Directed By: Ronald Neame
Written By: Stirling Silliphant And Wendell Mayes
Based on the novel By: Paul Gallico
Cinematography: Howard E. Stine
Editor: Harold F. Press
Cast: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelly Winters, Stella Stevens, Red Buttons, Jack Albertson, Pamela Sue Martin, Carole Lynley, Roddy McDowall, Leslie Nielsen
A passenger ship, on her way to the scrap yard is pushed to her limits by the new owners to save on the dismantling fees. A tidal wave hits her, flipping her over so that all the internal rooms are upside down. A priest takes a mixed band of survivors on a journey through the bowels of the ship in an attempt to survive.
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I will admit at this point I have seen a bunch of disaster, movies, and no most of the clichés so much so that generally don’t really watch any of the new ones as you can see the towels or the or where it’s going to go which characters are necessarily doomed, and those special heartfelt moments that are going to come along.
So watching this film with modern eyes, you can see how it sets the blueprint and thus it’s a little more predictable than it might’ve been when it first premiered at the time the one of the film strengths is that it’s still not only manages to surprise you, but it also keeps you invested in the story and characters, and you feel the thrills the chills, and have to be worried for the characters
The film still manages to provide you the suspense, the thrills and chills, and the emotional moments. When certain characters that you enjoyed your light, don’t necessarily make it we’re sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
No, of course there’s a lot to lampoon here or make fun of or look down upon but at the time you have to remember that this was somewhat new, and having all these actors together was kind of a breakthrough or novel idea at the time
It’s also of note that while Irwin Allen produced this film and was usually behind most of these disaster movies, at the time, he actually didn’t direct it, which might be why this one is more well remembered, whereas the sequel which he directed and clearly wasn’t needed, is one is not thought of as good or well as the first film.
The only thing that isn’t believable truly in this film is the supposed romance between Carol Lynley, and red buttons character I believe that they form a bond and trying to survive, but I would never believe that they would become a couple or fall in love due to all of this but again this film is a little bit of fantasy so you never know
Shelley Winters is memorable out of all the cast members though one can see why she got the best supporting actress nomination. It wasn’t that strong that it deserves an award, but it makes her one of the more well remember characters in the film, as well as Jack Albertson as her husband and this is one of the few times that I have seen him outside of a Willy Wonka film or his 1970 sitcom Chico and the Man.
No, the heavy hitters of the film, Ernest Borgnine, who’s memorable as a strong character who has his emotional moments, but also Gene Hackman as the de facto leader of the film, which truthfully is one of the few reasons why I decided to watch this film, and he gives an amazing performance in for a roll with she admitted later was truly a money job as a reverend, who is conflicted, and is trying to save everyone
This is one of the films of the 1970s that was made by studio that while formulaic is truly worth watching even if it’s just as a relic of history because it is truly a popcorn film that keeps you interested throughout and makes you care even if you feel like you know what’s going to happen.
No, a big shock that the song the morning after which ended up winning best song at the Oscars from this film seems like it’s used more flippantly and more comedically are trying to make fun of the ballads or the singing.
As well as even though today, this would be a big budget remake which they attempted and unfortunately bombed even watching it. Now you can tell that a lot of money went into the fax but looking at the ship and it’s Corredor’s in rooms. It just seems a little on the cheap side as far as production design goes, but then again it was another decade in the 1970s so maybe that was the D Reagor or what was normal back then it’s a nitpick more than anything.
No can admit that some of the deaths are a little more random, and not expected as they seem like they were just knocked out, because Hays is coming upon a time limit we’ve got a knock off another character, rather than buy any sense, a physics or logic, and obviously, to also give other characters the world to live a reason to live, or their mental break down, where they have to come back from dealing with that death, but strive to survive, if only for the memory of them, and the fact that they would want them to live and not Perish just as they did
Grade: B
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