Popeye

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Popeye

PG

Released Dec 12, 1980

1h 54m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Looking for the father (Ray Walston) who deserted him as a baby, a sailor named Popeye (Robin Williams) journeys to the port town of Sweethaven. Popeye befriends an assortment of eccentrics and falls in love with Olive Oyl (Shelley Duvall), who already has a suitor, the bully Bluto (Paul L. Smith). Popeye also discovers an abandoned baby, Swee'Pea, whom he raises as his own. But when the spurned Bluto kidnaps Olive and the child, Popeye takes action, with the help of his magic spinach.

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Critics Consensus

Altman's take on the iconic cartoon is messy and wildly uneven, but its robust humor and manic charm are hard to resist.

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Patrick Gibbs

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Despite the evidently affectionate reproductions, as it were, by Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall as Popeye and his girl, Olive Oyl, and some loyal support, I don't think this comes off at all; but then, I have no fond memory of the originals.

Jun 17, 2022

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Popeye may be uneven and at times wilful, like many Altman films. But it is still very much the enjoyable fable it should be.

Jun 17, 2022

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David Ansen

Newsweek

One succumbs to a state of glazed indifference. The fault is not in the performances by Williams and Duvall, but rather, I suspect, in Altman's refusal to allow any movie star to violate the one-dimensional texture he's created.

Jun 17, 2022

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John Brosnan

Starburst

Altman's naturalism and the unreal subject matter that makes Popeye so interesting and unusual... a genuinely original atmosphere.

Jul 26, 2022

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Nobody could actively dislike Popeye, but that's scarcely the kind of apology anyone should be making for an Altman film.

Jun 16, 2022

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Peter Sobczynski

The Spool

[I]t turned out to be one of the most wonderfully bizarre family films of its time and holds up beautifully today.

Dec 10, 2020

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jesse g

I enjoyed the film and thought the characterizations were great. I've seen Robin Williams put this film down saying it didn't have an ending but I think he missed with his judgment on his own film. The film created its own world and allowed us to visit for a while with Popeye and Olive oil

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

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Omar F

Under appreciated gem. Popeye is a fantastic film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

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Bonnie B

Totally charming and a must see for children of all ages, up to 100. Shelley Duvall and Robin Williams make a fantastic pair and bring to life these wonderful characters. Listening to their duets and the delightful lyrics is a sure escape from the sad depression of life on the planet these days. if you're a child at heart, don't miss it. The acting of all is superb.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

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Julian S

Despite the musical numbers being god-awful and lazily written, they don't entirely sink this film. There's an odd charm and timeless quality to the whole bizarre tale that might make it more appealing to adults than to children.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

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Brent A

10% rating ... Hard pass. This was not a very good film. You should definitely skip this one.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

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John T. H

these songs are still stuck in my head. never thought Popeye would make such a great Musical! and the Cast is 100% Perfect!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

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Robert Altman

Director

Robin Williams

Popeye

Shelley Duvall

Olive Oyl

Paul L. Smith

Bluto

Ray Walston

Poopdeck Pappy

Paul Dooley

Wimpy

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Popeye: Official Clip - He Needs Me

2:12

Popeye: Official Clip - I Yam What I Yam

2:01

Popeye: Official Clip - I'm Popeye the Sailor Man

2:13

Popeye: Official Clip - He's Large

2:11

Popeye: Official Clip - Bluto Blows!

2:08

Popeye: Official Clip - Stay With Me

2:12

Popeye: Official Clip - I'm Mean

1:57

Popeye: Official Clip - Oxblood Oxheart

2:13

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Synopsis

Looking for the father (Ray Walston) who deserted him as a baby, a sailor named Popeye (Robin Williams) journeys to the port town of Sweethaven. Popeye befriends an assortment of eccentrics and falls in love with Olive Oyl (Shelley Duvall), who already has a suitor, the bully Bluto (Paul L. Smith). Popeye also discovers an abandoned baby, Swee'Pea, whom he raises as his own. But when the spurned Bluto kidnaps Olive and the child, Popeye takes action, with the help of his magic spinach.

Director: Robert Altman
Producer: Robert Evans
Screenwriter: Jules Feiffer
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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