This is too interesting. Needs its own thread.
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Poseidon Adventure
ABBAcat — 9 years ago(January 29, 2017 02:28 AM)
This is too interesting. Needs its own thread.
Quoting EtherDave from the Nonnie thread:
The film is often interpreted as christian allegory, with the survivors' trek to the underside of the hull compared to a pilgrim's progress, either to religious salvation or literally to heaven (note the blinding light of the sky that streams into the hull near the film's end). The survivors are interpreted as christian stereotypes (the Good Wife, the Faithful Servant, the Errant Knight, etc.) each representing different aspects of christian faith. Images of drowning, water, fire, and burning are reminiscent of Dante and other christian-based literature. The survivors are briefly tempted to follow the Bow People to seek salvation in the opposite direction they are headed, suggesting diabolical obstruction. However, since the original author, Paul Gallico, has never said anything explicitly about this, and the filmmakers haven't said anything either, this remains simply an engaging theory for discussion. -
Woodyanders — 8 years ago(November 25, 2017 01:15 PM)
Yeah, the Christian allegory aspect adds an extra provocative element to this film. Rogo in particular was clearly patterned after Doubting Thomas while Reverend Scott is obviously a Christ-like savior.
You've seen Guy Standeven in something because the man was in everything. -
Eric-62-2 — 3 years ago(May 12, 2022 07:15 AM)
The Christian allegory is clearly unique to the film because the book is a giant exercise in religion bashing (specifically all variants of western Christian belief) from start to finish. In the book Scott is basically a fraud who has led them all astray. For Silliphat to take it the other direction is what makes the film a classic while re-reading the book today it comes off as a giant torture-fest of dislikable characters from start to finish.
Even Scott's anger at God before his sacrifice doesn't come off as blasphemous if you think more deeply. It's more akin to Christ's declaration of "My God, why have You forsaken me?" on the Cross before the final redemptive act of death. -
ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(May 12, 2022 10:47 PM)
I have the book somewhere but haven't read.
The film offered an excellent array of characters and the conflict of personality was exceptional. That is why the film worked so well as it did. I regard it as the best of the disaster flicks I have seen.
Norman! What did you put in my tea? -
Eric-62-2 — 3 years ago(May 13, 2022 06:04 AM)
If you enjoy the film a lot, the book would be a let-down. So many of the characters in their original version are just unlikable. There are a number of other characters who didn't make it to the film as well (Susan and Robin's parents for instance).
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ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(May 13, 2022 07:19 AM)
It sounds like the film made some improvements to the characters.
Every death of the majors is meaningful in someway and while tragic, they are not cruelly presented like I feel
The Towering Inferno
appeared to revel in.
Norman! What did you put in my tea? -
Eric-62-2 — 3 years ago(May 14, 2022 08:54 PM)
Yes and the credit for improving the characters apparently belongs to Stirling Silliphant. Allen first had Wendell Mayes do a script that was closer to the novel, but he rejected that script and brought in Silliphant who basically started from scratch (though Mayes still got screen credit). Silliphant took most of the cruel edges off characters like Scott, Rogo, Linda and Martin and made them people we could root for even with their flaws.
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ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(May 12, 2022 10:43 PM)
The Poseidon Adventure
is a fine example of its substance reflecting in the style. It could be seen as a religious allegory I guess, the Rosen's were Jewish not Christian, or just that life will throw out many unusual challenges.
For these few survivors, even finding the light doesn't mean it will always be sunny, just that dealing with whatever is thrown at them later on in life, will be dealt with in a more empowering manner.
Norman! What did you put in my tea?
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 