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Summary: Here's a story about how good this film is
Review: First off, I'll say that this is BY FAR the best live-action film Disney ever produced. None of the irritating condescension that characterizes so many Disney films. No -- this film delivers the goods.And my story...? I first saw the film on television as a child. But about ten years ago, I was lucky enough to see the film on the big screen, at a matinee showing in a small-town community theater. The theater was jam-packed with children, ages ranging from about 5 to 10. The kids were chattering like crazy -- the theater was filled with noise. Even when the film started, the kids kept talking. But very slowly, as the minutes passed, the kids got quieter. And quieter. Late in the film, when we're moving into the final explosive climax, the Nautilus rams a warship that has been hunting it. The protagonists -- Aronax, Conseil, and Ned Land -- rush to the sub's giant iris window. The iris opens onto an underwater vista -- to reveal, in the murky blue distance, the warship sinking awesomely, majestically, down to the bottom of the sea -- flames and smoke issuing from its still-burning interior. We can hear the muffled roar of its descent. At that moment in the film, I realized that the audience had become completely silent. They were riveted and awestruck. That, my friends, is great storytelling. Any film that can cause an entire theater-full of 5-10-year-olds to become completely silent, totally rapt with attention, is worthy of praise. As far as I'm concerned, this film is the best thing Disney ever did.
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Summary: Don't miss the sequal "Mysterious Island" , (1961)
Review: "20,000 Leaques Under the Sea", (1954), is one of the best science-fiction, fantasy films ever made. It is far superior to any other verision of the book. Since there is not much I can add to reviews of the people who have already recommenned it; I will encourage viewers to see the sequal "Mysterious Island", (1961); with Herbert Lom as Capt. Nemo, In the first movie, "Capt. Nemo trys to destroy the weapons of war; in the second he attempts to prevent one of the causes of war-food shortages". (A minor error in "Mysterious Island" is that there is no explanation about what happened to the other crew members of the Nautilus. I guess they went home). Both films make for an exciting double-bill. The music for "Mysterious Island", (composed by Bernard Hermann), is used in the Grand Canyon exhibit, on the Disneyland railroad, further cementing the ties to "20,000 Leagues". On a related note, many scale model builders, have wanted to build a plastic, injection-molded scale model of the Natuilus. Maybe Disney can release one as a product tie-in to the issue of the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Horray!
Review: This video is a masterpeice. Kirk Douglas played his part perfectly, and my whole family loves this movie (in fact, their watching it right now). I would give this movie 20 stars if possible. But even 20 stars wouldn't be enough go give "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" the credit it deserves.
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Summary: Before "Wild, Wild West"
Review: Probably the greatest movie (IMNSHO) ever to come out of the house that Mouse built. Though based on the classic Verne novel, "20K" takes a different direction from the book. As in the original book, set shortly after the Civil War, the famed marine biologist Professor Aronax and his faithful aide, Conseil (Peter Lorre) embark on a global study of the oceans, hot on the trail of a mysterious monster that has been poking triangle-shaped holes in the sides of ships. Aboard the USS Lincoln, they meet Ned Land, a strong-willed whale hunter eager harpoon the mysterious beast. When the Lincoln is instead herself attacked, Land, Conseil and the Prof find themselves adrift at sea, eventually coming upon the iron-plated sin of the monster, which ofcourse is really a submarine ship (unheard of in those days) under the command of the enigmatic Captain Nemo. A genius served by a loyal crew of outcasts, and owing no loyalty to any country, Nemo stalks their ships. In both film and book, Nemo (whose name means "no man" in latin) is tortured by some terrible secret. Professor Aronax, in thrall to Nemo's genius and the secrets his fantastic submarine have revealed, loyally follows the captain, though not so closely that he can't see the depth of Nemo's pain. Ned Land, probably because of his casting, is a much more significant character here, playing the brawn counterpoint to James Mason's cool Nemo. The flick steers a different course from there. While Verne was fastidious to bring the fantastic Nautilus into the realm of possibility - carefully documenting its dimensions, its compartments and the science behind its propulsion (harvesting electricity from the sea using elements commonly found in sea water), the film hints at a more seductive possibility (with the professor witnessing an incredible fire burning inside of a propulsion unit deep within the Nautilus, and also climaxing with the Captain's mysterious island being wiped out by a familiar looking mushroom cloud). James Mason's Nemo isn't as specific with his facts as Verne's, and his character hints instead at the many scars he's endured. The other altered character is the Nautilus itself. Verne probably conceived the Nautilus as some hopped up hybrid of two legendary confederate warships - the Hunley and the Virginia - essentially a 19th century approximation of the WWII submarine. Disney's ship is wonder in its own right - a beautiful if terrifying monster that matches its creator in genius and pain, and wonderfully matching the Victorian age in which it was built. "20K" single-handedly spurred a run of movie makers onto works of Verne and HG Wells - offering tantalizing if improbable prospects that industrious men of the 19th century invented airplanes, submarines, nuclear power and interplanetary travel. Only this film realized the promise of that genre with its combination of wit, great performances and even a deeper, if more obscure vision of science. And, though it often sounds like a throwaway line in other, lesser films, this really is a great film for the whole family.
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Summary: Holds up across generations
Review: I loved this movie as a kid and finally was able to see it again after a lapse of almost 35 years. As an adult it didn't have quite the same impact as when I was 10. Still I liked it immensely and agree with the other reviewers regarding the basic quality of the production and cast. What surprised me though was that my young girls, aged 5 and 7 would take to the movie as well. I had not even thought of showing it to them but they saw the box one day and wanted to see it. The cannibals were scarry but entertaining and the squid sequence left a lasting impact. Have you noticed the number of nature documentaries about squid which include portions of the movie?
My youngest began to make lego (duplo) submarines, which later became baby subs, mommy subs etc. and which have been a staple of her play activities ever since.
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Summary: Hard to beat for an adventure movie to share with the family
Review: This film version of Jules Verne's novel, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" has few, if any flaws. It won Oscars for art direction and special effects (deservedly) and the performances (especially James Mason and Kirk Douglas) were overlooked at Oscar time, probably because science fiction is often not taken seriously. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was a favorite book of mine as a child, and the movie is true to the novel. James Mason is perfect as Captain Nemo, a rogue scientist/inventor/businessman who rejects the barbarity of the "civilized" world and mounts an undersea war against those who make war and ravage the sea. Paul Lukas plays a scientist who is rescued by Nemo, along with Lukas' aide (a perpetually frightened and bewildered Peter Lorre) and their harpoonist, all-American boy Ned Land (Kirk Douglas). The three are unsure of what to make of Nemo, who is obviously a genius and who is protesting barbarity, but who is also ruthless and secretive. And, they are somewhere between guests and prisoners after Nemo rescues them (after sinking their ship). Lukas's ship had been in search of a sea monster that sinks ships; that turns out to be Captain Nemo's submarine, the Nautilus. While the special effects are slightly dated at times, the Nautilus in the film was a marvel, and still is. And, watch out for the giant squid! Another wonderful aspect of the film (and the novel) was how imaginative Jules Verne was. The story takes place right after the Civil War (1870?), but the submarine is nuclear-powered and Captain Nemo is engaged in underwater farming! This is a flawless translation of a wonderful science/adventure novel to film, and it's a perfect family movie, good for all but very young children. Enjoy!
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Summary: Flawless...A Cinematic Masterpiece!!
Review: The problem I'm facing as I write this review is simply deciding where to begin.
Disney's cinematic version of Jules Verne's classic novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is, in a word, awesome. But "awesome" is only one word which a person could use to describe this film, others would include marvelous, magical, mysterious, enticing, wonderful, majestic...well, you get the picture.
Released theatrically in 1954, "20,000 Leagues..." tells the story of the highly respectable and humanity-driven Professor Arronax (Paul Lukas), his courageous and ever loyal assistant, Conseil (Peter Lorre), and a rash but heroic harpooner, named Ned Land (Kirk Douglas), and their imprisonment and adventures aboard the Nautilus, a mysterious sea-going vessel designed and helmed by the eccentric and revenge-driven Captain Nemo (James Mason).
From beginning to end, "20,000 Leagues..." is a motion picture marvel that is flawless in its attempt to relate to the audience Jules Verne's story of man's struggle against himself and the often relentless forces of nature.
The film's Oscar winning special effects are just as amazing today as they were when the film was originally released, the portrayals given by all the actors, particularly those by Kirk Douglas and James Mason, are perfect, and the musical score is superb! And who could ever forget the film's classic theme song, "Whale of a Tale", as performed by Mr. Douglas.
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is not only a must-see for all fans of both Disney and sci-fi/fantasy films, but everyone of all ages, young and old alike.
(FYI - For those who still don't know, but care, the classic "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" submarine ride has sadly been removed from both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.)
Rating:
Summary: A must see film!
Review: "20,000 Leauges Under the Sea" is a great film the entire family will enjoy. James Mason is perfectly cast as the passionate Captain Nemo. Kirk Douglas shines in the role of Ned Land. The director did a perfect job in making the film like the book and keeping the basic idea of the story intact. I would give this 20 stars if I could. I highly recommend it. It's wonderful! A real treat! I think it's one of the best science fiction stories around. It has adventure and excitement, and is such a truly entertaining film, it's one I could watch over and over and never tire. It ranks as one of my favorite all time films.
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Summary: BEST DISNEY FILM EVER MADE
Review: There are 20,000 things I like about this movie. For one, the casting is PERFECT. James Mason IS Captain Nemo. When he looks at an enemy frigate, you can see the UTTER HATRED burning in his eyes and the wicked snarl on his lips. This is one of the most believable performances I've seen. Also, I love the part where he plays TOCCATA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR by BACH. This is my favorite classical tune and it fits very nicely into the film, setting a dark mood. The film starts off in just the right place, showing the "monster" sinking a frigate. It literally starts off with a bang. Soon after, a professor and his side-kick and a harpoonist set out to sea to discover the truth about this "sea monster." When their own ship gets sunk, the truth is discovered, but the story has only begun . . . . Throughout this movie you can see all sorts of different underwater creatures. At times you almost feel like you are watching a documentary, but this is mostly due to a very Disney influence. One part that would make a good poster is where it shows the Nautilus sinking just a few dozen yards in front of a frigate. You'll know the part when you see it. Then there's the part with the squid, which looks VERY realistic. For the 1950's, they get an A+. I doubt computer graphics could do better. This is one of the few movies that PROVES that you don't have to have amazing special effects to make your movie good. Mostly what makes this movie good is the acting and storyline. This is an excellent film for ALL AGES. If you want to see a good book-to-screen translation, then start with this movie. It deserves nothing less than 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Hoakey sets, great visuals.
Review: The interior sets looked too cartoonish for this film. Also, it is rather different from the book: The Nautlius isn't destroyed by a malstrom. In the film also the ship isn't caught by an iceberg and they do not explore Atlantis. Nevertheless, the movie does have some good special effects. The squid sequence is the movie's highlight. The underwater sets are better then the interior sets. The acting is also good quality. A great film to watch with the entire family.
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