Robert Altman directs this wonderfully haphazard interpretation of the story that originally appeared in the Thimble Theater comic strip. Robin Williams (in his first starring role) brings a shy sweetness to his version of Popeye as a son in search of his long-lost father. Shelly Duval, who was fresh from wrapping THE SHINING, seems born to play the role of Olive Oyl. Altman shot the film on the island of Malta where he constructed the village of Sweethaven, far from the prying eyes of producers and studio bigwigs. The plot is familiar and yet almost nonexistent, the soundtrack is by Harry Nilsson and there’s a climatic wrestling match with an octopus. What more could you ask for?

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Directed by Robert Altman
USA, 1980, 1h 54min, DCP
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Tickets: https://www.austinfilm.org/screening/popeye/