- Actors: Vincent Price, Charles Bronson, Henry Hull, Mary Webster, David Frankham
- Directors: William Witney
- Producers: Master of the World
- Format: Import, PAL, Widescreen
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Run Time: 104.00 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- ASIN: B002IWP5WQ
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 20,576 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), Spanish ( Mono ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Master of the World was adapted by Richard Matheson from two Jules Verne novels, Robur le Conquerant (1896) and its sequel, Maitre du Monde (1904)--with more than a little of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea thrown in. Set in 1868, the story is galvanized by an ominous warning of impending doom, delivered in a disembodied but resonent voice from a huge mountain just outside Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Hoping to find the source of the warning, the members of the Weldon Balloon Society, headed by munitions manufacturer Prudence (Henry Hull), send a motorized balloon to investigate. Also aboard Prudence's balloon is his daughter Dorothy (Mary Webster), her fiance Philip (David Frankham), and taciturn pilot Strock (Charles Bronson). Before long, the little party is captured by the brilliant but unbalanced Robur (Vincent Price), captain of the gigantic, state-of-the-art airship 'Albatross.' Robur explains that he is a man of peace, and that he is using his huge airship to wipe out all warfare by obliterating every weapon of mass destruction on earth--and never mind that a few innocent bystanders may also be killed in the process. Admiring Robur's intentions if not his methods, Strock bypasses every opportunity to stop the madman in his tracks, and for this he is branded a coward by the hotheaded Philip, sparking a battle of words and fists that will persist throughout the film. Meanwhile, Robur attacks such strategic military locations as Paris, Madrid and North Africa, and as the carnage continues, Prudence renounces his war-profiteering ways. As for Strock, his admiration for Robur does not prevent him from a desperate climactic effort to rescue Prudence, Dorothy and Philip by planting a time bomb in the 'Albatross'--a bomb that very well may go...Master of the World
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you can overlook the underfunded special effects, the very obvious sets and the ample stock footage, Master of the World is an enjoyable matinee fantasy adventure adapted by the prolific Richard Matheson from a couple of Jules Verne's less remembered novels that plays out like an airborne version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, with Vincent Price's Nemo-esque Robur planning to end all war by destroying all armies and weapons from his giant airship, The Albatross. It obviously doubles as a time machine, since even though it's set towards the end of the 19th century it can be seen flying over Elizabethan London courtesy of stock footage from Olivier's Henry V, the Battle of Trafalgar from That Hamilton Woman via the big battle scene from Korda's The Four Feathers. It's the kind of film where the back-projection, model shots and matte paintings never convince and were probably never intended to, but have enough old-world design charm for it not to really matter, while Les Baxter offers a rather seductive score that's above and beyond the call of duty for this kind of film, though his end title song didn't make the final cut ("If he rules just one heart a man is a king/It seems as though his soul has taken wing/And like the stars that fly on high above the Earth/A man is Master of the World/When he is loved!"). Charles Bronson is miscast as the suave secret serviceman advocating avoiding antagonising Robur but still comes off much better than you'd expect, Henry Hull is as irritating as usual as the arms manufacturer who finds himself an unwilling passenger on the Albatross, while Mary Webster as his daughter and obligatory romantic interest provides the source of antagonism between Bronson and David Frankham's impatient suitor: it may not be the finest hour for any of them, but they all do what is expected of them without looking like they're above this sort of thing. Matinee stuff, for sure, but engagingly cheap and cheerful with it.
Unfortunately the Spanish DVD is overcropped, losing some of the image at the top of the screen in particular in this widescreen transfer, but since this is currently the only DVD available it's that or nothing.
Unfortunately the Spanish DVD is overcropped, losing some of the image at the top of the screen in particular in this widescreen transfer, but since this is currently the only DVD available it's that or nothing.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
21 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Worth catching, but probably not seeking.
20 Feb 2001
Disappointing and tepid acting seems to be the most stand-out quality in this film. Bronson, playing the hero Strock, obviously gives the part some effort. But his effort falls far short, coming off cold and unemotive. Contrary to the legendary collaboration of Price and Bronson in "House of Wax," Bronson's part might have been better served by a cardboard cutout. The film's hammy and dispassionate special effects certainly make one believe that that option may have been considered. Most film-makers of the period were far more creative with their few resources, and even if the effects were a little corny, they were at least charming. The effects in this movie are parallel only to your local middle-school's performance of "Oklahoma!"
Vincent Price saves the film from ruin, however, by delivering one of the most convincing and provoking performances of his career. Working with a decent script, Price plays perfectly Robur, an idealistic and madly brilliant conqueror, giving the viewer a perfect portrait of deeply-concealed rage and good-intention masked with vitriol and salted with madness. The character of Robur is somewhat metamorphic, and Price conforms to the part on demand. Demonic, honorable, diabolical, repetent -- Price shows all sides of Robur in perfect color.
Fans of Vincent Price and Jules Verne will love this film, and I would highly recommend it to them. Everyone else, however, might consider watching this one only if the oppurtunity presents itself on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Vincent Price is the master
1 Jan 2003
This film could be classified as a fantasy adventure with horror elements when you factor in Robur's wish to end all war. His method? He'll simply fly over oceans and seas in his airship Albitraus and bomb war ships until all war has stopped. Vincent plays Robur in this mad-cap film that begins with a history of aviation. Henry Hull is cast as a cynical judge and the great Charles Bronson is cast as a mysterious passenger who appears to be Robur's accompolice... but looks can be deceiving. Mary Webster and David Frankham play the other "prisoners". David's character isn't likable and you'd wish that Vincent or Charles would throw him off the Albitraus!! The film is sort of an in the air version of James Mason's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" with it's stop all war message.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Unusual, but likeable movie
5 Jan 2002
The plot of this movie is a bit unusual, but I found it likeable because of the actors, such as Vincent Price, Henry Hull, and David Frankham. Charles Bronson also stars, but is probably miscast here. The scenery and music are also well done.
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