20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [1954] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets, 20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water and deservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. --Doug Thomas

Underwater photography was hardly new in 1954, but never had it been used so extensively nor to such visually beautiful effect, and the art designs--particularly those for the Nautilus--are justly celebrated. But for all its beauty, it is the performances which make the film work. James Mason does not merely play Nemo, he seems to be Nemo; after seeing his performance it is impossible to imagine any other actor in the role. Paul Lukas adds yet another brilliantly understated performance to his memorable career, and while Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre are hardly the Ned Land and Conseil of the Verne novel they have surprising chemistry and lend the film considerable dash.

At the time of its release, LEAGUES was the single most expensive motion picture ever made (ironically it would loose that dubious distinction later that same year to yet another film featuring James Mason: A STAR IS BORN), and every penny of the money spent shows in the onscreen result. While many of Disney's live-action films are fondly recalled, few have had enduring fame, much less claim to status as art--but LEAGUES is the exception, and although the episodic nature of the story seems a shade languid from time to time it remains both a landmark and one of the most influential films of its decade. Truly enjoyable from start to finish.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer


I love this film!!!   October 16, 2004
Gavin Moore (Gateshead. England)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

One of a handful of films I remember watching when I was younger, I decided to buy it on video a couple of years ago and found out that I still really liked this film! So I bought it again recently on DVD as I liked it so much! There are some nice extras this time! Such as a tour of the Nautilus, a documentary of the Humbolt Squid... and more.

Anyway, I remember being mesmerised by the site of the Nautilus, what an evil looking machine! I loved the design of it! '20,000 Leagues under the Sea' has so much to offer in the way of action comedy, imagination and story.
One of many movies portraying the genius of Jules Verne :) Buy the film, buy the book!


High adventure on and under the high seas   December 1, 2004
Christian McCallister (The waters of the Great Lakes)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

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!


It will still take your breath away   August 30, 2004
Michael Bo
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Today, 50 years after the fact, Disney's Jules Verne epic will still take your breath away, as this luxurious new one-disc edition amply proves. This edition has the warm, deep colours preserved and is full of insightful extras.

I am a lukewarm sort of fan of the Ray Harryhausen scifi epic B-movies of the 60s, which is to say, I applaud what they aim to do and the sheer fun they had doing it. With Disney's '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' we're in another realm altogether, the realm of big bucks and limitless ambition, and every cent of it shows on the screen. Today, obviously, they would film the climactic battle with the giant squid with ample use of CGI, which in my mind only serves to make things look artificial, and they would get nowhere near the dynamics and energy that exudes from this film.

James Mason's portrait of the desillusioned idealist Captain Nemo has well-deserved classic status, but too little has been made of Kirk Douglas's cheeky and heroic harpooner, and I just love his duet with the seal!