Mysterious Island (1961) Part 1

Jules Verne's classic adventure is perfectly matched with Ray Harryhausen's timeless movie magic in Mysterious Island. Based on Verne's sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this rousing Civil War-era fantasy begins when a band of Union war prisoners(Michael Craig, Michael Callan and Gary Merrill) and one Confederate straggler escape in a hot-air balloon, which crash-lands on the titular island of mystery. Under the capable direction of genre specialist Cy Endfield, the story features giant oysters, bees, a prehistoric Phororhacos (a giant chickenlike bird!), an undersea cephalopod, a giant crab, and enough danger to keep its resourceful ensemble on constant alert. Captain Nemo (Herbert Lom) is a third-act hero, pursuing an ill-fated dream to save humanity from hunger and war. Also stars Joan Greenwood.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Mysterious
• Island
• Jules
• Verne

[Noveltooner]

Note that Bernard Herrmann's typically brilliant score quoted a few phrases here and there from Paul J. Smith's score for Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," It was obvious that Charles Schneer's production crew was trying to subtlely tie this sequel to the first film for continuity's and, for the most part, it succeed very well. Although we saw Capt. Nemo die in "Leagues," this film casts that scene in ambiguity Herbert Lom as Nemo is very consistent with James Mason's original take.

[MrCombat1965]

Our local TV station used to show this during the summers when I was a kid. I never was able to watch the entire movie because my mom would make me do chores halfway through. It always seemed to be around the giant chicken part.

[covercalls88]

A wonderful movie in its day. Even now it is still a very watchable movie.

[TheVeR01]

@starquant true dat. I hardly keep track of what's coming out these days. I don't even care if copyright won't let the new movies on youtube, keeps this place from getting trashed up by that crap. I'm havin' a jolly good time watching the classics and then reading peoples comments about "o, you should watch this too." Always a treat to find something I've never even heard of

cheers ^V^

[ozboy39]

this is an al time classic- I grew up watching this - Ray Harryhausen is the master at slow motion action

[TomatoeAssassin]

This movie isn't "cheesy". It was incredibly well made especially when you consider it was released in 1961.

I've seen new movies that can't hold a candle to this one.

[gjohnsoningary]

@ShawDAMAN Yes but fun to watch! Loved this movie as a boy!

[lauraalittle]

I've always loved this movie -- and by "always" I mean for this past half century. The combination of Harryhausen's monsters, some solid acting and a great score keep this film memorable for me. Thank-you for posting such an old-fashioned thrill!

[AlsoomseMeda]

I haven't seen this in forever!  Thank you for posting it!

[heyrodders]

ahhh yes... excellent film and great fun... a lot better than some of the recent stuff... I'll have to get this on dvd... cheers ;-)