20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Review

[@Agwings1960]

In the 50's and early 60's, Disney did movies intended for children with enough depth to be enjoyed by adults. Ive never understood why 20,000 Leagues doesn't have the cult following of movies like Mary Poppins.

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Mary Poppins is not a cult film, it is widely known and beloved (across the globe), and an Oscar winner. It's probably one of the most popular and sentimental family movies ever, and arguably one of the finest musicals on film. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is more of a cult movie with a strong fan base.

[@kenburns4547]

Because it's a very boring film. The book by Jules Verne, is about a titular journey in which the sodium-powered Nautilus undergoes many adventures during its 20,000 league journey, with Nemo being essentially John Galt; these include reaching the South Pole (which Verne thought to be an icecap), getting trapped in ice, going to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, saving whales from sea-predators, fighting a shadow war, and ultimately being destroyed in the Norwegian Maelstrom. It's definitely not really for kids. The Disney film drags along like an endless Jacques Cousteau documentary, and really stretches things by claiming Nemo is a super-scientist, complete with a nuclear-powered submarine, and an island full of 1960's technology including communications-satellites. So while it's an interesting film, it's more like "Fantastic Voyage" than a typical Disney film.

[@robertashley2714]

Mary Poppins is the quintessential family movie. Anything you can sell and keep selling to kids will rake in the cash. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is a little scary and quite dark. It is not what people think of as a "Disney movie." It is not in the image that Disney is tying to cultivate today, and they aren't eager to promote it. You could show it to kids in the 1950's. Today's parents would be squeamish toward its mature themes. It does have a cult following. It frequently makes Top X Sci Fi Movies lists. It is beloved in steam punk circles, for good and obvious reasons. It deserves better than a cult following, and better treatment from the Disney corporation today.

[@kenburns4547]

@@robertashley2714 Well remember Fantastic Voyage, showed the inside of the human body, while 20,000 leagues showed life under the sea; so they were both 60's cinematic exploits of a ship into a new world to the screen. However the film clearly subverts Verne's theme. The ship used contemporary technology, not anything ridiculously advanced like nuclear submarines and satellite-dishes. Volcania was just an extinct volcano where "Nemo" built a coal-fired generator to extract sodium from seawater, which fueled the Nautilus; and the smoke just made it look like the volcano was still active, so that nobody would land there.

[@robertashley2714]

@@kenburns4547 I'm not arguing against any of that. Disney's version is what it is. As a science fiction movie it's very good, even by today's standards. By 1950's standards, it's incredible. It is an artifact of its time, i.e. the fascination with and fear of nuclear power in the 1950's. If you want a movie faithful to the book, others have done it better. But if you think Disney's version is dull, a more faithful version is more dull. Verne's book wasn't exciting unless you were interested in oceanography, and wasn't intended to be. It could be argued that it was more science than fiction when he wrote it. My main point is about the popularity of the movie. It simply cannot be compared to Mary Poppins or other Disney films that were aimed mainly at kids. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea was aimed at adults, though warm fuzzies like the pet seal were added to keep kids happy. It is a family movie, but barely. It is dark and explores mature themes. It is more comparable to Forbidden Planet than Mary Poppins.

[@williamivey5296]

I saw this film for the first time at a real movie theater in the early 1960s. Disney often re-released films on a cycle back then. I was totally blown away by it and still love it 60 years later. The other live action film I still enjoy from that period is "The Three Lives of Thomasina".

[@Voltra98]

This movie is one of those underrated Disney classics that people need to go back to. Disney should create more movies like this with new imaginative stories than rehashes we have today!

[@chevy-is-a-good-boy]

Excellent work here! Recently re-watched this film as was thoroughly impressed with the overall quality. Can't believe there's yet to be a Blu-ray release.

[@chadrasmussen6127]

You can get it on Blu Ray on the Disney movie club

[@henrykujawa4427]

@caitlyncarvalho7637 I'm afraid you're operating under a long-standing misconception. I've been researching Jules Verne recently, and ran across some surprises. One thing I learned years ago was that, as part of his obsession with history, Jules Verne based Nemo's background on a REAL-LIFE incident in which a Polish prince was betrayed by the Russians. The problem was... Russia was a big part of the buying public for Verne's publisher, and, his editor objected to this part of the novel. After arguing about it for some time, Verne threw his hands up and decided to completely REMOVE it from the novel, leaving Nemo a COMPLETE CIPHER! Arronax spoke 8 languages, yet had no idea what language Nemo & his crew were speaking among themselves. That's because they were POLISH. My father's parents came from Poland, and even I find the language INDECIPHERABLE. Years later, Verne wrote a book that was a tribute to "ROBINSON CRUSOE"... "THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND". For only the 2nd (and final) time, he got into a fight with his editor, who claimed the book was dull, and lacking. In frustration, Verne-- at a very late date in its writing-- turned it into a sequel to "20,000 LEAGUES". When I found this out, it explained so many things... like the fact that according to the dates of certain events, both stories allegedly take place AT THE SAME TIME (a detail featured in the 1916 silent film of "20,000 LEAGUES"). This is despite Nemo being portrayed as an OLD, DYING MAN, meaning the story had to take place many years after the previous novel. Also, while Russia was allies with France, France ALWAYS hated England, so making them the villains in Nemo's back-story, and making him an INDIAN Prince who took part in a failed rebellion against England, was deemed "politically correct". Thus, Nemo became Indian, even though, NOTHING about that makes sense! I much prefer Ray Harryhausen's film of "THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND" to the novel. It's a far-better story, and shows a Nemo still in fine health who's determined to help eliminate one of the causes of war, famine. And he's played by Herbert Lom-- a CZECH actor, which is a country right next to Poland. (In the Disney film, Nemo is played by an ENGLISH actor, and his enemies are clearly ENGLISH-- an odd and possibly daring move to make so soon after America was such allies with England in WW2.) The 1929 MGM film "THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND", which in no way is an adaptation of that book, is in fact a prequel to "20,000 LEAGUES". While it portrays the fictional country of "Hetvia", one look at the costumes makes it obvious the film is a thinly-disguised portrait of Russia at the time of the two 1918 revolutions. You have the Czars, the Democratics, and the criminal Bolsheviks. Someone at MGM must have known the truth about the "20,000 Leagues" novel. While "Count Andre Dakkar" (Lionel Barrymore) appears to die at the end, his chief assistant and Nemo's sister don't-- and the last time I watched, I came to believe his assistant is the one who became "Nemo" and married Dakkar's sister. Thus, the scene where James Mason describes his wife being tortured, in fact describes a scene not in Verne's novels, but in the 1929 MGM movie! Try watching the 1954 Disney film as a "SEQUEL". I have!

[@jkorshak]

Saw it first in the late 1960's as a Saturday matinee. I was 6 or 7 and totally blown away. Impressively, the film still holds up very well 50+ years later. All four of the principle actors are legends.

[@matthewwolfstein2359]

Excellent video The Cinemologists! This is one of my favorite 1950s Disney movies, simply because of how great the performances are. James Mason will always be forever associated with Captain Nemo, and it may be one of my favorites he's ever given in his whole career. Keep up the great work 👍🏻👍🏻

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

You mentioned two of my favorite live action Disney movies!! I grew up on Swiss Family Robinson, but only recently rediscovered the beauty and awesomeness of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!! ❤️❤️

[@SurlyInsomniac]

My favorite movie reviewers and one of my favorite movies. Cinemologists, you are a frustratingly rare breed on the internet; reviewers with great taste and a wisdom beyond your years. You have a childlike sincerity & enthusiasm, without resorting to being childish. My only critique is that your reviews are so few and far between (and short), but I'll take what I can get.

[@Enshohma]

I'd also give a huge shout to lesser known 1970's Disney romps like The Island on The Top of The World or One of Our Dinosaurs In Missing.

[@Cinemology101]

Thanks, Enshohma! Always look forward to seeing your comments on these reviews. We absolutely love Island at the Top of the World!

[@ThomasK96]

@@Cinemology101 as Do i. Also I think Disney had the funniest live action movies in the 70s with the Dexter Riley trilogy The Love Bug sequels One of our dinosaurs is missing Hot lead and cold feet Pete's Dragon.

[@kenburns4547]

Lesser known because they SUCKED.

[@DonLuisZavala]

Always great to see people appreciating the unique gem 20,000 Leagues is for Disney and movies in general. I just saw this movie today after I don’t know how many years/decades. One of my favorites ever.

[@freeguyeditz]

20000 leagues under the sea is a Masterpiece. I really enjoyed the movie , I knew it when they mention it in journey 2 the mysterious island.

[@simonriddick]

Amazing movie. I saw it the first time as a kid in the 80's and twice since then. I just finished watching it again just now. I have no complaints I would change nothing.

[@brettbarnett3465]

As weird as this may sound, I do want a remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Mostly for 2 reasons, due to their time, budget and technical restrictions, about half of the story was left out of the movie. There was a scene where they got trapped under the polar ice cap and nearly suffocated, there was a scene where they sailed passed an erupting underwater volcano, there was a scene where they find Atlantis, and the final scene, the Nautilus is sucked into a whirlpool and slammed into the ocean floor which causes it to split in half and probably killing everyone on board, except Ned and the others who managed to escape just in time in the lifeboat. Even if they had the technology to do those scenes, I doubt they would have had the money. And the other note, I don't think anyone can possibly top James Mason's performance as Captain Nemo, but I'm a sucker for keeping things as close to the book as possible, in which case I'd love to see an Indian actor play Captain Nemo. I wanted Irrfan Khan to play Nemo, but due to his passing, that obviously can't happen. So yeah, I DO want a remake which is closer to the book and with an Indian actor as Nemo, but, seeing what Disney has done to other remakes, I also worry what will happen if they do go through with a remake.

[@michaelnally2841]

Apparently has been developing a remake and prequel series about captain Nemo titles Natalis. Although who knows when/if it’ll come out. I honestly didn’t know about the book when I was it so was unaware the book Nemo was Indian. And I do hope we get an Indian actor as Captain Nemo. But I dunno if the original 20000 leagues would’ve as good as it was without the late James Mason as Captain Nemo.

[@henrykujawa4427]

You just reminded me... the maelstrom at the end of the novel is the SAME ONE featured in Poe's "A Descent Into The Maelstrom". It's a REAL location, ""The Corryvyecken Whirlpool"! There are several instances where Verne was knowingly paying tribute to Edgar Allan Poe. 1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JBaBs4ICQU/YUntwPH8y8I/AAAAAAAAw0A/XarlEFjWUm8YJpaz-Vm-yg9S34Mk5muEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Corryvreckan%2BWhirlpool__geograph%2Bby%2BWalter-Baxter__Wikipedia%2B%2BA.jpg

[@henrykujawa4427]

@@michaelnally2841 Nemo is NOT Indian in the novel. Verne wrote a background for him, but the entire part of the story was REMOVED because his editor felt it was "politically incorrect" to make the villains RUSSIANS. (Nemo was POLISH.)

[@michaelnally2841]

@@henrykujawa4427 correction they revealed in a sequel he was Indian

[@annamariacantamessa5358]

@@michaelnally2841 the sequel is incorrect in the cronological order of the events of the book

[@CoryTheRaven]

It's SO nice to see a review giving this movie the attention and consideration it deserves. It's a GREAT movie... My favourite live-action Disney movie, which made me very upset last year when they showed it at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood and I wasn't able to go XD

[@Xenaboy-vt3hi]

I saw this movie as a child, back in the 1960s- possibly on the "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" television show. I just watched it again a week or so ago and I was blown away at how rich it was. Having gotten used to CGI movies, I was stunned at seeing obviously real sets, scenes that looked real rather than CGI, and, most of all, originality. There was a remark made by, I think, the director, that Walt Disney was an innovator who would never make the same movie over and over just because it was very successful and he took risks, a risk that might have ended Disney Studios had "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" not been a huge success. It makes it so sad to see the no risk taking, make the same movie over and over- sometimes literally the same movie- with the same safe formula that Walt Disney's company has now descended into.

[@PrinceofArfon]

Good video! This was and is one of my favorite adventure movies, a true Disney Classic. It has a nice 2-disc DVD set that I’m happy to show to kids any chance I get.

[@aangryy3099]

just watched it. Im impressed by this masterpiece. I love the "cozyness" of the nautilus which is given by the design and the calm filming style.

[@naynaynay324]

In the short space of this vid you've managed to lift the curtain to the moviemagic that is 20000 Leagues and give newcomers an appetite for wellcrafted art, I believe. Well written, subbed.

[@morlockmeat]

Kirk Douglas was very much a Popeye character in this movie.

[@theobserver314]

My father once said that of the two characters being "related" in some way, Ned and Popeye.

[@kenburns4547]

I think he looked more like Richard Basehart's "Ishmael" from the 1953 film _Moby Dick._ But yeah, he acted like Popeye... I would LOVE to see a HISHE ending where he pops the Spinach and knocks out the submarine LOL

[@morlockmeat]

@@kenburns4547 - 🤣🤣🤣 So would I!

[@kenburns4547]

@@theobserver314 Better Kirk Douglas than Robin Williams.

[@loogoo]

In the book, Ned is also a bit of a prankster and a hot head - always trying to think of ways to escape - so the movie version is not so off base.

[@KyleCorwith]

We watched growing up and appreciate the same films, sir

[@eduardo_corrochio]

I love this movie because it is so grand and over the top and dark. Wish I could have seen it in the theater back in the day but I discovered it on TV in the 1970's in my youth (no Cinemascope, and a small TV screen ... but still a joy for a kid who adored science fiction and fantasy tales). The studio is firing on all cylinders here, and you can see every single bit of money they put into this film. For me this is the ultimate adventure movie, a feast for the eyes and ears. Disney made a really nice DVD of it in 2003 which I had to have.

[@Ray_2112]

I just discovered this movie last year and though it was hard for me to get the DMC exclusive Blu-ray in Europe (through ebay), I'm glad I spent the 35€ for it and have it in my collection now. Rewatched it again yesterday, great classic film! Really sad how the Disney company is today, at best just recycling old stuff or even ignoring old classics like this. This is definitely no obscure movie that nobody would watch today anymore, it should have a regular worldwide release along the likes of other 50s classics. Disney back then was really magic and even still when I grew up in the 90s, now the creativity is gone, they abandonned traditional animation (what made Disney big) and they even ruin some franchises from others (Star Wars)...just sad how the name Disney got more and more damaged in the last 20 years.

[@erainmartinez8175]

My Childhood is here

[@lolizorz]

Im starting to like movies from the 50s more than before.I watched Touch of evil and The Ladykillers in the past few days.I might see this one too.

[@brainpalacebroadcasting93]

I've really missed you guys, what a fantastic pick-me-up to see in the feed on a Friday morning. Never stop. - Oliver B

[@Cinemology101]

Cheers, Oli! Thanks for the kind words.

[@PaulKyriazi]

Great, concise video on the movie, Alex. I saw 'The Making of 20,000 Leagues' on Disneyland TV when I was eight and decided that night to make movies.

[@doom7ish]

Pretty good special effects.

[@ivane5110]

I really enjoyed this one at the drive-in and still can enjoy it every few years. Its also a style and era that I think the Black Hole would have been perfect to have been made in. I can even see many in this cast in it.

[@luzcameraemocao]

Una película inolvidable!

[@jeffsmith2022]

Quality, always stands the test of time, in whatever form...

[@Enshohma]

About time you guys come back! Love your show!

[@fitzdizzel48]

Hopefully you know by now, but they have released this on blu ray on the Disney movie club thing. With a beautiful, although personally some things they shouldnt have changed color grading wise, also it favors the upper right side of the dvd release slightly, im doing an indepth look into the dvd and blu ray transfers. But its been 4k remastered and honestly looks amazing. When i watched it again when they released the new transfer it was like seeing it for the first time again for me. My favorite movie of all time. I know it word for word, music cue by music cue, scene by scene. Deleted or not. Lol great video. Im glad someone else understands the importance of this movie.

[@henrykujawa4427]

I read about that! They did this stunning restoration in 2011, but then dragged their feet until 2019 before releasing it. WITHOUT any of the "extras" on the earlier DVD. I got the BLU-RAY-- and LOVE it!!! But I've become so hooked on "extras", I feel the urge to go back and buy the earlier, inferior DVD print, just to get al lthe stuff that's stupidly missing on the glorious newer edition.

[@fitzdizzel48]

@henrykujawa4427 the blu ray is superior in clarity, but that's about it. They ruined the colors, changed editing..

[@4CardsMan]

I saw this several times at various theaters, downtown at its introduction, the neighborhood theater, and the drive-in. A top-flight cast, big budget, and great story. When I recently rewatched it. I was disappointed at the slow scenes of the Nautilus moving across the frame, which now come across as filler. The early scenes of the Nautilus in attack mode are still exciting.

[@person5828]

This is my most favorite movie and I am 15

[@GreatBooksGuy]

Brilliant movie! Thank you for your commentary.

[@alansmithey6261]

Superb work here again.

[@michelchartierb.a.1066]

Beautifully written Sir. Thank you for the great content!

[@kevinclark8356]

I've only recently seen this film, and damm is it a good movie.

[@comichound]

At least it's available on Disney+...for now.

[@edorasmarauder5761]

Saw this movie last night and the squid scene was just *chefs kiss* amazing.

[@UltraTitanZ]

I’ll be coming back to watch this review once I see the movie

[@kenwaters1238]

Exceptional ! Well done, and I agree.

[@tagoldich]

Every once in a while I Google to see if this title is finally getting a blu ray release. And so I just discovered it has, but we can't have it without joining some Disney club, which means the blu ray will probably never be released any other way. I don't know what sort of commitment it would be to join the club, or what it would cost, but I wouldn't want to spend that much when I would only want this one film. It's a shame.

[@enemyofbohemia]

I did end up joining the movie club because of that release. It's actually not a bad commitment at all. You just have to buy five full priced titles over two years. So there's plenty of room to get stuff you like and I've already surpassed that. For me it's important to have hard copies of these movies, however difficult it may be to get them.

[@Mixen9408]

Cinemology 101 have you seen the animated version from the 80s?

[@michaelhunting2868]

Yea modern Disney treat things with respect

[@gordiebrooks]

I remember watching a movie as a kid about a submarine that was able to rise up out of the water and hover between magnetic rocks. I have tried to find the movie but can’t. It was the type of movie that etched that scene in my mind.

[@brasiltrip2011]

Sounds like Latitude Zero or Atragon possibly? I’d check out the trailers for those on KZbin to see if they ring a bell.

[@alandhopewell]

Definitely LATITUDE ZERO; bought it on DVD a couple months ago, as my wife had never seen it.

[@POLLOTROM]

Do you have a review of Disney's The Black Hole?

[@simonriddick]

Rip Kirk.

[@nameless5512]

Fer me, the only Live Action Disney Movie that I liked, was The Love Bug, and several other Herbie movies. Though Fully Loaded, is very debatable.

[@foxb5974]

Man would you like to see a remake

[@BrooksWachtel]

Great review. I found it odd that while you are very complimentary on the story, your failed to mention the name of the writer. For the record, Earl Felton.

[@CubanPete1990]

You know what Walt Disney should do a remake of 20 000 Leagues under the sea like with modern day stars like Jason David Frank as Ned Land Timothy Dalton as Captian Nemo Alice Eve as Professor Lisa Aronnax Danny Devito as Conseil Hugh Jackman as The first mate of the Nautilus directed by Chuck Russell Producer by James Cameron & Frank Marshall executive producer by Steven Spielberg writer by Renny harlin Sea Creature designed by Greg Nicotero from K.N.B efx special effects by Greg broadmore and Dennis Muren music by Danny elfman from Walt Disney Pictures this time it will be live action just like the original!

[@Russell_Huston]

Jackman would be a wonderful Ned Land. But I say leave it alone.

[@CubanPete1990]

@RD Huston What do you mean leave it alone?!

[@Russell_Huston]

@@CubanPete1990 Don't re-make it. That's all. But if they do, I hope they do it well. Not sure they could do the story again without being preachy, injecting contemporary issues into the 150 years ago setting. Plus........well, all I can say is.......James Mason!

[@eduardo_corrochio]

One should never remake a movie that's this brilliant. This is a rare gem of cinema. Just appreciate the original, and share it with loved ones and good friends.

[@franku4everything963]

This guy gets it.

[@K2StudioHollywood]

I went to see "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" on the big screen at the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd a few years ago, because it has always been my favorite Disney film, and I hadn't seen it on the big screen since I first saw it as a small boy. The show was sold out! The audience was filled with young and old and it captivated that modern audience just as it always has. If I were a Disney executive, I would have ordered a new version the very next day... but Disney is no longer interested in producing films for general audiences that appeal to everyone. They are only interested in pushing political ideologies and producing propaganda, masquerading as entertainment, today. Walt Disney would be devastated at what his company has become. Sadly, I believe George Lucas is already starting to see the mistake he made in selling Lucasfilm. Before he leaves this mortal coil, there will be very little left of his legacy.

[@lettuceprime4922]

I think it's a bit hard to look at modern Disney and say they aren't producing for general audiences.

[@UnityFromDiversity]

After this watch Mysterious Island.

[@hgwells1899]

Deep