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Deluge is a 1933 disaster film directed by Felix E. Feist which tells the story of the destruction of New York City by a massive tidal wave. The movie revolved around Martin and Helen, a young couple who fall in love within the chaos of the disaster. The movie was set in Manhattan, where we see the bustling city rife with daily activity, from commuters to businessmen moving in and out of offices. The first half of the movie shows the lives of various characters living in the city, including Martin (Sidney Blackmer) his brother, sister-in-law and his love interest, Helen (Peggy Shannon). Everything changes when it is discovered that a worldwide earthquake has shifted the Earth’s poles causing the Atlantic ocean to rise. As the ominous news spread, panic grips the city as residents start to flee the city in buses, taxis, boats and cars in hopes of finding safety.

The disaster is portrayed through the eyes of Martin who watches the city being destroyed with his own eyes. We see his brother's death, who was caught up in the wave and his sister-in-law, who survives but later falls gravely ill. Martin's new-found love Helen, who is in another part of the city, ends up in survival mode, haunted by images of debris and destruction.

One of the unique aspects of the movie is the use of split-screen technology. The split-screen reveals the chaos of the impending disaster, with crowds of people running and screaming while buildings crumble down and water begins to lash onto the streets of the city. We also see the characters' desperation to survive, including Martin and Helen, who are trying to outlast the waves in a crowded subway car.

The metaphor of water serves as a reminder of the force of nature as well as the human response in a crisis. The loss of property and possessions appear trivial, compared to the potential loss of life as the tidal wave rages on.

Deluge has a poignant soundtrack that is used more to highlight the emotional drama of the moment than any actual action on the screen. It was sweet and loving during the romantic scenes and eerie during the disaster moments. While there’s little to no dialogue in the film, the music draws out emotions and sets the tone for each scene exceptionally well.

The special effects in Deluge are typical of the 1930s and may appear amateurish and outdated to most viewers today. Nonetheless, the special effects are achieve-able of smashing buildings and causing mayhem and disasters which still effectively convey a sense of chaos.

The movie was released in the 1930's, during the height of the Great Depression, which gives viewers a peek into what life might have been like during that time. The movie’s success is credited to its depiction of images and messages, which are believed to resonate with the average American audience at the time.

Overall, Deluge is a typical disaster movie, which is filled with over-the-top effects, melodrama and the cliché love story between two of the film’s protagonists. However, despite its dated special effects and some of its melodrama, it is still an engaging and competent film. The theme of the movie is the fight for survival against adversity and nature, in which the humans are faced with seemingly unsurmountable challenges. If one is ready to ignore the flaws, then it is worth giving Deluge a chance.

Deluge is a 1933 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.