Poseidon Adventure [Special Edition] [2 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

The Poseidon, an ocean liner larger than the Queens Elizabeth and Mary combined, is charting its course on New Year's Eve. Just after midnight, Captain Harrison (Leslie Nielsen) spots the mother of all tidal waves. It is the last thing that Harrison and practically everyone else onboard sees before drowning -- the Poseidon is turned upside down, with only a handful of survivors. The ten lucky ones -- including Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine), Linda Rogo (Stella Stevens), Acres (Roddy McDowall), Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters), and Manny Rosen (Jack Albertson) -- led by no-nonsense minister Frank Scott (Gene Hackman), desperately attempt to climb from the top of the ship (now submerged) to the bottom (now "the top"). The film's theme song, "The Morning After," sung by Maureen McGovern, earned an Oscar. In addition, The Poseidon Adventure received the Special Achievement Award for Special Effects; L.B. Abbott and A.D. Flowers were the recipients. A sequel, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, came out in 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 2
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Color, Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: Spanish, English
• Features:
  • cc All-new audio commentary by director Ronald Neame
  • All-new full-length audio commentary by stars Pamela Sue Martin, Stella Stevens, and Carol Lynley
  • Interactive "Follow the Escape" feature: Access 3-D views and schematics of the ship as you watch the film
  • Nine all-new featurettes: "The Cast Looks Back," "Falling Up With Ernie," "The Heart of Disaster: Stirling Silliphant," "The Heroes of the Poseidon," "The Morning After Story," "The R.M.S. Queen Mary," "Sinking Corridor," "Generations of Fans," and "Turning Over the Ship"
  • AMC Backstory: The Poseidon Adventure
  • Storyboard-to-film comparisons
  • Interactive article from American Cinematographer
  • Still photo galleries (marketing, publicity, behind-the-scenes)
  • Original teaser, trailer, and more

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Won Best Song - 1972 (Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn)
•     Won Special Achievement - 1972 (L.B. Abbott)
•     Nominated Best Art Direction - 1972 (Raphael Bretton, William J. Creber)
•     Nominated Best Cinematography - 1972 (Harold E. Stine)
•     Nominated Best Costume Design - 1972 (Paul Zastupnevich)
•     Nominated Best Editing - 1972 (Harold Kress)
•     Nominated Best Original Dramatic Score - 1972 (John Williams)
•     Nominated Best Sound - 1972 (Herman Lewis, Theodore Soderberg)
•     Nominated Best Supporting Actress - 1972 (Shelley Winters)
•     Nominated Special Achievement - 1972 (A.D. Flowers)

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Won Best Actor - 1972 (Gene Hackman)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Won Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic - 1972 (Shelley Winters)
•     Nominated Best Original Score - 1972 (John Williams)
•     Nominated Best Original Song - 1972 (Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn)
•     Nominated Best Picture - Drama - 1972

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Gene Hackman - Rev. Frank Scott
       Ernest Borgnine - Mike Rogo
       Red Buttons - James Martin
       Carol Lynley - Nonnie Parry
       Roddy McDowall - Acres

• Director:

  Ronald Neame

• Producer:

  Irwin Allen

• Book Author:

  Paul Gallico

• Screenwriter:

  Wendell Mayes, Stirling Silliphant

• Cinematographer:

  Harold E. Stine

• Composer (Music Score):

  John Williams

• Songwriter:

  Joel Hirschhorn, Al Kasha, Carol Lynley

• Editor:

  Harold Kress

• Production Designer:

  William J. Creber

REVIEW:

• The Poseidon Adventure was one of the first and best specimens of the disaster movie genre of the 1970s. The hallmarks of the genre are in full form: huge sets, a big budget, a star-studded ensemble cast, and a silly premise. Gene Hackman injects a renegade zeal into his role as the savior preacher; ironically, Hackman's other films during this era (The French Connection, Prime Cut) tended toward the violent and progressive. The action sequences involving the upside-down luxury liner are well-made, though, for many viewers, the primitive special effects make Poseidon a campy curiosity. Produced by Irwin Allen, the film was better received by audiences and critics than the original disaster flick, 1971's Airport. The Poseidon Adventure was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning for Best Song ("The Morning After") and an honorary award for visual effects. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide

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