20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Special Edition) Reviews

• Superior DVD Package of a Memorable Film

  
  By ACIBQ6BQ6AWEV on 2004-01-26
  Loosely based on the celebrated novel by Jules Verne and set in the late 19th Century, LEAGUES offers the story of Professor Arronax (Paul Lukas), his assistant Conseil (Peter Lorre), and harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas), who are coaxed by the United States government to aid in the search for a sea monster said to be terrorizing shipping lanes. But the monster is not of flesh and blood, and soon the three find themselves in the hands of the mysterious Captain Nemo (James Mason) as prisoners aboard the Nautilus--a fully functional submarine capable of ramming ships and sending them to the ocean floor.

  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
  
  

• An amazing special edition of a great classic!

  
  By A1GQQFTPA23Z1O on 2004-10-02
  Ever since I was a child, no other Disney film has captivated me quite like this classic. In my opinion this is one of James Mason's best performances (along with "Odd Man Out") & Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre, & Paul Lukas are perfectly cast. Even after 50 years, the special effects are wonderful. I was so excited when this dvd was released because my old vhs copy was worn out. The special features on this dvd are amazing & I've never seen so many documentaries on a special edition before. This is like a "Criterion Collection" dvd of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" at half the cost! The movie has been beautifully restored & you simply won't find a better Disney classic anywhere. I recommend you buy this soon before Disney puts it in their freekin' vault!
  
  

• A Great DVD of a Great Film

  
  By A1H3ZATBDMOJ6Z on 2004-05-28
  Like many of the other reviewers of this movie, I'm a pre-boomer who was dazzled by the film as a child. Somewhere in my aging mom's attic, I have a few bolts (painted wood) from the movie set of the Nautilus, which I "borrowed" from one of the Disney properties as a kid nearly a half century ago. I remember taking a bus from LA to Burbank to stare through the slats of the fence in the back lot of the Disney Studios and seeing a partial model of the Nautilus, perhaps 1/3 scale, tossed in a corner like so much debris. What I would have given to be able to drag that model home.

  When I viewed the VHS version of this film a couple of years ago, I was bitterly disappointed by the poor quality which made the watching experience actually painful to a fan like me. But, let me tell you, this DVD is as thrilling as the VHS was painful. This fully-restored version of the film comes roaring back to life in all of its glory and then some. It's the best film restoration these old eyes have ever beheld. Watched on a state-of-the-art widescreen TV, this is every bit the experience it was in the '50's and I think it's wonderful that this great film is now preserved for the ages, just as it was when it was first released.

  Is this a perfect movie? No. Even as a kid, I noticed that the background music was too cheesy, that Kirk Douglas's songs seemed gratuitous, that the fish swimming outside the large porthole were cartoonish, and that the electrically-illuminated eye of the Giant Squid made an otherwise perfect special effect look a bit fake. I'm just as puzzled by those weaknesses today as I was then, especially since all other aspects of the film, including the numerous, Oscar-winning special effects involving the Nautilus, are masterful. But no movie is perfect and this movie, minor warts and all, is nothing less than a memorial to the genius of Disney, the acting of James Mason, the passion of the Disney staff, and the vision of Jules Verne.
  
  

• All this will one day come to pass...

  
  By A3UA40JOD3BE1M on 2003-05-27
  "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" is, IMHO, one of the greatest Science Fantasy's ever brought to the silver screen, and the one true unquestionable masterpiece from the "House of Mouse!" Being the wrong side of 40, "20,000 Leagues" is one of my earliest cinematic memories, and watching this superb Disney DVD - in wide screen for only the first time since I saw it as a child! - brought the magic of those long ago years flooding back in an instant!

  The Amazon review above will give you the bare bones of the story; a terrible "sea monster" - all glowing eyes and "breath like a furnace!" - is sinking ships just after the end of the American Civil War. Things have gotten so bad that maritime trade is being crippled; ships can't sail without a crew, the crews themselves having deserted in fear of the "monster." Almost in desperation, the authorities organize a hunt for the creature, and invite the famed oceanographer, "Professor Arronax," and his research assistant "Conseil," along, on a US warship, to lend the expedition scientific gravitas. Also along for the ride is a fearless harpooner, "Ned Land," looking for adventure, and the rewards of being the man who kills the "monster."

  After more than a month at sea, and with no sighting of anything unusual, they are about to head for home when they see a ship, some miles distant, explode with enormous force. They race to the spot and arrive in time to see the vessel slipping beneath the waves with all hands. A lookout sees the creature in the distance, moving away from the area; they fire on it and it turns towards them. Slicing through the waves, the creature races towards its attackers with a hellish shriek, its eyes alight, just as the stories said, with an unearthly glow. Panic ensues on the ship, the gunner's fire repeatedly, but cannot find their range; the creature is covering the distance between them at incredible speed!

  The resulting impact is shattering; Arronax, Conseil, and Land, are hurled into the sea, where they are separated. Arronax and Conseil watch helplessly as the crippled warship limps away into the distance, listing badly. After hours in the water, and completely lost in a fogbank, Arronax and Conseil come across the "monster" floating on the surface. They soon discover that what they thought was a supernatural beast, is, in fact, a fantastic vessel, a "sub-marine boat," capable of travel beneath the surface of the sea.

  Seemingly deserted, they enter the ship and start to explore, soon to be joined by Ned Land, who paddles into view on an upturned skiff. From a massive view port, they see the crew outside the ship working on the seabed; once the crew returns, the three friends are quickly apprehended... now their adventure, and ours, is about to REALLY begin!

  The ship they are on is called the "Nautilus," a technological wonderland, it's commanded by "Captain Nemo;" his crew, all of them to a man, absolutely loyal. The Captain has scant time for Conseil, and even less for Land, but he is pleased to meet the renowned Pierre Arronax, a man he sees, at least as far as their mutual fascination for the sea is concerned, as a kindred spirit. Nemo takes Arronax under his wing, slowly revealing to him the secrets of the deep through which they travel, and the fantastical secrets of the Nautilus itself. Nemo also shares his own terrible secrets with the oceanographer, experiences that have shaped him, and driven both him, and his crew, to disown any allegiances to any and all terrestrial governments and flags.

  Nemo is portrayed by James Mason in a magnificently layered, complex performance. At first cold, austere, dark, and brooding, Mason slowly reveals the tortured soul of the man, driven by his own demons to do what he knows are terrible things, for, he hopes, the betterment of mankind. Neither hero nor villain, Mason's performance is beautifully nuanced, and his final scenes are especially moving.

  The three other central characters are also played to perfection, Kirk Douglas, especially, has a blast with Ned Land, one moment slap-sticking his way through his song, "A Whale of a Tale," the next butting heads with Nemo, and plotting escape. Peter Lorre, as Conseil, is the perfect foil to Douglas' larger than life character, and the two of them seemed to have formed a genuine friendship on the set, something which shows through in the "hair" scenes... you'll know them when you see them! Paul Lukas is pitch perfect as Professor Arronax, all at once in thrall to Nemo's genius, but at the same time horrified by the terrible deeds he's capable of. And a final word has to go to the `biggest' character of all, the Nautilus itself; a gothic masterpiece, it's quite simply the greatest fantasy vehicle ever created for the silver screen... EVER! The Nautilus departs quite extensively from Verne's description, but, just like the film itself, it's completely within the spirit of the original story, more so than just about any film adaptation of classic Science Fantasy that I can think of!

  One minor gripe, Nemo, as I have said before, is an incredibly complex character, so I was saddened to see on the back of the DVD case, the following; "...can the captive crew (Arronax etc) expose his (Nemo's) evil plan before he destroys the world?" After all that Disney has done to make this a landmark release, with hours of extras, including an incredible 90 minute(!) "making of" featurette, it's such a shame that Nemo is misrepresented so crudely.

  Almost half a century(!) later, this is still Disney's crowning glory, and a glowing testament to visionary film making... HIGHLY recommended!!!
  
  

• Lavishly produced classic of the famouus Jules verne novel.

  
  By on 1999-03-17
  Made with care and attention to detail, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is a recognized genre classic and boasts top-notch performances by James Mason as the mentally tortured Captain Nemo and Kirk Douglas as the happy-go-lucky Ned Land. The art direction, set design and special effects are of the highest order and hold up well today, more than 40 years after the film was made.

  The eye-popping wonder of the film is the submarine "Nautilus", a triumph of cinematic design. From it's rivited, faceted hull to it's alligator-like conning tower to it's well designed interior sets, the "Nautilus" is a vibrant, believable vessel that does much to suspend audience disbelief.

  James Mason's portrayal of the spirit-tortured Captain Nemo is one of the high points of this prolific, dignified actor's career. His enigmatic, mysterious Nemo is a driven character who is guilt stricken by his deeds but helpless in the face of the impulses that drive him to commit them.

  The plot is only loosely based on the Verne book and much has been deleted or changed from it, but the film makers wisely avoided the addition of a female love interest that was common to many later movie adaptations of Verne and Wells.

  Sadly, the VHS version is not offered in the widescreen format and it deletes the portions of the image seen at both edges of the screen. For someone who has seen the movie in a theater, this is especially noticable on the interior sets. Still, any tape version is better than none at all and the picture and sound quality are good.

  Perfect for family viewing, "20,000 Leagues" offers much for adults as well as children. A must-have classic.
  
  

• Here's a story about how good this film is
  By on 2003-03-18
  First off, I'll say that this is BY FAR the best live-action film Disney ever produced. None of the irritating condescension that characterizes so many Disney films. No -- this film delivers the goods.

  And my story...?

  I first saw the film on television as a child. But about ten years ago, I was lucky enough to see the film on the big screen, at a matinee showing in a small-town community theater. The theater was jam-packed with children, ages ranging from about 5 to 10. The kids were chattering like crazy -- the theater was filled with noise. Even when the film started, the kids kept talking.

  But very slowly, as the minutes passed, the kids got quieter. And quieter.

  Late in the film, when we're moving into the final explosive climax, the Nautilus rams a warship that has been hunting it. The protagonists -- Aronax, Conseil, and Ned Land -- rush to the sub's giant iris window. The iris opens onto an underwater vista -- to reveal, in the murky blue distance, the warship sinking awesomely, majestically, down to the bottom of the sea -- flames and smoke issuing from its still-burning interior. We can hear the muffled roar of its descent.

  At that moment in the film, I realized that the audience had become completely silent. They were riveted and awestruck.

  That, my friends, is great storytelling. Any film that can cause an entire theater-full of 5-10-year-olds to become completely silent, totally rapt with attention, is worthy of praise.

  As far as I'm concerned, this film is the best thing Disney ever did.
  
  

• DISNEY DVD BACK IN FORM WITH 20,000 LEAGUES
  By A1M9DQDGE07Q0U on 2003-05-21
  Based on the immortal book by Jules Verne, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" is the tale of three castaways, (a stuffy professor {Paul Lukas}, his meager assistant {Peter Lorre} and a salty harpooner {Kirk Douglas})who stumble across the Nautilus, a revolutionary submarine operated under the deadly influences of Captain Nemo (James Mason). This was Walt Disney's first extremely expensive, Cinemascope, live action feature film and with its launch, the Disney Studio legacy would never be the same. The special effects are masterfully undertaken, for the most part, holding their own with the best done today, and there is much to be admired in the noble handling of the subject and charaters. This is, in point of fact, a children's classic made more for adults than children, with that added magical spark destined to ignite the child within us all.
  THE TRANSFER: The staff at Disney ought to give each other a well deserved pat on the back. This DVD is simply gorgeous. Yes, the color scheme is muted, with flesh tones that appear rather on the bland side, but these are shortcomings based in the original color negative and should not be criticized on this DVD.
  The image quality throughout is smooth and textured with fine details and wonderfully strong contrast and black levels. Edge enhancement and pixelization are non-existent. Shimmering is only a minor concern and infrequent. Film grain is practically non-existent. The 5.1 remastered audio effort astounds in both its clarity and spread.
  EXTRAS: Where to begin. Blow me down, there's just too, too many to talk about. Here are the highlights: a very fine making-of documentary, the original octopus fight sequence against a sunset, some wonderful out-takes and a really fine gallery of stills. As I say, these are just highlights. There's plenty more to shiver your timbers on this 2-disc set.
  BOTTOM LINE: Don't walk - run to your video retailer and snatch up this classic film. It's absolutely essential to the library of any one calling themselves a film buff.
  
  
• Fantastic Two-Disc DVD!! One of the very best I own!
  By APM06HT7JIPZ5 on 2003-08-16
  Unfortunately for me, I think this is one of those movies where you had to grow up with it in order to truly LOVE it. I didn't grow up with it. That said, it's most definitely a great movie, and a classic in every sense. For a while, it was the most expensive movie ever made, and the first-ever Disney film in Cinemascope. It clearly shows, as the production design is masterful, and the wide(REALLY WIDE)screen presentation takes it to the very max and uses every oppurtunity available. The cast was and still is first-rate, too. Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre form a very believable and amusing pair. But James Mason steals the show, making for a better Captain Nemo than anyone could ever have dreamed. The music perfectly matches the mood of the film, as well. Just about everything in this film shows how much love and effort went into it. In short, it's a masterpiece of the cinema, one of the most groundbreaking movies ever made, and forms a respectable duo with the other classic Jules Verne adaptation of the 50s, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (also starring James Mason).

  For any movie made within the last decade, the transfer is great. For a movie made in 1954, it's truly unbelievable! This is one DVD where when they say "Fully-Restored", they really mean it! The sound is incredibly clear, as well.

  But the true reason to buy this Special Edition DVD is for the second disc jam-packed full of extraordinary extras. The 90 minute making-of documentary is one of the best ever produced, covering every aspect of the film's production in a manner that is both fun and fascinating. Also of great interest is the lost "Sunset Squid" sequence, which is the original giant squid battle as it was first filmed. When compared to what's actually in the film, the difference is astonishing! What's shown here is so incredibly fake that it realy is hillarious! Aside from these two features, there are just so many other extras it would be futile to attempt to list them all here. You have to buy the DVD to discover the extent of it all, and trust me: you will be stunned.

  CONCLUSION: For any respectable fan of classics, science-fiction, fantasy, or Disney adventures (or all four combined), you should be ashamed to not own this ground-breaking DVD experience. I would have gladly spent more $! Now how many times can you hear someone say that and truly mean it?
  
  

• "Wonders that defy my powers of description..."
  By AD2DDHLD6FRFM on 2004-10-15
  Just after the Civil War,a ship is sent to investigate mysterious sinkings by a "Sea Monster(in reality, an advanced submarine)". The ship is attacked by the submarine Nautilus, commanded by Capt. Nemo. The redoubtable Capt. Nemo destroys ammunition cargo ships to satisfy his anti-war agenda. Capt. Nemo: "Think of it. On the surface there is hunger and fear. Men still exercise unjust laws. They fight, tear one another to pieces. A mere few feet beneath the waves their reign ceases, their evil drowns. Here on the ocean floor is the only independence. Here I am free!" Based on Jules Verne's 1870 novel, 2-time Academy-Award-winner "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is Walt Disney's 1954 Technicolor Cinemascope triumph. Directed by Richard Fleischer, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was filmed in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Hollywood. It features an international cast of screen legends including Oscar winner Paul Lukas, Kirk Douglas, James Mason, and Peter Lorre. This dual-disc DVD is a rich anamorphic transfer, with an eye-popping 2.55:1 aspect ratio and a newly remastered, THX-enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. The movie has commentary featuring film historian Rudy Behlmer, and a 97-minute documentary with interviews with 88-year-old Kirk Douglas. There's more! There are five more featurettes, a Donald Duck cartoon, two galleries of production stills, unused undersea animation, audio clips, bio/filmographies, and literally an entire sea-chest more of extras and goodies. The documentary contains one error. Disney's true first all-live-action feature was 1950's "Treasure Island". In "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", James Mason is simply electric as the enigmatic anti-hero Nemo; a lonely madman whose only cause is vengance. Curiously, the Greek word for Nemo is "no one". They don't make movies like this anymore. Maybe they never did...
  
  
• A Must-See!
  By on 2005-02-27
  I'm (...), and this is one of my most favorite movies ever!!! I would rate this movie PG because some scenes may be disturbing to young children, but kids 8+ (especially little boys) could probably handle it. The giant squid scene, for example, is quite dramatic; featuring a HUGE black squid attacking the submarine and Captain Nemo narrowly escaping death. Also, an island scene features a tribe of armed natives chasing Ned Land to the sea. Still, it's certainly a thriller; be sure to watch it at night. :) The main actors (Peter Lorre, Paul Lucas, James Mason, and of course, Kirk Douglas) were terrific and "cut out" for the parts of Conseil, Professor Aronnax, Captain Nemo, and Ned Land. The movie is a bit long, but no matter; an audience would have a hard time getting bored.
  A few quotes:
  
  (at dinner table in the submarine with the Captain)
  
  Captain Nemo: Ah, gentlemen! Be seated, please. Your clothes are being dried and will be returned to you shortly; in the mean time resort yourselves to my humble hospitality.
  
  Ned Land: Humble you call it! Yeah, you do quite well for yourself, mate!
  
  Captain Nemo: You may call me "Captain Nemo."
  
  Professor: I'd like to express our gratitude, Captain. We are grateful to be alive.
  
  Captain: I want none of your gratitude. You're all under the strictest probation. And I advise you not to attempt an escape. You understand your position?
  
  Ned: Well, I don't know, Captain. A prisoner has a right to escape, hasn't he?
  
  Captain: That is correct.
  
  Ned: And a guest don't need to! Say, I guess that makes us a little bit of both, huh? (laughs)
  
  (A little later)
  
  Conseil: This food is delicious, isn't it, Professor?
  
  Professor: Oh, very good! Never tasted better!
  
  Captain: We flavor the sea-taste. That is fille of seasnake.
  
  Conseil puts down fork: I suppose, this is not lamb then?
  
  Captain: That is bisquit of blowfish with seasquirt dressing, basted in barnacles
  
  (Ned stops eating)
  
  Anyway, an extremely enjoyable movie. :)
  
  
• Ambitious Verne Adaptation
  By A2AOZQ3WTNVVOK on 2007-02-11
  Far more people have seen the 1954 Disney production of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" than have seen any other version of the film or have read the unabridged version of the book. This movie is well worth the attention it has received. The movie won two Oscars, had international movie stars, and featured incredible special effects.
  
  Ships are sinking for unknown reasons in 1868. The United States sends Navy ships to determine the cause of the sinking, taking along Professor Pierre Arronax (Paul Lukas, "55 Days in Peking," "Fun in Acapulco" and more than 100 other movie and television appearances), his assistant Conseil (Peter Lorre, "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Around the World in 80 Days," and more than 100 other movie and television appearances), and seaman Ned Land (Kirk Douglas, who was a star well before his appearance in this movie). After a lengthy period of sea, it appears that the creature causing all the ships to sink is not going to appear. Then the crew of the ship sees an explosion and a ship sinks. The Navy ship investigates, but a fearsome monster attacks the ship. Dr. Arronax, Conseil and Land end up overboard.
  
  Dr. Arronax and Conseil discover a mysterious shape in the mist. The shape turns out to be a fantastic ship. Ned Land also discovers the ship, and the trio searches the ship for supplies so they can get away from the ship. Before the three can escape, crew members spot and capture them. Thus begins an incredible adventure.
  
  James Mason plays Captain Nemo phenomenally well. Mason is brooding and haunted in this role, and performs so well that Mason seems to become Nemo. James Mason remains the person most identified with Captain Nemo.
  
  The two features of this movie that remain icons of the film are the submarine Nautilus and the squid that attacks it. The Nautilus is rendered in incredible detail. The submarine seems to borrow a lot from genuine ships, with a fair amount of inspiration from nuclear power. The squid scene was shot during a storm at night to improve the visual appearance of the squid. The idea worked. The squid scenes still look incredibly good.
  
  This two disk set is a treasure trove of features surrounding the movie. I am usually ambivalent about extra features, but and avid fan will find many features interesting. Most of the features are worth watching, but "Monsters of the Deep," the "making of" feature, and the Humboldt squid feature were memorable. The previously unseen sunset squid sequence is also included, and a viewer can easily see why Disney replaced this sequence.
  
  Though some of the scenes are slightly intense, particularly the squid sequence, this movie is rated G and I believe that this movie is a great family movie.
  
  "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" remains one of Disney's best films. It was one of the most expensive films in history at that time. Most of the actors were well established stars. The special effects were state-of-the-art. Fans of Jules Vernes, James Mason, Disney live action adventure films and fans of good movies will want this movie for their home library.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
  
• Before "Wild, Wild West"
  By A1TK6R2JSC97HL on 2002-08-13
  Probably the greatest movie (IMNSHO) ever to come out of the house that Mouse built. Though based on the classic Verne novel, "20K" takes a different direction from the book. As in the original book, set shortly after the Civil War, the famed marine biologist Professor Aronax and his faithful aide, Conseil (Peter Lorre) embark on a global study of the oceans, hot on the trail of a mysterious monster that has been poking triangle-shaped holes in the sides of ships. Aboard the USS Lincoln, they meet Ned Land, a strong-willed whale hunter eager harpoon the mysterious beast. When the Lincoln is instead herself attacked, Land, Conseil and the Prof find themselves adrift at sea, eventually coming upon the iron-plated sin of the monster, which ofcourse is really a submarine ship (unheard of in those days) under the command of the enigmatic Captain Nemo. A genius served by a loyal crew of outcasts, and owing no loyalty to any country, Nemo stalks their ships. In both film and book, Nemo (whose name means "no man" in latin) is tortured by some terrible secret. Professor Aronax, in thrall to Nemo's genius and the secrets his fantastic submarine have revealed, loyally follows the captain, though not so closely that he can't see the depth of Nemo's pain. Ned Land, probably because of his casting, is a much more significant character here, playing the brawn counterpoint to James Mason's cool Nemo.

  The flick steers a different course from there. While Verne was fastidious to bring the fantastic Nautilus into the realm of possibility - carefully documenting its dimensions, its compartments and the science behind its propulsion (harvesting electricity from the sea using elements commonly found in sea water), the film hints at a more seductive possibility (with the professor witnessing an incredible fire burning inside of a propulsion unit deep within the Nautilus, and also climaxing with the Captain's mysterious island being wiped out by a familiar looking mushroom cloud). James Mason's Nemo isn't as specific with his facts as Verne's, and his character hints instead at the many scars he's endured. The other altered character is the Nautilus itself. Verne probably conceived the Nautilus as some hopped up hybrid of two legendary confederate warships - the Hunley and the Virginia - essentially a 19th century approximation of the WWII submarine. Disney's ship is wonder in its own right - a beautiful if terrifying monster that matches its creator in genius and pain, and wonderfully matching the Victorian age in which it was built. "20K" single-handedly spurred a run of movie makers onto works of Verne and HG Wells - offering tantalizing if improbable prospects that industrious men of the 19th century invented airplanes, submarines, nuclear power and interplanetary travel. Only this film realized the promise of that genre with its combination of wit, great performances and even a deeper, if more obscure vision of science. And, though it often sounds like a throwaway line in other, lesser films, this really is a great film for the whole family.
  
  

• The best Disney movie ever... and a DVD to match it!
  By A376UHS8GODI8W on 2004-04-18
  Finally! The definitive edition of a Jules Verne classic brought back in all its pomp and glory. The price, for once, is right.

  I remember it when it first was released in Europe, and I can safely say that this version beats even that showing back then.

  Extremely clear image, stupendous surround sound, make this a must have in the most absolute way.

  Forget all the other versions ever made. This remains THE classic of them all!

  Forget the dated special effects which, by the way, you may not even notice, since the story is so gripping and fast paced, that you may not even realize they are.

  James Mason gives a wonderful portrayal of Captain Nemo. One of his best roles, together with Fieldmarshal Rommel in "The Desert Fox", Cicero in "Five Fingers" and Professor Arronax in "Journey to the Center of the Earth" of about the same period.
  Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre form a perfect if not odd comical duo, to ease the tension of the story.

  The score is beautifully remastered and brings you immediately back to those long bygone days of great moviemaking.

  I won't be long reviewing this movie, since many others before me, have already praised it and described it in detail.

  I can only say, buy it, buy it, buy it!

  Oh, and by the way, don't forget about another Jules Verne classic coming out soon on DVD and in Widescreen:
  "Around the World in 80 Days".
  That's another "absolutely must have".

  In the meanwhile, have you checked on "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
  Do you have it on your DVD shelf?
  No?
  Shame on you...
  Go and get it fast.
  It's been remastered and it's a worthy companion to the other two Jules Verne movies.
  So, what are you waiting for?
  
  

• Arronax Redux
  By AGKPTMTR3UX1R on 2007-08-26
  20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA was the most expensive movie ever filmed at the time of its 1954 release. A great adaptation of Jules Verne's surprisingly prescient 19th Century novel, LEAGUES stars James Mason as the cultured, world-weary cynical genius Captain Nemo, designer and builder of the nuclear submarine "Nautilus." The cast is rounded out by Kirk Douglas as macho harpooner Ned Land, Paul Lukas as Professor Arronax, and Peter Lorre as Conseil, all of whom have been taken prisoner by the half-mad Nemo.
  
  James Mason is perfect as Nemo. A romanticist and a scientist, Mason's Captain Nemo is brother to Walter Pidgeon's Doctor Morbius of FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956). Nemo, the custodian of arcane secret knowledge, has lost faith in humanity, and has isolated himself aboard his self-sustaining leviathan-like submarine. Half Cutty Sark and half Martian spacecraft (the set design is very reminiscent of George Pal's 1953 WAR OF THE WORLDS), the "Nautilus" boasts a library full of classics, a Grand Saloon full of art masterpieces, and a full-sized pipe organ upon which Nemo plays Debussy's "La Mer" all day long.
  
  Without a hope for humanity, Nemo's own humanity is hopelessly stunted. He routinely attacks ships of all types, sinking them with abandon, and putting surviving sailors to death. Although he briefly considers sending Arronax back to the family of nations with the news of his many discoveries, his innate cynicism overtakes him.
  
  Nemo and his ship are attacked by a giant squid in a classic film sequence. It is the unpolished, ill-regarded Ned Land, whom Nemo despises, who saves him. In the end, Land's efforts come to naught as Nemo takes his secrets to a watery grave.
  
  In this amazingly memorable film, Disney literally spared no expense in providing the viewer with gorgeous and never-before-attempted underwater photography sequences, with a fascinating rendering of the "Nautilus," with an adapted storyline which still holds its own 53 years later, and with a rock solid cast.
  
  This is GREAT family entertainment.
  
  
• MAGNIFICENT Adaptation
  By A2HYKU8KGHL1SR on 2000-07-26
  Walt Disney's 1st live-action adventure film is still among thestudio's best! The basis of the novel is intact, even if half ismissing (the scientific details, the sunken city of Atlantis). The Nautilus is PERFECT; one wishes Charles Schneer had borrowed it when HE filmed the sequel. After a huge build-up, the long tracking shot where you finally see the entire vessel is almost identical to the unveiling of Darth Vader's flagship in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! Disney made it more of a "family" film, with humor, a bit of music, and a trained seal! James Mason brought much more drama and personality to the main character than had originally existed in the book. Nemo was a total cipher in the novel, as Verne never revealed his background until the latter portion of THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, and the details seen here completely contradict the author's vision. In fact, the sequence in which Nemo describes what happened to his family (CUT whenever this was run on the Disney TV show!) seems to have been lifted from the 1929 silent film, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND! In spite of the changes, this nevertheless remains one of the better, and more accurate, of all the Verne film adaptations.
  
  
• Disney's 20,000 Leagues is better than ever!
  By A2KM8JRRIQRTL4 on 2003-05-22
  If you're as big a fan of Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as I am then you'll consider this DVD money well spent. This DVD is worth every penny and more considering all the extras Disney included. First off- this is the best print I've ever seen- Disney has remastered the film and it looks brand-new. Vivid colors, sharp details, deep blacks-the film never looked better. The sound is remastered too- the improvements are subtle, but very good. The real meat though is the extras- Disney has found footage that was thought lost forever- and it's a joy to behold. The legendary original "Sunset Squid" fight is here, edited to the film's music to suggest how it might have looked if used. You get a terrific documentary on the making of the film (And I'm not talking about the "Operation Undersea" tv show either. A tour of the Nautilus, Nemo's Organ Music, a Cinemascope cartoon, a documentary on real squids, and lots more. Commentary by the director, film historians and collectors is great too. The only quibble is the box could have looked better- but that's nitpicking of the first order considering what's here. You will be pleased- this is the way DVD's were meant to be.
  
  
• Voyage of the Nautilus
  By A1F1FOR46702YF on 2003-08-18
  Kirk Douglas and James Mason explore the mysteries of the deep in the 1954 Sci-Fi classic "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". Rumors of a fierce sea monster that attacks ships has open the interests of a curious French scientist (Paul Lukas), his faithful aide (Peter Lorre) and an able harpoonist (Kirk Douglas). Upon a striking encounter, they learn that the giant sea monster is a powerful underwater vessel under the command of the vengeful Captain Nemo (James Mason). After 50 years, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" still remains as the best adaptation of the classic science fiction novel by Jules Verne. The 1954 live action Disney motion picture features a powerful story, great under-water photography and a rich music score. Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre are well cast but its James Mason's intense performance as Captain Nemo that often drives the whole film. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" also contains some impressive visuals and thrilling moments including a gripping battle against a giant squid.
  
  Disney gives "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" the full "2-Disc Special Edition" treatment. The 1954 Sci-Fi classic is presented in its original theatrical widescreen format. The DVD contains an amazing video transfer and a clear 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Disc 2 features exclusive bonus material including the informative "The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" documentary, three behind-the-scenes featurettes, its theatrical trailer, a picture gallery and an audio commentary by director Richard Fleischer & film historian Rudy Behlmer. Like previous Disney DVD, the disc also contains forced commercials and trailers of upcoming Disney releases. Overall, "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" scores an "A".
  
  
• Still the Best Version!
  By A3LXKO2S6G2DBI on 2003-12-09
  Neither of the abysmal recent television adaptations of Jules Verne's classic novel manage to capture the tragically noble essence of Captain Nemo as well as this sweeping and colorful 1954 Disney adaptation. Whereas the predictable contemporary direction is to create an obsessed sociopath consumed by his own rage, Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" sticks to Verne's original vision of an elegant but tortured genius who vows to rid the world of war by hunting the seas for those who traffic in human suffering. The spot-on James Mason brings Nemo to life with just the right touch of brilliance and sadness-we know he is doomed to failure, yet despite his misguided methods, there's a part of us that roots for him and his cause. Paul Lukas is wonderfully sympathetic as Professor Arronax, the soft-spoken, Victorian biologist who begins to identify with Nemo; Peter Lorre, as the professor's skulking assistant, Conseil, and Kirk Douglas, as Ned Land, the brash harpooner that ultimately causes Nemo's undoing, provide much of the comic relief. But even the solid cast must compete with Harper Goff's version of the Nautilus, quite possibly the most successful blend of technology and imagination to ever grace the silver screen. In a production that shines--from the beautiful cinematography to Richard Fleischer's sure-handed direction to special effects that are wonderfully tangible in this age of cold computer effects--there is a feast for the senses in every scene, and Paul Smith's evocative score--Douglas' musical number notwithstanding--will stay with you long after the credits roll. Disney deserves kudos for producing a DVD that is lovely to look at and packed with extras, though we probably could live without the myriad commercials at the beginning of the main disc.
  
  
• I can't believe that nobody's reviewed his yet...
  By A3H3CN5312XCU2 on 1999-12-06
  This was Walt Disney's first live action film and probably his best. The special effects, while not up to current computer driven imagery was better than most other films for almost thirty years.

  The story is an adaptation of Jules Verne's classic with an emphasis on providing pagentry and action to the viewer. In many ways, it flows much better than Verne's work and brings to life the characters in ways that Verne seems to have been able to (or maybe the problems I had was with the translation that I was reading).

  James Mason overshadows all of the other actors in this film as Captain Nemo. Kirk Douglas puts up a credible front as Ned Land, harpooner, adventurer and part time crooner.

  Now, why isn't it on DVD yet?
  
  

• If You're A Vernian Fan
  By A2Z3RRJ6SEMNAA on 1999-04-18
  I first saw this film when I was a kid at the Colony Theatre in south Chicago in the early 60's. Loved it ever since. Disney did an excellent recreation of the Nautilus- both inside and out. The interior camera shots were actual "cabin" size in proportion to the vessel itself. The pipe organ was recorded at the UA sound studios- and yes, James Mason really IS playing it. The giant squid shoot was a marvel of technology for 1954 hydraulics- this being filmed in a huge tank. By all means, go on this wonderful voyage brought to you by the "fore-seer of things to come, Jules Verne- and Walt Disney.
  
  
• BEST DISNEY FILM EVER MADE
  By A3S1YIQQW7AZO on 2001-03-30
  There are 20,000 things I like about this movie. For one, the casting is PERFECT. James Mason IS Captain Nemo. When he looks at an enemy frigate, you can see the UTTER HATRED burning in his eyes and the wicked snarl on his lips. This is one of the most believable performances I've seen. Also, I love the part where he plays TOCCATA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR by BACH. This is my favorite classical tune and it fits very nicely into the film, setting a dark mood. The film starts off in just the right place, showing the "monster" sinking a frigate. It literally starts off with a bang. Soon after, a professor and his side-kick and a harpoonist set out to sea to discover the truth about this "sea monster." When their own ship gets sunk, the truth is discovered, but the story has only begun . . . . Throughout this movie you can see all sorts of different underwater creatures. At times you almost feel like you are watching a documentary, but this is mostly due to a very Disney influence. One part that would make a good poster is where it shows the Nautilus sinking just a few dozen yards in front of a frigate. You'll know the part when you see it. Then there's the part with the squid, which looks VERY realistic. For the 1950's, they get an A+. I doubt computer graphics could do better. This is one of the few movies that PROVES that you don't have to have amazing special effects to make your movie good. Mostly what makes this movie good is the acting and storyline. This is an excellent film for ALL AGES. If you want to see a good book-to-screen translation, then start with this movie. It deserves nothing less than 5 stars.
  
  
• One of my all-time favorites revisited.
  By A32J6PVPNP4JDW on 2003-06-29
  20,000 Leagues under the Sea was always my favorite of Disney's live-action movies. I grew up watching them all; Old Yeller, the love bug, Swiss Family Robinson, but none of them ever excited my imagination quite the way James Mason's portrayal of Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, did. I used to watch this movie over and over until my old VHS copy finally gave out. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this movie had been released on DVD; I snatched up the first copy I saw, took it home, watched it, and was absolutely delighted with it! Captain Nemo and the Nautilus look as good as ever, and I was also extremely happy to see that this DVD is completely loaded with special features; The making-of featurette alone runs well over an hour, which in itself is quite entertaining to watch. Overall, I gave this one 5 stars for two reasons; first, I'm a huge fan of this classic, and second, because of the thoroughness and quality of the job Disney did when they put this DVD together.
  
  
• Totally engrossing on big screen.
  By AOVJYIUATQKR5 on 2003-07-03
  When I was 8 years old and saw this on the big screen I was totally engrossed by the spectacle of this movie. I had such strong good feeling about it, that i was disappointed to find that it bored my little ones. I am still giving it 5 stars cause i loved it! My kids would probably give it 2.5 stars.
  
  
• This Installment of the Vault Disney Collection is great!
  By AIM1IGJIFJ1SY on 2003-07-15
  This is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. It has dazzling special effects and the story about the mixed personality Captain Nemo is wonderful. Beautifully restored in widescreen, this DVD's features really make this a jewel. It is two discs: On the first disc, there are two features. The first is an audio commentary with the director. Second is the Donald Duck Cartoon, Grand Canyonscope, which was shown at the original release. Put in the second disc, and you go into the vault to the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea room. Go to the left, and there are three featurettes: The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Jules Verne and Walt Disney feaurettes are two of them. On the right, you could go to the Forgotten Treasures: The Sunset Squid, The 1954 Disney Album, and the door to the Archival features. In the Archival features, you could go to the audio menu, the galleries, or through all the features like theatrical trailers, documentaries, and other goodies. In the audio, you could see hours of audio clips. This is a set, beautifully crafted for this classic film. 5 stars all the way. Walt Disney would be proud!
  
  
• Disney fans don't hesitate to buy this!
  By A2EZU46OMWEKTT on 2006-07-22
  I purchased this as simply and add on to my ever growing Disney DVD collection. I did not really expect much. What a wonderful surprise awaited me inside this little package.The movie was very good, but the special features made it excellent. I learned so much from watching them about the Disney studios at the time of the filming as well as about Walt Disney himself.The features also included great detailed info about the making of the film, the musical score and many many other intersting things. This is a must own for Disney fans and Sci-Fi movie fans. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
  
  
• Douglas' song neatly sums up the whole Disney venture...
  By AGZVS6M8XJGN6 on 2006-12-16
  The film begins in 1868 as news of a mysterious and puzzling phenomenon sweeps the nautical world... Tales of vessels being swiftly destroyed by this apparition reach the public mind... American government and an armed frigate is sent to destroy the mysterious 'thing', most of the time phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movements than a whale...
  
  But the monster sinks the frigate and only three survivors find themselves aboard 'a floating island' which inflamed their minds... The three survivors were: a roguish sailor (Kirk Douglas), an oceanic professor (Paul Lukas), and his assistant, Conseil (Peter Lorre).
  
  The three men also find that their host, the enigmatic Captain Nemo (James Mason), is a cultured, hospitable gentleman whose big ambition is to destroy the world, which he despises... His splendid ship, the futuristic Nautilus, is a technological, self-sustaining wonder, enabling its crew to investigate worlds hundreds of fathoms beneath the surface...
  
  In their involuntary roles as prisoner-guests, the trio is invited to tour the wonders of the deep... and the walk freely on the bottom of the sea...
  
  Although the professor and Conseil are content to remain aboard to take advantage of the knowledge gained, the 'prince of harpooners' was eager to escape and get back to his own way of life... Douglas makes his great escape when the Nautilus stops at a lonely island but savage cannibals chase him back to the safety of Nemo's ship...
  
  Seizing every opportunity to get away, Douglas inserts notes containing the location of Nemo's secret island, in bottles and tosses them hopefully into the sea... One of the notes finds its way to the Navy...
  
  '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' deserves acclaim for its futuristic insight... It is the finest visualization so far of a Jules Verne fantasy...
  
  According to Verne, the Nautilus gathered all the treasures of nature and art, with the artistic confusion which distinguishes a painter's studio...
  
  Kirk Douglas is at his best as the extravagant harpooner, occasionally violent and very passionate when contradicted...
  
  With his uniquely expressive voice, James Mason is brilliant as the dark genius, who put himself beyond the pale of human laws, defying all attempts made against him...
  
  Paul Lukas looks like a very curious intruder, absolutely astounded to pass his time in this mystic garden of the deep, on board the land of marvels...
  
  Peter Lorre is quite funny as the true, devoted servant, who despite his name, never giving advice, even when asked for it...
  
  At one point in the picture Douglas sings "Whale of a Tale," which neatly sums up the whole Disney venture..
  
  
  
  
• VHS Ok, When will we see a full feature DVD?
  By A25R2BKMK3A7KC on 2001-02-05
  The tape seems to be the same version now shown on tv. Some of the more adult content, such as Douglas and Lorrie getting drunk, had been cut out. Though the story has been "Disney-fied" to a degree, it is certainly the best adaption of the book to film. There is a new disney animated film in production titled "Atlantis" that shares some elements with 20,000 Leagues - details revealed so far are that it is NOT a musical and does NOT feature talking animals. We can only hope....

  In mean time, I'd really like to see a DVD release of 20,000 Leagues, wide screen, with restored scenes and some of the documentary material I remember from Wonderful World of Disney.
  
  

• Divers down
  By A29QA79VLQGHY6 on 2003-05-22
  The lengthy and often talky "20,000 Leagues" probably won't thrill kids fresh from "The Matrix Reloaded," but they may be interested to know that the Verne film was the effects marvel of its day.

  Parents raised in the wonder years will feel the rush of pure nostalgia. The acting of James Mason and Kirk Douglas should be a revelation to those who remember the film as an effects vehicle.

  This rousing package will keep the film's legend (and the nostalgia) alive, while hauling in yet another load of "20,000" treasure for Disney. The movie, one of the earliest to be shot in Cinemascope, comes only in the original aspect ratio of 2.55:1. The radical crop yields dramatic visuals, especially on screens designed for widescreen. The Technicolor images sparkle. There are few signs of damage, especially considering the film is a half-century old.

  Audio, in Dolby Digital 5.1, is adequate, heavily front-biased with limited effects routed to rear speakers. But for a minute, when Capt. Nemo plays Bach on his golden pipe organ, the rear channels spring magnificently to life. Too bad there aren't more moments like this.

  The DVDs' generous collection of extras covers the many effects' creation, with insights from many of the surviving craftsmen. The making-of featurette is packed with great tales and color production footage. Too much of the material in the extras is repeated on the director's feature-length commentary, in which director Richard Fleischer tells his well-worn stories to a slow-talking film historian.

  Disc 2 includes a quartet of well-made new featurettes. One must-see extra unspools (16mm) footage of the original squid attack. (We're talking "Mystery Science Theater" here.)

  The extras repeatedly pay tribute to production designer Harper Goff, who built the Nautilus, basing it on the bodies of sharks and alligators (Jules Verne's sub was smooth and futuristic.) Goff "had an extraordinary ability to put himself in Victorian times," one coworker says. Goff discusses his concepts on old videotape. Also justly celebrated are set decorator Emile Kuri and matte master Peter Ellenshaw. In a nice touch, a featurette covers music man Paul Smith, a gifted but low-profile Disney lifer best known for "Pinocchio."

  The featurette "Explorers of the Imagination" makes the case for Verne and Disney as visionary brethren. Another examines the real giant squid, found in the Pacific off Mexico (yes, they will eat you). Disc 1 kicks off with "Grand Canyonscope," the original Donald Duck cartoon that preceded "20,000 Leagues."

  Menus are fairly simple, an improvement on the time-wasting guides Disney seems fond of these days.
  
  

• Top-notch fantasy movie
  By on 2004-01-23
  Like most people who have seen this film, I admire and respect it greatly. A timeless classic. About the DVD: the picture and sound quality is very sharp and clean. On the other audio track, director Richard Fleischer is interviewed throughout the film, although he's not the most entertaining person to listen to. The bonus DVD contains a huge amount of extras, such as making of documentaries, TV spots, deleted scenes, production info, photo galleries, and much more. However, I did find navigating thru the DVD menus a bit tricky. Someone new to DVD technology might have some trouble finding everything.
  
  
• Return of an old Romance
  By A320YH46EG098B on 2005-12-24
  I remember falling in love with this movie back in the early 60's when it was re-released by Disney in movie theatres. My friend and I went to see this movie and another (can't even recall what the other movie was) but we ended up staying around to see 20,000 Leagues a second time, much to the consternation of our parents and causing us to pool our modest resources to keep ourselves from starving for another 2 hours.
  
  But this was Jules Verne coming to life on the screen, with James Mason portraying this tortured sole of a genius who was using his gifts to strike back at a world that had done him wrong. The Nautilus itself was a perfect blend of 1800's industrialism/heavy metal and Victorian elegance - the island of Volcania (Peter Ellenshaw's fantastic matte production) looked like the perfect "Batcave" for the Nemo character. Even though I knew the outcome, I was crushed by the death of Nemo, hoping that perhaps he might escape to live to build and fight another day in more fantastic machines (no doubt George Lucas might have remembered this type of situation and made sure the Darth Vader character had a chance to return should his funny little Star Wars movie might actually make some money!)
  
  What can you say about a DVD which just gives you more of a good thing, including comments by the director?
  
  Now if only Disney could see fit to bring back the 20,000 Leagues submarine ride at WDW which they so mindlessly discarded due to cost-cutting in the Eisner era .......
  
  

• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
• Treasure Island
• The Time Machine
• Mysterious Island (Widescreen)