The Poseidon Adventure is a 1972 American disaster film directed by Ronald Neame, produced by Irwin Allen, and based on Paul Gallico’s 1969 novel of the same name. The film features an all-star cast, including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, and Rod Taylor.
The film follows the passengers and crew of a luxury cruise ship, the SS Poseidon, as it is struck by a massive tsunami on New Year’s Eve and capsized. The survivors must find their way through the overturned wreckage to reach the bottom of the ship, where a small pool of air remains.
The Poseidon Adventure was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $80 million worldwide. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Winters and Best Original Score for John Williams. The film spawned a sequel, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979), and a television remake in 2005.
The film is considered a classic of the disaster genre and is praised for its suspenseful action sequences and its strong performances from the cast. However, it has also been criticized for its melodramatic plot and its stereotypical characters.