Popeye (1980)

Anyone who pans this film doesn't actually love film.Everyone here from screenwriter to director to composer to cast absolutely sells out. There is an amazing singularity of vision here. They don't flinch. They don't apologize. They aren't embarrassed. You don't catch anyone phoning it in with irony. This is pure film, fully realized.For that reason, it's an odd little film; it doesn't try to belong to our reality at all. It inhabits the reality of the comic strip and does so completely and with a generosity that just isn't ever seen in the American entertainment industry. It's quaint and quirky and twee and affected and absolutely perfect. Nobody felt the need to try to make these characters "rounded" or "deep" or to try to somehow justify Popeye in terms of the actual world that we inhabit.That's what's usually wrong with these comic-come-to-life films. They don't work because comic strips don't inhabit our world. They're stylized and single-minded and composed of hooks and riffs and winks. Just like this film.I know it feels like I'm dancing around the point here so I'll try to get to it. This is a great film. Absolutely great. It stands the test of time because it didn't make the mistake of trying to be "relevant" or "high art" or "educational" or a "blockbuster" or any of that garbage.Everyone here sets out to bring Popeye to life. The characters and the strip. As they always were. And they do. It's pitch-perfect, entertaining, endearing, and unlike anything else. It's a strange little film because Popeye is a strange little character in a strange little strip and within those confines, he was beloved. Just as this film is.Thank goodness no attempt was made to take Popeye and bring him into "our world" with our problems, motivations, settings, habits, and so on. It would have offended the sensibility and history of Popeye. Instead, everyone here did their jobs and did them amazingly well. How they got everyone to simply inhabit this film in the way that they did is beyond me; there isn't a flat performance.And as a result, we get to see Popeye as a real, breathing character. And Olive Oyl. And Sweet Pea. And Bluto.Just brilliant. And it's a travesty that this film isn't more widely seen and enjoyed than it is.

Don't be fooled by the lukewarm reviews when this film was released in 1980. Popeye is one of the quirkier of its era, entertaining and surprising in most unconventional ways.Neither totally cartoony nor over-the-top live action laugh fest (a la The Grinch), it ambles its way musically around one of the most delightful set pieces ever constructed from scratch for a moving picture, the seaside village of "Sweethaven" on the Isle of Malta. Add the absolute commitment to its main characters, played straight by Robin Williams and Shelley Duval, a brilliant song cycle by the Nilsson at his best, and the talk-over style (complete with barely discernible Popeye mumbling asides) by Robert Altman and it is one fine bit of cinema joy. Let it grow on you and discover its many charms. It gets better with age.

How could anyone not love this movie? Robin Williams' portrayal of Popeye is brilliant and hilarious. Shelley Duvall is equally brilliant as Olive Oyl. Ray Walston, Paul Dooley, Paul L. Smith, Roberta Maxwell as Nana Oyl, Richard Libertini and Donald Moffatt as the Taxman, musical score by Harry Nilson and you've got a wonderfully entertaining film the entire family can enjoy. This is my second copy. I bought my original Popeye DVD when it was first issued many years ago. I bought this one as a spare copy. Whenever I'm feeling a bit down or depressed I spend some time in Sweet Haven and all is right with the world again. All those grumpy critics who panned this delightful movie need a serious attitude adjustment. I'll bet they hate spring flowers, songbirds and puppies too.

THE FILM: POPEYE was Robin Williams' first starring role in a feature film, and he inhabits the character perfectly. This movie, more than any other that I can remember, is the best example of a live action cartoon, in the best sense of the term. Watching it was like a cartoon come to life. It was truly wonderful and extremely funny to watch characters behaving as if they were in one, from their movement to the way they spoke. And none exemplify this better than Robin Williams in the title role, who channels his unbridled comic talent into a completely dedicated performance which is equally hilarious and touching. The story is fairly simple, though. Popeye rows into the town of Sweethaven looking for his 'Pap.' While there, he (and the audience) find out about how messed up that town really is. They have an absurd amount of taxes, and everyone is kept in fear of a mysterious Commodore and Captain Bluto, who run the town. He also meets Olive Oyl, played (at times screechingly) by Shelley Duvall (who also fits her role perfectly). This film is also a musical, and there several catchy numbers which have the capacity to stick in your head if you aren't careful. If I have any complaints, it's that Shelley Duvall isn't as good a singer as she is an actress, but nothing she does really ruins the picture. The biggest flaw in the film is direction the narrative takes about two thirds of the way through. I also thought that Bluto wasn't really given his due as a character. Still, for Robin Williams fans this will be essential viewing. It's a wacky, manic experience that demands to be seen.THE DISC: This is a barebones release from Paramount, with no special features to speak of. The only thing "special" is that you can choose between a 5.1 Surround or Stereo track. The transfer was decent, with no visible damage; and the sound mix was also pretty good, but not really dynamic or spectacular. At some points, the post-production dubbing stuck out more than usual, though. Honestly, this film deserves a better release but with the director and star both passed away, a special release seems unlikely. Maybe one day they'll see fit to release it on Blu-ray.OVERALL: This is a very unique film that has a lot of elements to recommend it, even if the narrative is a little uneven/messy. The disc presentation isn't the greatest, but it's the best we have at the moment.

Sailor Popeye arrives in the small town of Sweet Haven looking for his long lost Pappy. The movie debut of the late, great Robin Williams has been unfairly described over the years as one of the worst films ever made. Directed by Robert Altman, this comedy musical is actually rather good fun with plenty of slapstick comedy and is very faithful to the original Popeye cartoon and comic strips with the characters looking like they've literally come to life. While Robin Williams would of course go on to much bigger and better things it is a good debut performance, just known at the time for TV shows Mork And Mindy and Saturday Night Live while Shelley Duvall was the bigger name giving a good performance as Popeye's girlfriend Olive Oil with Paul L Smith an actor to file under whatever happened to him menacing as bully Bluto and Ray Walston as Pappy with the film showing the origins of Popeye and it's basically a live action cartoon.

One of my childhood favourite cartoons I learned to find out about the live action movie of Popeye and played by the one and only Robin Williams I had to buy and own this DVD pretty basic DVD just contains the movie what else do you want. Almost animated story of our best known sailor, Robin Williams plays Popeye spot on and Shelley Duvall playing Olive Oyl which I’m sure she was born to play the live action character I think this movie is great quality for it’s time and I would highly recommend it for all ages.

I really enjoyed this film, which has lots of action, a great setting (filmed in Malta), and had convincing acting performances. Some people criticise Robin Williams' diction, which admittedly isn't easy to follow, but he is actually doing a realistic imitation of the way Popeye speaks in the cartoons. At the end Popeye eats his spinach, vanquishes arch enemy Bluto, and wins the hand of Olive Oyl in an all action sequence filmed at sea. And today if you visit Malta, you can visit the specially created film set for a day out.

Slapstick comedy. I imagine not every adult would enjoy watching this film. Popeye made use of spinach only on one occasion, i.e. near the end. Surprised there was only one film made though. To go to the trouble of building an entire village in Malta and only making one film doesn't make sense to me. There should have been a whole series of films? Kids might like it. Olive Oil was very good. Lot of muttering rather than talking in the film made it difficult to hear what was being said. I managed to watch all the way through.

I remember when my boys were growing up, sitting with them to watch this film. It was funny, and the songs catchy. Robin Williams was great as Popeye, and played the part Just as you would imagine Popeye to be like. Now I sit with my Grandchildren and watch it, and still get lots of laughs. Love the film

This I bought for myself (66yr old) as I watched this initially with my son many years ago and wanted to add it to my library of films. Watched it with my grandson of eight. I enjoyed it very much as it was quite nostalgic for me and grandson enjoyed it also. perhaps not everyone's taste but it had happy memories for me.

Popeye must be one of the most under rated films of all time. Often much maligned. Critics seem to fall into one of two camps, they either love it, or hate it. I enjoyed this film immensely. On the same lines of the Dick Tracy movie (1990), it is purposely played on the lines of the cartoon/comic strip, humourous, atmospheric and colourful.Shelly Duvall IS Olive Oil, and Robin Williams does a fine job as the Sailorman.Check out... 34mins 30 seconds in, the wonderful ad-lib between Popeye (Williams) and Swee'Pea (Wesley Ivan Hurt/Robert Altmans grandson)

A friend had asked about this Robin Williams film and he couldn’t find it in charity shops etc after popping it in search I’d ordered and paid in seconds he was chuffed it arrived a day earlier too

Dialogue difficult to follow. Not as funny as expected. Watched with grandchildren aged 6 and 8 years. We all got bored after about half hour.

I adore robin and shelly together in this film, the songs are memorable and funny and it's a such a classic that never really received the attention it deserved. If you love robin williams and you love popeye you will love this film, it's one of his most colourful character roles in one of his earliest film's and it's wonderful.

Great film seen it before on VHS bought it for someone, they didn't know it existed this time on DVD.

Bought for the grandchildren as they didn't know who Popeye was. Was never a great film but you have to love Robin Williams, sadly no longer with us.

Brilliant. Robin Williams best film. Good service from the seller

Weird film that grows on you, even though I am not sure I was fully aware of what is going on. It has Robin Williams and was made in Malta - nuff said.

Seen the Village and have now seen the film which is quite funny