IMDb > Popeye (1980)
Popeye
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Popeye (1980) -- The sailor man travels to Sweethaven, falls in love with Olive Oyl, adopts Sweetpea and makes an enemy with Bluto.

Overview

User Rating:
4.8/10   10,607 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 23% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Altman
Writers:
Jules Feiffer (screenplay)
E.C. Segar (based on characters by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Popeye on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 December 1980 (USA) more
Tagline:
Haves a happy holiday wit me an' Olive! more
Plot:
The sailor man travels to Sweethaven, falls in love with Olive Oyl, adopts Sweetpea and makes an enemy with Bluto. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
Marvel's Avi Arad Secures Rights for a CGI Popeye Movie
 (From FirstShowing.net. 24 September 2009, 1:40 PM, PDT)

The CGI Popeye
 (From JoBlo. 24 September 2009, 12:02 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
puppies bunny rabbits more (136 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robin Williams ... Popeye

Shelley Duvall ... Olive Oyl
Ray Walston ... Poopdeck Pappy
Paul Dooley ... Wimpy
Paul L. Smith ... Bluto
Richard Libertini ... Geezil
Donald Moffat ... The Taxman
MacIntyre Dixon ... Cole Oyl
Roberta Maxwell ... Nana Oyl
Donovan Scott ... Castor Oyl

Allan F. Nicholls ... Rough House (as Allan Nicholls)
Wesley Ivan Hurt ... Swee'pea
Bill Irwin ... Ham Gravy - the Old Boyfriend
Robert Fortier ... Bill Barnacle - the Town Drunk
David McCharen ... Harry Hotcash - the Gambler
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min | Argentina:115 min | Finland:97 min (1981)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Vistasonic
Certification:
Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Canada:G (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG (Approved No. 26147) | Singapore:PG | Brazil:Livre
Filming Locations:
Anchor Bay, Malta more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Robin Williams's film debut. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: As per the info in the trivia section of this film, the make up and appliances for Popeye's massive forearms were not ready. So in some scenes, especially the boxing match, if you look at the inside of his forearms, you can see that they are merely flesh colored pads tied over Robin Williams' arms (the strings are visible). more
Quotes:
Popeye: I found him in Sweet Haven, that's why I am calling him Swee'Pea. That is his name.
Olive Oyl: Swee'Pea is the worst name I've ever heard on a baby.
Popeye: Well what do you wants me to call him? Baby Oyl?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Everything Is Food more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
32 out of 42 people found the following comment useful.
puppies bunny rabbits, 29 August 2005
Author: daverenick2

Before offering my opinion on whether this is "the worst movie" ever made or something else I have to mention this: A few minutes into the film, when Popeye lands, the song that begins after a piano nearly falls on him; This little number...the arrangement and choice of instruments.....filled with Williams mutterings and asides...suddenly becoming melodic and sweet between mutterings.....performed in a tilted sailor jig....well...it's beautiful....absolutely got some heaven in it.....it's so sweet and funny.......I love the sound of it...Williams voice...the swelling sweet horns, the Fender bass...that French accordian thing......it's got to be a "magic film moment" at least for me.....something blissful there....best moment of the movie by far......justifies renting it to play until you get it in your bloodstream....."I yam what I yam....I comes from the sea"

OK...as for the rest of it....sort of meanders and heads downhill. Yes Duval's interpretation is genius...and I don't think Robin Williams is capable of really lousing anything up.......in fact......I can't picture a better Popeye....he's one of a kind.......but with the exception of the lead in song....the rest of the tunes aren't going to win awards.

Ya know.....this movie shouldn't even be criticized. It's such a sweet easy sort of mess. People that hate puppies and babies playing with rubber duckies in the tub will despise it....maybe it even seems an embarrassment to the stars years later......and yes maybe Famous Rays pizza isn't fine dining and maybe cold beer at certain summer moments isn't exquisite liqueur but...you get the idea......i just like this loopy effort...a lot went into it......it's unselfconscious and weird and very funny...it isn't "challenging" or meant to be, and in fact it has brilliant moments.

It might not be your cup of tea, but to me it's sweet and light. And that first song knocks me out.

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