20,000 leagues under the sea

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Walt Disney

I’m not exactly one to compare a film’s literary source material to the theatrical release. This is on account of two things: one, I like to judge a film based on its own technical merit and storytelling; two, I don’t do enough reading in my spare time to warrant comparing most films to their respective novels. Such is the case for Disney’s 1954 rendition of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Although I have never had the fortune of reading the book myself, I can say with certainty that the film does it’s best to capture the magic and adventure that the original inspired nearly 150 years ago.

For most, the film’s plot needs no explanation, but, I’ll still go over the major points in case, like me, the only access to the story some have had is the movie. The film follows a professor (Paul Lukas), his apprentice (Peter Lorre), and a ship’s harpooner (Kirk Douglas, who’s now 102 years young and still kicking) as they are left stranded in the middle of the pacific ocean after something attacks their ship. That something turns out to be the Nautilus, a submarine headed by the ruthless Captain Nemo (James Mason). Nemo is waging his own personal war against war and violence itself, destroying any weapon carrying ship with great prejudice. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of adventures such as shipwreck diving, running from cannibals, and even battling a giant squid. His actions leave the captive heroes in a morally grey situation of right and wrong as they question, which is worse, killing unsuspecting sailors, or letting them live so that they may be left to cause further world destruction?

Mason’s performance as Captain Nemo is as subtle as it is intimidating, and was by far my favorite in the film. Not to say exactly that the heroes’ acting was bad, just simply undynamic (which was generally characteristic of the times in terms of filmmaking). The only critique I have to offer in terms of characters was their often muddled motivations and vague allusions to madness and confused morals. For example, the professor, who’s views regarding Nemo’s actions from disgust to sympathy, is often blatantly stated rather than shown in visual storytelling. In other words: show, don’t tell. Douglas’ thematic song throughout the film, “Whale of a Tale” is a catchy, toe-tapping sea shanty, which I remember humming now and again ever since I was very young (I believe my parents had a compilation cd, which had the song on it).

On a technical aspect, this movie is a visual feast for the eyes. I’ve always been a big proponent for practical effects in movies and many aspects of this film, namely the scene featuring the attack from the giant squid, left me enchanted to say the least. Scenes shot underwater were expansive and definitely proved that Disney spared no expense in the set design. More than anything, I was impressed not simply with Disney’s ability to bring Verne’s vision to the big screen, but with Verne’s forethought in nautical technology as it would actually happen (with the original book having been written in 1870).

While by no means the defining film of Disney’s vast library, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is certainly a hidden gem with an engaging story to be appreciated and filmmaking to be technically marvelled at on the same level as other later-made Disney staples such as The Rocketeer and, dare I say it, Mary Poppins. It’s fun, engaging, and wildly creative, as any good Disney movie should be. Dive in, and enjoy the ride!

Overall Rating: A Great Watch

Entertainment Value: Kept My Attention