Disney's 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, from the Jules Verne classic, is highly enjoyable underseas entertainment and a parable about power in the hands of the wrong man--in this case, Captain Nemo (JAMES MASON) and his command of The Nautilaus.
When three hearty souls (KIRK DOUGLAS, PAUL LUKAS, PETER LORRE) confront his evil destruction of other ships, the tale sails into high adventure, the kind kids might love (unless jaded by too many recent computerized kid films) and adults are sure to embrace.
JAMES MASON proves to be a perfect choice as the professorial Capt. Nemo and PAUL LUKAS and PETER LORRE are satisfying in their well played co-starring roles but it's KIRK DOUGLAS who becomes the focal point of interest as the one most likely to destroy Nemo's power mad schemes. He also has a sterling song to sing ("A Whale of a Tale") early in the film, and it's one of the highlights of the entertaining story.
Best seen in widescreen version or on the big screen, it may not have the computerized finesse of some of today's big blockbusters, but it's a nostalgic treat and still amazing to watch the squid sequence done with such conviction before CGI was even invented. Great fun.
When three hearty souls (KIRK DOUGLAS, PAUL LUKAS, PETER LORRE) confront his evil destruction of other ships, the tale sails into high adventure, the kind kids might love (unless jaded by too many recent computerized kid films) and adults are sure to embrace.
JAMES MASON proves to be a perfect choice as the professorial Capt. Nemo and PAUL LUKAS and PETER LORRE are satisfying in their well played co-starring roles but it's KIRK DOUGLAS who becomes the focal point of interest as the one most likely to destroy Nemo's power mad schemes. He also has a sterling song to sing ("A Whale of a Tale") early in the film, and it's one of the highlights of the entertaining story.
Best seen in widescreen version or on the big screen, it may not have the computerized finesse of some of today's big blockbusters, but it's a nostalgic treat and still amazing to watch the squid sequence done with such conviction before CGI was even invented. Great fun.