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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Director: Richard Fleischer
Writer: Earl Felton(screenplay), Jules Verne (book)
Cast: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Genre: Adventure, Sci Fi Fantasy
In 1954 Walt Disney personally produced the Jules Verne's classic 19th century novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. As with other of Walt's personal movie projects, no expense was spared. Shot in expensive 3 strip Technicolor and in anamorphic wide screen CinemaScope.
The special effects were impressive, especially the actual undersea footage which was shot on location in the Bahamas. I must say it looks real good! I'm sure audiences were thrilled to see men walking on the bottom of the sea and encountering sunken treasure and strange creatures. The submarine too is a very cool design, very detailed and Disney even had a 'real' sub built for the movie.
The sub is styled after an 1890's steam ship, hence some consider this movie an early precursor of the steampunk genre.
James Mason is Captain Nemo, and while he seems like a good choice and gives his usual fine performance, the script doesn't really give him much chance to develop any depth. For depth albeit of a comic nature there's Kirk Douglas. Who knew tough guy Kirk Douglas could be so personable and funny on screen. Peter Lorre too, gets to do some comic scenes and is a memorable character. Equally screen worthy is Esmeralda the seal.
I liked this for it's set design and visual look, but I wasn't engaged in the storyline as it's not that compelling. But if you watch this for fun you should have a good time.
Writer: Earl Felton(screenplay), Jules Verne (book)
Cast: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Genre: Adventure, Sci Fi Fantasy
In 1954 Walt Disney personally produced the Jules Verne's classic 19th century novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. As with other of Walt's personal movie projects, no expense was spared. Shot in expensive 3 strip Technicolor and in anamorphic wide screen CinemaScope.
The special effects were impressive, especially the actual undersea footage which was shot on location in the Bahamas. I must say it looks real good! I'm sure audiences were thrilled to see men walking on the bottom of the sea and encountering sunken treasure and strange creatures. The submarine too is a very cool design, very detailed and Disney even had a 'real' sub built for the movie.
The sub is styled after an 1890's steam ship, hence some consider this movie an early precursor of the steampunk genre.
A feisty sailor, Kirk Douglas, gets restrained on the orders of a delusional Captain Nemo...James Mason.
Veteran actor Peter Lorre gets to give his comedy chops a work out.James Mason is Captain Nemo, and while he seems like a good choice and gives his usual fine performance, the script doesn't really give him much chance to develop any depth. For depth albeit of a comic nature there's Kirk Douglas. Who knew tough guy Kirk Douglas could be so personable and funny on screen. Peter Lorre too, gets to do some comic scenes and is a memorable character. Equally screen worthy is Esmeralda the seal.
I liked this for it's set design and visual look, but I wasn't engaged in the storyline as it's not that compelling. But if you watch this for fun you should have a good time.