Common Sense Note
Disney's first live-action movie imaginatively adapts Jules Verne's book. The story drags at times, and the music is a bit too cheery for an action movie, but the set designs and underwater shots are thrilling. An unstoppable monster sinking warships turns out to be a vengeful genius piloting a sophisticated submarine. The film may be too long and intense for young viewers, but older kids will enjoy the thrills of this South Seas adventure. In addition, the complexity of Captain Nemo, and the beauty of his invention will appeal to adults as well as teenagers.
Families that watch this film may want to discuss how Captain Nemo could have better directed his genius. How does each family member channel their intellectual and creative energy?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Scott G. Mignola
The visionary Jules Verne wrote about submarines and diving suits -- not to mention space travel -- back in the 19th century when it was all just science fiction. Walt Disney, a twentieth-century visionary, had his studio turn Verne's ambitious deep sea tale into the studio's first live-action feature, and the result is one heck of a family adventure movie.
Professor Aronnax boards an American frigate intending to put to rest rumors that an enormous sea creature is destroying ships throughout the South Seas. His efforts are dashed when the vessel is attacked and only he, his apprentice Conseil (Peter Lorre), and hot-tempered harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas) survive.
The three find themselves not in the belly of the beast, but onboard the Nautilus, an impressive submarine created by Captain Nemo (James Mason) solely to sink ships bearing weapons of destruction. Blind to the hypocrisy of his acts, Nemo takes Aronnax and company with him on his murderous crusade, but leaves his guests no choice but to escape the Nautilus before its captain takes them all to a watery grave.
Captain Nemo's pet seal, the run-in with cannibals, and the stormy tussle with a giant squid will have every 10-year-old captivated. Best of all is Nemo's creation, the Nautilus, a beautifully designed submarine with all of the gothic trimmings, including an imposing pipe organ that plays Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor." The sleek metal tub steals the show from human stars James Mason and Kirk Douglas. This 1954 release won Academy Awards for Art Direction and Special Effects.
Like Captain Ahab of Moby Dick, Captain Nemo is a hate-fueled dynamo, a wayward man clouded by revenge. While his behavior is questionable and may be too confusing to young children, families might have fun discussing how the character might have better directed his genius.
For the Verne-hungry kid, there's also the little-known Mysterious Island, based on another Jules Verne novel, loaded with fun effects by the king of stop-motion, Ray Harryhausen. Lovers of the film may want to read Jules Verne's fiction, as well.
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ViolenceSome fist fighting and shooting. Axes and harpoons make fish bait of a giant squid. Cannibals attack the crew. Exploding and sinking ships. |
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Social BehaviorGuests on the Nautilus recognize its captain's brilliant scientific achievement but question his extreme methods, which include murder. Electrocution of cannibal natives is played for comic effect. |
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