- Directed by Richard Fleischer and produced by Walt Disney Productions, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a fun epic that captures the wonder of Jules Verne's source material while mercifully excising its tedious scientific descriptions of marine life. Everyone knows the basic story, namely that Captain Nemo (James Mason) pilots a futuristic undersea vessel called The Nautilus that stands in defiance of the world. His primary goal is the sinking of warships and munitions transports, including the one initially carrying Professor Aronnax (Paul Lukas), his apprentice Conseil (Peter Lorre), and the cantankerous harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas). Nemo reluctantly rescues the three men, subsequently treating them to the underwater adventure of their lives.
- More than 60 years after its release, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea remains a visual masterpiece that depicts underwater action and scenery better than most films since. The famous giant squid battle is a particular highlight that one imagines would have been mishandled with CGI anytime within the past 25 years. The film also found the quintessential Captain Nemo in James Mason, an actor who could infuse every syllable with bitter contempt for humanity when he so desired. The scenes of him playing Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" will always dominate my memories of this film. Kirk Douglas' guitar playing, various seal antics, and the electrified cannibals of New Guinea have aged less well, but none of them are annoying enough to torpedo this otherwise indomitable adventure.
