The Poseidon Adventure (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Special Edition; Widescreen)

About every ten years or so, a film comes along that changes the direction of Hollywood for years to come.
While every era has its 'Godfathers', 'Schindler's Lists' and 'Million Dollar Babys' (all TRULY among the greatest films of all time, yet hardly "original" in concept)...it is rare when a 'Night of the Living Dead', a 'Star Wars', a 'Blazing Saddles' or a 'Jaws' comes along. A film that sets the stage for all the copycats to follow, "makes cool" again a long-dormant genre, or is simply so uniquely enjoyable that it garners such a cult following that it remains as popular 10, 20, even 30 years after its theatrical run.
'The Poseidon Adventure' remains, and likely forever will remain the 'IT' film of the Disaster Genre of the 70s, and even its incarnation in the 1990s. Poseidon made it FUN to go to the movies again. Made at a time when 20th Century Fox was on the verge of bankruptcy, and when "old school" extravaganzas had gone the way of the dinosaur, it was a huge financial and professional risk for all involved. Studios were rushing to make more earthy and gritty character studies, and had no interest in getting involved in an expensive, all-star "popcorn movie" when Irwin Allen took the risk that would make him a legend.
With its almost amateurishly-written first 20 minutes, it is obvious from the onset that the MAIN attraction for this film would NOT be its "indepth characterizations" and high-bar thespian work. But the viewer soon gets wrapped up in the story and forgets the acting shortcomings as the tension mounts to one of the most memorable and spectacularly staged climaxes in film history. For as soon as Capt. Leslie Nielsen says "Oh My God" when the wall of water rushes towards the whip, the roller-coaster ride begins. From the steadily increasing tilt up to the "signature shot" of Ernie Orsatti falling from a table into a skylight, audiences were now riveted to the screen, feasting on scenes of rapid-fire disaster, and suddenly begin to get as wrapped up in the "escape chase" as the characters in the film do.
Now you toss in the stars, introduced during the hokey opening, and alomst magically...you forget that not one of them could have acted their way out of a wet paper bag in the 1st 20 minutes, and are now PULLING for them! Walking the destroyed corridors with them, asking yourself "what YOU would do in this situation", and even start taking bets on "who will live and who will die?" All the while, the water keeps rising, nipping at your heels...one dead end leads to another...some in the cast begin to die...tension mounts among the survivors...and you are simply engrossed.
Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, Carol Lynley, Red Buttons, Pamela Sue Martin, Roddy McDowall are now become your buddies in the fight for survival, and you can't look away until you know their fates.
MANY followed...The 'Airport'sequels, 'RollerCoaster', 'Earthquake', 'Towering Inferno', 'The Swarm','The Hindenburg', 'Dante's Peak', 'Armageddon', a remake, 'Independence Day', etc...some were hugely successful in their own right, others were bombs. But not one of them holds the lasting popularity that 'The Poseidon Adventure' does, and none of them has the sheer power of this "cardboard character matinee fluff." As basic a premise as turning a ship over is...Poseidon set the stage for all to follow.
And even after 35 years...Poseidon is STILL one helluva ride!!

I bought it for a friend. Although used, the quality was excellent. It was all that I had hoped for. Thank you.

A Great Movie Thanks Irwin Allen 2 Disc Set Many New Featurettes AMC BackStory And Collectible Lobby Cards

You got to love it when they release an old classic and reformat and clean it up right.
The video is not enhanced, but looks as if you're at the old theater, watching an old 70's movie. The anamorphic widescreen is a vast improvement over the old 'widescreen in a 3:4 aspect' version I have already.
The sound is mono, as it was recorded, and has no hiss, static or pops, and stays perfectly in time.
The extras on the second cd are MUST-HAVES for fans of the movie. One I've never even seen before.
Nice boxing and the addition of the lobby cards adds little, but it does add.
The movie poster box and case covers are totally cool!
These movies and such things are about the only reasons for the existence of FOX, and the only reason for me to say, "Thanks FOX."

The original Poseidon Adventure is a movie that will continue to entertain future generations. With great performances from Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine, well, it just doesn't get any better. It truly is a timeless classic.

A very exciting adventure. Great special affects, for it's time! An all-star cast. Great to add to your action/adventure collection. Buy it.