden Adventure a few times. CLASSIC. Another point between real/fictional stories...in the Titanic story (NIGHT TO REMEMBER for me); the sea is as smooth as glass, whereas, in Poseiden, it's choppy, even before the wreck. As STAR characters go, while he didn't survive the tidal wave, Leslie Neilson was a treat to see in a straight role. Later on, he'd be featured in just about every faux disaster flic before making his mark as Leuitenant Frank Drebben in the NAKED GUN movies. You mentioned that John Williams wrote the score. I hear the score and there's a musical tossed salad of Williams scores....Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T, that I try to connect with Poseidon...Will have to hear the full score. Great review!

[@anthonybarber3872]

Classic line from Carol Lyndley.... "I can't swim."

[@sumo0172]

Excellent review and exploration of the movie. I struggle with the disaster movie genre. I enjoy them, particularly the well made ones. But they are painful to watch. If done well, it is so difficult for me to watch characters die off. The Poseidon Adventure is arguably the best of the genre but also makes it probably the hardest to watch for me. But I do really like the movie, it's simply too good to miss. You've presented a fine argument for giving this movie a viewing

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!

[@jaytrace1006]

I have loved this film since I was a kid. Seen it a Brazilian times. I had a mad crush on Stella Stevens. Oddly, I was going to go on a cruise with my new bride about three years ago until two hurricanes struck Puerto Rico and ruined all that. My wife decided that she didn’t want to be married and took off during that honeymoon week. It turned out my marriage was the disaster, but not life threatening, I suppose. Thank you for your attention to this fine film!

[@neilsmoviechannel3199]

Hi, I just recently found your channel after seeing some of your discussion with Daisuke. Have now watched a few of your “what else I saw” videos as well as this great review. Just an appreciation message to say you speak really well and informatively. And it’s also nice to see the range of older movies that interest you. The Poseidon Adventure was certainly a big favourite on tv when I was younger, watched it many times. Good to hear your thoughts. Well done on your channel

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you very much!

[@hermanmueller153]

My alltime Favorite disaster movie ....saw IT in the Cinema in 1973......

[@zantigar]

Another fantastic review! The way you rattled off the box office figures of disaster movies through the decades was highly illuminating about the rise and fall of popular tastes in genres - perhaps you have a calling as a studio head? I remember seeing this in a theater as a kid, and I don't think I've seen it since - but the characters and human drama made such a deep impression on me that Hackman's climactic line still sticks with me to this day. It's one of those movie moments you feel as if you'd been there. Thanks for bringing it all to life again! (sorry, I had to edit out that earlier spoiler - I forgot! Hope not too many readers who'll be seeing the movie read it.)

[@easterbunny3850]

If your ship captain is Leslie Nielsen, you just asking for catastrophe))

[@michaelmartin5623]

I remember seeing The Poseidon Adventure as a teen at the Senator theater near by. One of the last art deco movie theaters left in the US. And thankfully it is still going. Between Poseidon Adventure, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Jaws it's no wonder I have an adversion for deep water. But despite the psychological damage done by this and the other two movies I still love them! Call me twisted... In light of recent events regarding cruise ships, I also feel the same way you do about taking a cruise. Though I still hold out on doing that Alaskan cruise one day. Just to see the glaciers while they are still around. It might be a risk worth taking.

[@Weiselberry]

Oh, I know! Creature from the Black Lagoon kept me awake all night when I was little, and yet it's turned out to be one of my favorite monster movies! And there are a couple scenes in Jaws that gave me the willies, but it's another one I always want to stop on if it's playing on tv! Funny how that happens. :)

[@michaelmartin5623]

Yeah, it's funny how things that scare the bejeezus out of you end up turning into fond memories. I still get the chills when watching the scene from 'Aliens' when the Marines descend into the xenomorph lair, but I still think it's one of the best (and my favorite) action/sci fi films ever made.

[@sammcbride2149]

For a fun mashup of two seventies classics watch the trailer of The Poseidon Adventure (muted) while listening to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees. Very fun movie. Thanks for another great video.

[@billlatham9895]

The novel is totally worth reading...one of the film survivors has a different outcome. Gallico wrote a sequel that is a sequel to the film as opposed to his novel...the terrible film "Beyond the Poseiden Adventure" shares only its title...Gallico's sequel isn't anything special but if you love these characters...try it out...Rogo, Rosen, and Martin actually go back on the ship! Nice review of the film!

[@Weiselberry]

You've got me intrigued!

[@billlatham9895]

@@Weiselberry 6 bucks on Amazon in paperback for the sequel I remember being so excited to find it. Walk in with low expectations. But try the original novel first. Gallico was a good writer. Totally agree on Williams' score...one of my favorites of his...

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Those three guys go back to the ship!!!!!??????? Did these guys stop off at the liquor store?????!!!

[@rory_pond1701]

The novel is an interesting read, but much darker than the film. I applaud the changes that Stirling Silliphant and Wendell Mayes made for the movie, as there are many more unlikable characters in the book. Gallico's sequel novel picks up where the first movie left off, and it's a rollicking good read. Rogo's real purpose for being aboard the Poseidon is revealed, and that's what compels him to return. Manny and Martin are also provided with solid reasons for going back. It's a shame that the sequel movie is so dreadful, I would have loved a faithful adaptation of the book.

[@richardkilroy3010]

Wonderful review. Full of detailed insight, she gets this movie so well. And I agree with her assessment of the score - it's brilliant and nearly unknown. And I also agree that John Willaims's other underrated but brilliant score is, 'Dracula'.

[@postscript67]

During the Second World War, when the Queen Mary was serving as a troop ship, she was struck broadside-on by a freak wave in mid Atlantic. It was calculated afterwards that if she had gone over four degrees more she would have capsized. I believe this was the inspiration for the Poseidon Adventure. Incidentally, the Queen Mary was noted for rolling before she was fitted with anti-roll stabilisers. Elsewhere on KZbin there is some lovely colour home movie footage ("RMS Queen Mary return from Europe 1952") taken on the after deck with the horizon appearing and disappearing up-and-down, up-and-down, as passengers enjoying the sunshine walked across deck holding onto ropes tied there to support them.

[@chrisrose6014]

Awesome review and i must tell you that your voice is easy to listen to

[@Weiselberry]

Aw, thanks!

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Excellent review of an excellent movie! So much information and detail about a movie that is special to a lot of people. "The Poseidon Adventure touches people on a deep level and I suspect that the people making the movie didn't know how much of an effect it would have. I saw "The Poseidon Adventure" on Christmas Day of 1972, just 15 days after it was released. I was 11 years old and obsessed with it and became an ocean liner enthusiast. I now have shelves of books about ocean liners, but have never been on a cruise or a transatlantic crossing! I've said for years --- and will say it here! --- that I believe much of the plot of "The Poseidon Adventure" is based on the 1966 Heraklion disaster. The similarities between fact and fiction are too many to be coincidence. Since this video was first made, have you had an opportunity to read "The Poseidon Adventure"? Book and movie have huge differences. For example two of the main characters are Susan and Robin's parents who aren't in the movie at all. In a way there are two Poseidon stories: novel and movie. I used to say that Linda in the novel is one of the most tragic figures in American literature, but I was thinking of how Paul Gallico had an Italian father, a Swedish father and lived much of his life outside of the United State. Someone said on Facebook that the novel is, as I recall, a darker and more British story. "The Poseidon Adventure" lends itself to a lot of interesting discussion!

[@kenernestnation]

You should read the novel. You’ll be surprised just how dark it is. People really do despise the book though. Mostly women, from what I’ve read. What I’ve observed is that they try to attach modern social norms to a novel that was published in 1969, and took the author god knows how long to compile. What women hate the absolute most is the last page. Can’t fault them, it’s sort of stretches belief of what this particular person would feel after experiencing the trauma she does, which she never reveals to her parents. There are many more characters, some of which they must abandon or risk the lives of all. And one pivotal young character does not make it out, as they do in the film. Oh, there’s a twist ending here that Hollywood would surely have gone for, if the film had been made now.

[@curbowman]

I saw this movie as a child when it was aired on TV. It became my standard against all disaster movies had to compete.

[@jiinx1048]

Great review!

[@kirksworks]

Another substantive review. It’s been years since I’ve seen this film, but I remember being really impressed. What I recall most though was how exciting it was, so hearing your in depth (ha!) description of the character relationships makes me want to see it again and view it with new eyes. Oh, and even though I haven’t seen the film in a long time, I own the score and have listened to it many times over the years. I do think it’s one of Williams’ best.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! Ha, it's difficult to avoid making accidental puns when talking about this one. :) I expect it's a score I'll be revisiting from time to time...

[@cessnaace]

I saw the film when it came out and read the novel about 15 years later. I also saw "The Towering Inferno" and "Earthquake" when they were released to theaters. CAST AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Eric Shea did a lot of TV work as a child actor. For example in the mid 70s he worked for Jack Web a number of times, acting in 2 episodes of "Adam-12" and 3 episodes of its spin-off "Emergency." He played a different character each time. They tended to be characters that were smarter than many of the adults. Carol Lynley "Under the Yum Yum Tree" (1963) Also stars Jack Lemmon (Some Like It Hot; How to Murder Your Wife; The Odd Couple), Dean Jones (numerous Disney films of he 60s and 70s), and Paul Lynde (Uncle Arthur on Bewitched). Ernest Borgnine "Marty" (1955). "The Flight of the Phoenix" (1965) Red Buttons "Hatari" (1962) Howard Hawks film with John Wayne and Hardy Kruger. Kruger would later have an important role in "The Flight of the Phoenix." FUN FACT: John Williams wrote the music for "Gilligan's Island," plus the themes for "Lost in Space" (both of them), "The Time Tunnel," and "The Land of the Giants."

[@13down13]

Thanks for this review. Now i want to see it. I saw it back in the 70s on grainy color 19-inch TV, probably on the Sunday Night Movie of the Week. But I don't think I've seen it since then. You have certainly made it sound appealing and it is probably something that I will still enjoy. You gave me a little food-for-thought when you talked about disaster movies being around for awhile. You could consider some Godzilla movies disaster movies. Certainly the first one (1954). I know this is not the traditional way of thinking about monster movies. Some are just animal-on-the-loose type movies. But Godzilla works well, for me, when he, or his foes, are presented in this way.

[@195511SM]

LOVED IT WHEN IT WAS FRST RELEASED.. I WAS 16 0R 17 I THINK. BUT TO THIS DAY, WHENEVER I SEE LESLEY NIELSON I MUST TREMIND MYSELF THAT IT''S NOT A NAKED GUN MOVIE OR AIRPLANE, BUT A SERIOUS ROLE IN THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE THAT HE'PLAYING.

[@gogreen7794]

I'm the opposite. I not only saw him in this movie, but in "Forbidden Planet" and in a Columbo episode or two and came to look forward to seeing him in other films. Turned out, I didn't care for him in the comedies. Actually, I didn't care FOR those comedies.

[@ClassicswithCourtney]

Here's another one of my favorite 70s movies! I didn't like the remake with Kurt Russell 😕

[@nathanhudson-young2460]

The ship swaying side to side is quite realistic to the real Queen Mary. You and me are definitely in the same boat for when it comes to the music score. ( pun highly intended ) Edit: That purser should've known that the water tight compartments are not going to do anyone any good on a capsized ship.

[@CharlesHess]

I saw The Poseidon Adventure on the date the story was supposed to occur. Same with Jaws.

[@Weiselberry]

Nice. I've thought before that it would be cool to watch it on New Year's Eve, pressing play around 11:40pm so that midnight syncs up. I've never done it, though.

[@albizu]

Why is your channel not bigger. What a review!

[@Weiselberry]

Thanks!

[@PonyboyGarfunkel]

Paul Gallico wrote the much loved short story, "The Snow Goose." It's about a hunchbacked artist lighthouse keeper, a goose, and the stranded WWII British soldiers at Dunkirk. I love this story and I sometimes insist a person read it. That is the sort of kook I am, but I sometimes have strong feelings connected to a piece of art, making me a chronic bore. So it goes.

[@Weiselberry]

Oh, I loved The Snow Goose! Here's a video where I talked about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGLFnn2Vj5uHaLs And here's a follow-up where I talked about an orchestral version of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZCkh6KYj859aZY

[@PonyboyGarfunkel]

@@Weiselberry Two things: 1) There is an excellent book version with illustrations by Beth Peck, which I own. I feel confident you will enjoy her additions. You can see them at "Beth Peck Illustrations " under the Children's Book Illustrations tab. 2) I am old, and my initial exposure was the film version, shown to me back in the late sixties or early seventies in school. I always remembered it, and it eventually lead me to the short story. You can watch it on KZbin. It is good, though imperfect. The copy is rickety and old, really poor quality. I recently bought a DVD, and it is the same rotten copy, but things like that don't bother me. Just a forewarning. I enjoyed listening to the symphonic version, which I was unaware of. There is a "Snow Goose" instrumental album by a rock band named Camel. I have listened, but the source connection seems limited, and I like this orchestral version much better.

[@PonyboyGarfunkel]

@@Weiselberry I wrote a fantastic comment, which has sadly disappeared. Summary: 1) Check out the Beth Peck illustrated version of the novella. 2). There is a rickety film version available on the KZbin.

[@13down13]

Well, I finally saw it and thanks again for recommending it. It was great. I didn't really remember any of it, it's been so long. It did an excellent job of balancing the action and suspense with the character development. I think it makes me want to see the Towering Inferno now. Another one I saw a long time ago, but not since. Have you seen that one? A review of that one would be a good follow-up to this. A new series, perhaps? Disaster movies.

[@brentnz7605]

Saw this when I was 11 in New Zealand. Your 's is by far the best review for someone your age ( & probably generation ) of TPA. Way more detail & thought , TPA is the best of the Disaster genre no contest , probably a distant second is A Night To Remember off memory.

[@brentnz7605]

Sorry , I was 11 when it came out in '72

[@Navigator87110]

Sea disasters, eh? Now review "A Night To Remember"! Accounts were taken from the survivors of the Titanic... but I'll bet you knew that already. I actually went through a phase where I was watching sea disaster movies ... I only recently saw "The Poseidon Adventure," and I liked that so well I watched all the Poseidon-related movies you mentioned here. And the derivatives are all 100% forgettable. I've also read a lot of maritime history ... and boy are there a lot of harrowing stories! I concur with you 100% about staying off the ocean! It's like the sea is a conscious entity out to get humans. Lots of fodder for future videos, though. (Unrelated, but you finally convinced me to read "Jane Eyre." I had to put a hold on it at our local library because all four(!) copies in our system were checked out. )

[@Weiselberry]

A Night to Remember has the unique distinction, I think, of being every bit as good as its excellent source material, the book by Walter Lord. I loved it when I read it as a summer reading assignment in seventh grade. The first of several maritime disaster books (both fiction and non-fiction) that I've enjoyed since... Hey, that's great! I hope you find it worth your while. :)