Average Rating: 
Rating: - I can't believe that nobody's reviewed his yet...
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: - MAGNIFICENT Adaptation
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:  - Lavishly produced classic of the famouus Jules verne novel.
Made with care and attention to detail, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is a recognized genre classic and boasts top-notch performances by James Mason as the mentally tortured Captain Nemo and Kirk Douglas as the happy-go-lucky Ned Land. The art direction, set design and special effects are of the highest order and hold up well today, more than 40 years after the film was made.The eye-popping wonder of the film is the submarine "Nautilus", a triumph of cinematic design. From it's rivited, faceted hull to it's alligator-like conning tower to it's well designed interior sets, the "Nautilus" is a vibrant, believable vessel that does much to suspend audience disbelief. James Mason's portrayal of the spirit-tortured Captain Nemo is one of the high points of this prolific, dignified actor's career. His enigmatic, mysterious Nemo is a driven character who is guilt stricken by his deeds but helpless in the face of the impulses that drive him to commit them. The plot is only loosely based on the Verne book and much has been deleted or changed from it, but the film makers wisely avoided the addition of a female love interest that was common to many later movie adaptations of Verne and Wells. Sadly, the VHS version is not offered in the widescreen format and it deletes the portions of the image seen at both edges of the screen. For someone who has seen the movie in a theater, this is especially noticable on the interior sets. Still, any tape version is better than none at all and the picture and sound quality are good. Perfect for family viewing, "20,000 Leagues" offers much for adults as well as children. A must-have classic.
|
