‘Deluge’: The First Ever Disaster Film
The disaster film genre has long captivated audiences, offering a glimpse of large-scale destruction from the safety of a theatre seat. Hollywood has explored various catastrophic scenarios: earthquakes, fires, asteroids, alien invasions and even sharknados. Each disaster film, from ‘Dante’s Peak’ to ‘Armageddon’ and ‘The Towering Inferno,’ owes its existence to the pioneering film that started it all, a classic believed lost for nearly half a century: 1933’s ‘Deluge.’
‘Deluge’ begins with scientists warning New York City of a violent storm, attributed to barometric disruptions. The crisis escalates when a solar eclipse triggers worldwide disasters, including relentless earthquakes that decimate Rome, London, and the entire U.S. West Coast.
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As a tsunami approaches New York, Martin Webster (Sidney Blackmer) and his family seek refuge on a high rock. Martin returns to gather supplies, but during his absence, earthquakes and tsunamis ravage the city. Upon his return, he finds the area desolate, believing his family perished. He survives alone, constructing a shelter and hiding his provisions.
Elsewhere, Jepson (Fred Kohler) and Norwood (Ralf Harolde) rescue Claire Arlington (Peggy Shannon), a world-class swimmer. Conflict ensues, leading Jepson to kill Norwood and pursue Claire, who escapes to Martin’s island. Martin and Claire develop a bond, unaware that Martin’s wife, Helen (Lois Wilson), and their children have survived and joined a group of survivors. Helen convinced Martin is alive, rejects the advances of their group’s leader, Tom (Matt Moore).
Jepson allies with Bellamy (Philo McCullough) and his gang, exiled for their crimes. They kidnap Claire, but Martin rescues her, leading to a confrontation where Claire kills Jepson. Rescued by the townspeople, Martin reunites with his family. He reveals his love for both Helen and Claire, creating a tense situation. Eventually, Claire leaves, realizing she cannot stay with Martin. Martin becomes the town’s mayor, helping establish a new society.
‘Deluge’ was groundbreaking, depicting the destruction of New York’s landmarks with impressive practical effects, including a massive miniature set. Its impact on the genre is evident, with scenes influencing later films like ‘The Day After Tomorrow.’
The film’s rediscovery was a cinematic triumph. Initially found in 1981 by archivist Forrest J. Ackerman in a poor-quality Italian-dubbed print, a 2016 discovery of a 35mm nitrate negative led to a full restoration by Lobster Films, complete with an English soundtrack. ‘Deluge’ was reintroduced to the world, securing its legacy as the origin of the disaster film genre.
– Farheen Ali
