ALL SCI-FI

Bud Brewster · Last edited by Bud Brewster on Wed Jun 15, 2022 2:46 pm; edited 5 times in total

There's certainly no shortage of colorful characters in this equally colorful tale of adventure, romance, and world conquest.

Sean Connery leads an all-star cast on a whirlwind tour of the globe, spanning several continents in a variety of remarkable steampunk vehicles.

I like everything about it except the weird scenes on the upper deck of the Nautilus which were shot on a fixed set right on the beach, so the ocean could serve as the background.

That's all well and good, but the film frequently cuts to wide shots that show the submarine racing along the surface at about 60 mph, and then right back to closeups of the people on the deck. The motionless ocean in the background becomes an unintentional joke. ("Hey, they stopped!" — "Hey, they're going again!")

This is one of those movies with glaring flaws that mar the viewing experience the first time you see it, but after you've decided to forgive it for lapses in intelligence you enjoy the hell out of it when viewed again later.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

trekriffic · Starship Navigator Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 593

I liked the whole steampunk aspect of this movie. Loved the vehicles. Wave issued kits of both the Nemo-mobile and the Nautilus:

Both are out of production now.

Pow · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:12 am Post subject:

Darn fun movie. Fantastic to see all these legendary characters assembled as a superhero team on an adventure.

Yes, huge liberties were taken with this film compared to the astounding & highly praised graphic novel. And the Nautilus should not be the size of an aircraft carrier & then able to navigate the narrow canals of Venice.

Mr. Hyde is the Hulk — which is totally unlike his description in the classic RLS novel. But it remains an enjoyable film.

Loved to have seen some sequels with new members such as Lord Greystoke join up.
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trekriffic · Starship Navigator Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 593

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

trekriffic · Starship Navigator Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 593

Rocky Jones · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:21 pm Post subject:

I thought I was about the only person who didn't despise this movie. It had obvious technical flaws, but I thought it was kind of fun. I think it must be about the last time Sean Connery ever starred in a heroic lead, too. I recall from an interview at the time of LOEG's release him saying something to the effect that he'd turned down Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings because he didn't understand them. He didn't understand this one either, really, but apparently took it because he was missing out on everything. I thought he came off well in it, though.

Pow · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 9:31 pm Post subject:

In the excellent graphic novels, Fu Man Chu is the villain, not Professor Moriarty.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 10:56 pm Post subject:

They could have battled Fu in the sequel if enough people had ponied up the price of a theater ticket and dangled the money carrot in front of the folks who made the movie.

Ah well . . .
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Krel · Guest

Pow · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:13 am Post subject:

If James Mason had been unavailable to portray Captain Nemo in the Disney movie, I always thought that one of my very favorite actors, Errol Flynn, would have done a terrific job in that role.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hmmm . . . not sure that would have worked for me. Flynn was always best when he was lighthearted and charming. The brooding emotional pain of Captain Nemo doesn't seem to fit well with that.

But for the life of me, I can't think of a single actor to suggest as an alternative for Captain Nemo. Somebody help me out here! Shocked

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:53 pm Post subject:

Have to respectfully disagree regarding Errol. He'd have made a great Nemo.

Flynn was a fine actor that Warner Brothers never fully utilized. He was promoted as the romantic swashbuckler hero. That's what made the studio money, so they were fixed on only allowing Flynn to essay those kind of roles with only rare excursions into comedy or any parts with more depth.

Other possible Nemos: Vincent Price, Ronald Coleman, Frederick March, Spencer Tracy, Tyrone Power.

Krel · Guest

I remember that when the movie came out, a reviewer pointed out that Tom Sawyer would have actually been older than Alan Quartermain.

David.

scotpens · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:50 pm Post subject: