Search - The Poseidon Adventure on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Suitable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1972 DVD Release: 03/09/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 57 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Total Copies: 13 Genres: Action, Adventure, Disaster Film, Sea Adventure, Ensemble Film See Also: The Poseidon Adventure [Special Edition]

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

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

Fox's DVD edition of The Poseidon Adventure is a mixed blessing for the film's fans because it delivers outstanding picture quality and little else. The best element of the disc is its THX-approved visual remastering it gives the film. The visual quality far outstrips any previous video editions of its film thanks to its stunning clarity and richly saturated colors. Simply put, this transfer makes the film look better than it ever has on home video. The DVD also boasts nice interactive menus that use animated rippling effects and sonar sounds. Sadly, the disc offers no anamorphic enhancement for viewers with widescreen televisions. The sound on this DVD is also disappointing; the mono mix is acceptable but can't deliver the sonic frills a disaster epic like The Poseidon Adventure requires. In terms of extras, this disc only offers a theatrical trailer and a set of cast bios with surprisingly in-depth filmographies for each actor. In the end, Fox's DVD of The Poseidon Adventure is disappointing because of its lack of features, but remains the best way to take in this film's impressive visual scope until a proper special edition disc is made. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide