The Poseidon Adventure Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cruise ship has a really bad New Year’s party when it decides to become a submarine.

🍿 The Poseidon Adventure: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fateful Voyage

The SS Poseidon, an aging luxury liner, is on its final voyage from New York to Athens before being decommissioned. Pressured by the new owners to save time and money, Captain Harrison is ordered to proceed at full speed, ignoring safety concerns about the ship’s ballast and the potential for rough seas. This decision sets the stage for disaster.

New Year’s Eve Disaster

As passengers celebrate New Year’s Eve, an undersea earthquake triggers a massive rogue wave. Despite Captain Harrison’s mayday call, the wave strikes the Poseidon, capsizing the ship and leaving the survivors in a chaotic, upside-down world. Many are killed or injured instantly, plunging the remaining passengers into a desperate fight for survival.

The Fight for Survival Begins

Reverend Frank Scott, a dissenting priest questioning his faith, takes charge, believing the best chance for survival lies in heading ‘upward’ towards the hull in the engine room. He assembles a small group of survivors, including a detective and his wife, an elderly couple, a young brother and sister, a haberdasher, and a lounge singer. Together, they begin a treacherous journey through the overturned ship, facing fires, explosions, and rising water.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman): A rebellious priest questioning his faith who leads a group of survivors through the capsized ship.
• Rogo (Ernest Borgnine): A tough, skeptical NYPD detective on his honeymoon, who clashes with Reverend Scott.
• Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters): A kind, overweight, former swimmer traveling to Israel, who sacrifices herself to save others.
• Linda Rogo (Stella Stevens): A former prostitute and the wife of Rogo, trying to leave her past behind while on their honeymoon.
• Martin (Red Buttons): A shy, health-conscious bachelor who finds courage amidst the disaster.
• Nonnie (Carol Lynley): A lounge singer who lost her brother in the capsizing.
• Susan (Pamela Sue Martin): A teenager traveling with her younger brother, who develops a crush on Reverend Scott.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Reverend Scott: ““God helps those who help themselves.”” – Reverend Scott’s philosophy of taking action rather than passively waiting for divine intervention, reflecting his rebellious approach to faith.
• Reverend Scott: ““What more do you want of us?”” – Spoken by Reverend Scott in a moment of anguish and defiance towards God, as he confronts the seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
• Belle Rosen: ““I’m a champion swimmer!”” – Belle proudly states this just before heroically diving into the water to save Reverend Scott, showcasing her bravery.
• Mike Rogo: ““Get outta here you son-of-a-bitch!”” – Rogo yells this at the ship after his wife dies, a raw expression of his grief and anger at their situation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $84,563,118
• Worldwide Gross: $84,563,118

💥 The Poseidon Adventure Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being absolutely terrified, but also glued to the screen. The scene where the ship flips is still so visceral. Shelley Winter’s performance was unforgettable. I found myself rooting for them. The practical effects hold up surprisingly well. I would recommend this to anyone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic disaster movies.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate ensemble casts and suspenseful plots.”
  • “Those interested in films with themes of survival and faith.”
  • “People who like practical effects over CGI.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense disaster sequences and peril.”
  • “Graphic depictions of death and injury.”
  • “Some language and thematic elements may not be suitable for younger viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “Gene Hackman’s performance elevates the film, lending credibility to a genre that often relies on spectacle. He embodies a rebellious priest whose faith is tested, giving a nuanced performance that resonates.
• Bam Smack Pow: “Similar to how he brings a sense of authority and intelligence to his portrayal of Lex Luthor, Hackman delivers a strong sense of conviction, making it impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects and set design were incredible for its time.: Most viewers were impressed by the special effects.

The ensemble cast delivered memorable performances.: Viewers appreciate the complex characters and their emotional journeys.

Overall Consensus: A classic disaster movie, ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ boasts impressive practical effects and a strong ensemble cast.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Visual Effects)- 1973
2. Academy Award (Best Original Song (“The Morning After”))- 1973
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song (“The Morning After”))- 1973

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Shelley Winters gained weight for her role as Belle Rosen to add authenticity to her portrayal of an elderly woman, even though she was only 51 at the time of filming.”
• “The interiors of the ship were partially filmed on the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, adding to the film’s realism.”
• “The film’s success helped to solidify the disaster genre in the 1970s, paving the way for other big-budget disaster movies.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Poseidon Adventure?

The Poseidon Adventure is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. You can also find it for sale on physical media like Blu-ray and DVD through retailers such as Amazon and major department stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Poseidon Adventure, you might like these similar films:

• The Towering Inferno (1974): Another classic disaster film from Irwin Allen featuring an ensemble cast facing a deadly structural fire.
• Titanic (1997): A modern disaster epic focusing on a sinking ship and the interwoven stories of its passengers.
• The Perfect Storm (2000): Features a group of people facing insurmountable odds against a natural disaster at sea.
• Deepwater Horizon (2016): Based on the true story of a devastating man-made disaster on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

🛒 The Poseidon Adventure Related Products

• The Poseidon Adventure (Blu-ray): High-definition release of the classic film, including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and a look at the making of the movie. Experience the film like never before with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• The Making of ‘The Poseidon Adventure’: A comprehensive documentary detailing the production of the film, featuring interviews with the cast and crew, insights into the special effects, and the challenges of filming on a tilted set.
• Poseidon Adventure Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Showcases the iconic imagery of the capsized ship. Perfect for decorating a home theater or office.
• The Poseidon Adventure Novel by Paul Gallico: The original novel that inspired the movie. A classic tale of survival, courage, and the will to live. Read the story that started it all.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Poseidon Adventure features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Morning After” – performed by Maureen McGovern
• “The Song from The Poseidon Adventure” – performed by Renée Armand

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Sinking of the SS Poseidon | A Short “Documentary” | Fascinating Horror

Ever wondered about the real story *behind* the Poseidon Adventure? This short documentary dives into the fictional sinking with some surprisingly fascinating details, and honestly, it’s a great watch even if it’s all make-believe!

The Simpsons & Family Guy vs. The Poseidon Adventure (Parody Comparison)

Bet you didn’t know The Simpsons and Family Guy *both* spoofed The Poseidon Adventure! This video breaks down the parodies and it’s pretty hilarious seeing how they reimagined the disaster. Who did it better?!

The Poseidon Adventure (1972 Film) 🌎 Then and Now 2019

Curious what the cast of The Poseidon Adventure looks like today? This ‘Then and Now’ video is a trip, and it’s wild to see how much (or how little!) they’ve changed. Definitely worth a peek!

“The Morning After” Wins Original Song: 1973 Oscars

Remember that iconic song from The Poseidon Adventure, ‘The Morning After’? Check out Cher and Sonny Bono presenting the Oscar for it back in 1973! It’s a cool piece of movie history, and the song’s still a classic!

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