IMDb >
Popeye (1980)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPopeye (1980) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
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
Awards:
1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
How Robin Williams dodged death and returned to the stage
(From The Guardian - Film News. 21 November 2009, 4:07 PM, PST)
A Japanese superhero whose backside fires bullets. Cool
(From The Guardian - Film News. 16 November 2009, 1:43 AM, PST)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 21 November 2009, 4:07 PM, PST)
A Japanese superhero whose backside fires bullets. Cool
(From The Guardian - Film News. 16 November 2009, 1:43 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Masterpiece. You heard me right. MASTERPIECE!
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
114 min | Argentina:115 min | Finland:97 min (1981)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
While it may seem odd to most viewers that the movie's portrayal of Popeye does not like spinach, this was also a theme used in the original comic strip by E.C. Segar. In fact, only once during the syndicated run of the comic did Popeye eat spinach (to boost his already considerable strength before a fight). Popeye was not first shown to like spinach and eat it regularly until he made his debut as an animated character (probably more as a move on the part of his producers to promote the animated sailor as a positive role model for younger viewers than anything else).
more
Goofs:
Continuity: Just before Pappy starts singing "It's Not Easy Bein' Me" his pipe is in his mouth, then after he starts singing the pipe disappears, then near the end of the song when he's tied up it's in his hand.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country (1993)
more
Soundtrack:
Blow Me Down
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (136 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Popeye (1980) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Goonies | The Ewok Adventure | Nim's Island | Jumanji | Hercules |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |


I see that lots of people hate this movie. I guess I can see why. It's so idiosyncratic, so loose, so out there, so...Altman. But this is truly one of the sweetest, gentlest, and most tender movies I have ever seen. This movie can be enjoyed if for no other reason than for its total lack of irony. Like Popeye, it is what it is. And I believe it to be a masterpiece.
This was Robin Williams first serious movie role (2 full years before Garp) and he is a brilliant Popeye. He brings so much humanity and pathos to this character that it is easy to see the great movies in his future. Shelly Duval was born to play Olive Oyl and she does not squander the role of a lifetime. And in a smaller role, a standout performance is turned in Bill Irwin as Ham, Olive's bumbling, stumbling, clown of an ex-boyfriend.
The real star of the show, however, is the atmosphere that Altman conjures up, bringing the 2d comic strip vividly to life and setting you down in this magical little island town of Sweet Haven. Harry Nilssons score is pitch perfect and his songs help to sketch out the characters motives and emotions ("He Needs Me", sung by Duvall, is currently being revived thanks to it's being prominently featured in PT Anderson's "Punch Drunk Love").
One more thing about this movie- I can watch it with my three year old son and we sing the songs and both enjoy it immensely. There are so few movies that can do that. Like I said, a masterpiece!