Survival Expert Analyzes 51-Year-Old Disaster Movie's Jaw-Dropping Disaster Preparedness

Summary

The Poseidon Adventure's capsizing sequence is not believable according to cruise ship captain Wendy Williams. Tsunamis do not look like they appear in the film.

Williams clarifies that although larger objects on cruise ships are fastened down, tables and chairs remain mobile. Moreover, the rapid maneuvering portrayed in the movie is unrealistic, and in reality, ships become inundated with water when they overturn.

Although air pockets may be present within a capsized vessel, the chances of long-term survival are highly improbable. The thickness of a ship's hull varies based on its construction and classification.

A film expert assesses the feasibility of survival in the 1972 movie The Poseidon Adventure. With a release date 25 years prior to Titanic, The Poseidon Adventure presented a unique perspective on a sinking ship scenario. Starring Gene Hackman, the film portrays the harrowing tale of a group of passengers struggling to stay alive after their cruise ship is capsized by a massive wave.

Captain Wendy Williams thoroughly analyzes the sequence depicting the ship's capsizing in The Poseidon Adventure, evaluating the plausibility of such an event. In an interview with Insider, Williams discredits various misconceptions perpetuated by the film, such as the appearance of tsunamis out at sea and the thickness of a ship's hull. Addressing the capsizing scene, Williams highlights the unrealistic portrayal of tables and chairs being securely fastened to the ship. This contradicts the crucial visual element of passengers desperately clinging to overturned dining tables. Ultimately, Williams rates the film's believability as a disappointing "2 or 3" out of 10.

This particular wave resembled an upright Niagara Falls, which made it highly unbelievable. Tsunamis are most powerful when they reach the shore, whereas out at sea, they may appear as ordinary waves. Thus, its appearance as a tsunami rather than a real wave is quite questionable. Although a tsunami wave would not exhibit such characteristics, it would still be advisable to navigate away from the affected area if possible.

I distinctly recall witnessing this event during my childhood, particularly the chaotic scene in the dining room where everything seemed to be turned upside down. On cruise ships, items such as tables, chairs, and pianos are securely fastened to prevent damage. These larger vessels maintain a register list, known as a Heavy Object Register List, to secure valuable items that could potentially cause significant harm, such as a piano that could even penetrate a bulkhead. However, movable objects like tables and chairs are not secured. Moreover, it is not plausible for a ship to swiftly change direction to the extent where people would need to hold onto objects. In the event of a ship capsizing, it does not abruptly overturn but gradually fills up with water.

Could people have survived inside there for a sustained period of time? Possibly, there could have been air pockets. However, it is highly unlikely that there would be enough air for such a long duration. The shaft alley is interesting because the shell plating thickness is only 1 inch, which is quite thick for an icebreaker class. Ship hulls are not typically that thick, but in engine spaces and technical areas, they would be. The thickness of the hull varies depending on the construction and class of the ship.

In terms of fun factor, I would give it a 9, but in terms of believability, a 2 or 3.

How Would The Poseidon Adventure Improve If Made Today?

Williams' assessment of The Poseidon Adventure is brutally honest and meticulously dissects the film's survival narrative, exposing numerous inaccuracies related to the vessel. With no sugar-coating, Williams reveals the extent of these discrepancies. The only faint glimmer of positivity that Williams extends to The Poseidon Adventure, which possibly contributes to its 2 out of 10 rating, is the plausibility of an engine room being supported by a thicker, one-inch hull. It is worth noting that Williams' evaluations are not entirely sensationalist, as she gives Titanic's sinking a comparatively high rating.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that certain aspects of The Poseidon Adventure could benefit from modern technological advancements. The tsunami scene serves as a prime example. In the film, the wave that engulfs the boat has an almost comically artificial retreat, flowing over the vessel with exaggerated precision. Modern CGI techniques, as showcased in films like Avatar: The Way of Water and Dune, offer the means to realistically depict the immense fluid movements of bodies of water or other substances. The 2014 movie, Interstellar, even showcased the development of CGI technology by creating a visually stunning, colossal wave on an alien planet.

The Poseidon Adventure still lacked sufficient research to accurately depict a disaster event of that nature. While CGI improved the appearance of the waves, it didn't address the fact that tsunamis at sea don't look like that and shouldn't be called as such. Additionally, the thickness of the ship's hull was only mentioned in dialogue; the film didn't show any details of the inside of a hull or similar aspects. The analysis of The Poseidon Adventure offers an intriguing exploration of how visual effects and thorough research intersect when portraying disasters on screen.