Rating: 
Summary: VHS Ok, When will we see a full feature DVD?
Review: The tape seems to be the same version now shown on tv. Some of the more adult content, such as Douglas and Lorrie getting drunk, had been cut out. Though the story has been "Disney-fied" to a degree, it is certainly the best adaption of the book to film. There is a new disney animated film in production titled "Atlantis" that shares some elements with 20,000 Leagues - details revealed so far are that it is NOT a musical and does NOT feature talking animals. We can only hope....In mean time, I'd really like to see a DVD release of 20,000 Leagues, wide screen, with restored scenes and some of the documentary material I remember from Wonderful World of Disney.
Rating:
Summary: Jules Verne would have been proud.
Review: Kirk Douglas and James Mason star in this classic movie based on Jules Verne's novel about the mysterious Captain Nemo and his life beneath the sea. Was ahead of it;s time in terms of special effects, and the scope of the story that they acheived on film. It's both great family entertainment and a great contribution to the science fiction genre.
Rating: 
Summary: MAGNIFICENT Adaptation
Review: Walt Disney's 1st live-action adventure film is still among thestudio's best! The basis of the novel is intact, even if half ismissing (the scientific details, the sunken city of Atlantis). The Nautilus is PERFECT; one wishes Charles Schneer had borrowed it when HE filmed the sequel. After a huge build-up, the long tracking shot where you finally see the entire vessel is almost identical to the unveiling of Darth Vader's flagship in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! Disney made it more of a "family" film, with humor, a bit of music, and a trained seal! James Mason brought much more drama and personality to the main character than had originally existed in the book. Nemo was a total cipher in the novel, as Verne never revealed his background until the latter portion of THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, and the details seen here completely contradict the author's vision. In fact, the sequence in which Nemo describes what happened to his family (CUT whenever this was run on the Disney TV show!) seems to have been lifted from the 1929 silent film, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND! In spite of the changes, this nevertheless remains one of the better, and more accurate, of all the Verne film adaptations.
Rating:
Summary: THE HANDSOME JAMES MASON
Review: AS A RELATIVE OF CAPTAIN NEMO (JAMES MASON)I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE WON AN OSCAR FOR HIS UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE. THE FILM IS A CLASSIC THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED BY YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE.WATCH IT WITH YOUR KIDS. WAIT TILL THEY SEE THE GIANT SQUID!
Rating:
Summary: MAGNIFICENT Adaptation
Review: Legend has it George Pal wanted to do this, but the studio he was with refused to give him the proper budget; Disney didn't want to compete, but Pal told him he KNEW Walt would do it "right"! I think he did... The basis of the novel is intact, even if half is missing (the scientific details, the sunken city of Atlantis). The Nautilus is PERFECT, and one only wishes Charles Schneer had borrowed it when HE filmed the sequel. After a huge build-up, the long tracking shot where you finally see the entire vessel is almost identical to the unveiling of Darth Vader's flagship in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! Of course, Disney made it more of a "family" film, with humor, a bit of music, and a trained seal! One key addition was in the character of Captain Nemo. Like Roy Scheider in 2010 (a film with some parallels to this one) James Mason brought much more drama and personality to the main character than had originally existed in the book. I was shocked to learn Nemo was a total UNKNOWN CYPHER in the novel! Verne never revealed his background until the latter portion of THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, and the details seen here completely contradict the author's vision. In fact, the sequence in which Nemo describes his family being tortured by government THUGS who want his inventions (CUT whenever this was run on the Disney TV show!) seems to have been lifted from the 1929 silent film, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND! In spite of all the action and melodrama replacing hard science and exploration, this nevertheless remains one of the better, and more accurate, of all the Verne film adaptations.
Rating:
Summary: I've watched it 20,000 times and still love it!
Review: Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films was the unforfeitable 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This is one of my favorite Disney films. The story, actors, sets, and special effects are unbelievable! I loved watching this film growing up. I love it even more now! This is fun family film!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinante...y marivillosa.
Review: Ví esta película siendo niño, todavía recuerdo el asombro que causo en mí poder visualizadar en la pantalla grande el Nautilus, el cual había imaginado extraordinario mientras leía la novela del escritor más imaginativo y explorador...Julio Verne. Recomiendo este film para que los padres lo vuelvan a disfrutar junto a sus hijos y que estos olviden por un momento...los "dibujitos" de moda. Buenos Aires, 6 de Mayo de 2000.
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe that nobody's reviewed his yet...
Review: This was Walt Disney's first live action film and probably his best. The special effects, while not up to current computer driven imagery was better than most other films for almost thirty years. The story is an adaptation of Jules Verne's classic with an emphasis on providing pagentry and action to the viewer. In many ways, it flows much better than Verne's work and brings to life the characters in ways that Verne seems to have been able to (or maybe the problems I had was with the translation that I was reading). James Mason overshadows all of the other actors in this film as Captain Nemo. Kirk Douglas puts up a credible front as Ned Land, harpooner, adventurer and part time crooner. Now, why isn't it on DVD yet?
Rating:
Summary: Superb art direction,production values frame epic film!
Review: Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an acknowledged epic in world literature's sci-fi/adventure genre. Disney has presented the story with its themes involving justice, revenge, scientific achievement and pursuit of knowledge at an admirably comparable scale. The acting is fine with the portrait of Captain Nemo rendered by James Mason probably definitive (in the way that Gregory Peck "characterized" Captain Ahab in Moby Dick). Though Disney...rightfully...backs-off from a character exploration that would bring an overly dark dimension to a wonderful(and uncondescending) family adventure, the same elements one sees in the classic film anti-heroes(Ahab...Colonel Kurtz) are clearly presented without stereotype or dilution. The rest of the cast is fine; particularly Paul Lukas conveying well the tension of a man loyal to his friends (and humanity) yet sorely tempted by Nemo's almost god-like knowledge The Nautilus itself is awesome and rivals anything the FX men can dream-up on their computers or IL&M can build. In my opinion, this movie is indeed a classic because...like myth...its story is timeless and its masterful presentation makes it accessible...and fun...for all viewers, once and future.
Rating:
Summary: The best Jules Verne film ever.
Review: James Mason in perhaps his greatest role as Captain Nemo, Kirk Douglas successfully sings the film's only song, Peter Lorre in a classic performance, Jules Verne's novel brought to life perfectly, Walt Disney's production values at their highest. Perfection.
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