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20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) (Disney) [VHS]
 
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20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) (Disney) [VHS]

VHS ~ Kirk Douglas
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Robert J. Wilke
  • Directors: Richard Fleischer
  • Writers: Earl Felton, Jules Verne
  • Producers: Walt Disney
  • Format: Closed-captioned, PAL
  • Language English
  • Classification: U
  • Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
  • VHS Release Date: 29 Mar 2004
  • Run Time: 118 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004CHZR
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 7,006 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    Popular in these categories:

    #24 in  Video > Classic Films > Classic Family Films
    #28 in  Video > Classic Films > Actors > Mason, James
    #40 in  Video > Children's Videos > Disney > Family Films

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets, 20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water and deservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. --Doug Thomas

Amazon.co.uk Review
The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming.

The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets, 20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water and deservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. --Doug Thomas

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20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) (Disney) [VHS]
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Superior DVD Package of a Memorable Film, 26 Jan 2004
By Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [DVD] [1954] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)
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

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Disneys' Underwater Epic, 21 April 2004
By David Hobson (South Shields, Tyne & Wear United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [DVD] [1954] (DVD)
Even 50 years after it was released, Disneys' 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is still the best screenplay based on the Jules Verne novel.
The story is well known:- A sea monster attacking shipping in the 1860s is hunted by a U.S. warship and is revealed as being an advanced submarine boat. Three survivors from an attack on the warship, a French professor (Paul Lukas), his assistant (Peter Lorre) and a Canadian harpooner (Kirk Douglas) end up as unwilling "guests" on board the submarine Nautilus. The interraction between these three characters and the Master of the Nautilus, Captain Nemo (James Mason) forms the backbone of the films plot.
The performance of James Mason as Nemo, the genius builder of the Nautilus and its futuristic propulsion system, driven by hatred to commit horrific acts of revenge, is superb. Unfortunately, by comparison, he tends to make the other characters seem a little two-dimensional at times.
The general "feel" of the film is rather darker than you would expect from a Disney product from this period, although a trained seal and the obligatory song help to lighten things up.
The widescreen ratio of the DVD is ideal for the subject matter. Underwater shots pf the Nautilus miniature (a masterpiece of design by Harper Goff) fill the screen nicely, while the interior sets are given a genuinely claustrophobic feel.
Scenes that remain in the memory include the glowing porthole "eyes" of the Nautilus as it churns through the water to ram an unsuspecting steamship, and the epic hand-to-tentacle battle with a giant squid.
Although not mentioned on the packaging, there are several excellent bonus features, including a tour of the Nautilus and recently discovered footage of the first attempt to film the squid attack.
All in all a very pleasing, and long awaited,DVD. My only regret is that Disney did not take the opportunity to release a 50th anniversary special edition, with extras more in line with those on the Region 1 edition.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this film!!!, 16 Oct 2004
By Gavin Moore "Gav" (Gateshead. England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
This review is from: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [DVD] [1954] (DVD)
One of a handful of films I remember watching when I was younger, I decided to buy it on video a couple of years ago and found out that I still really liked this film! So I bought it again recently on DVD as I liked it so much! There are some nice extras this time! Such as a tour of the Nautilus, a documentary of the Humbolt Squid... and more.

Anyway, I remember being mesmerised by the site of the Nautilus, what an evil looking machine! I loved the design of it! '20,000 Leagues under the Sea' has so much to offer in the way of action comedy, imagination and story.
One of many movies portraying the genius of Jules Verne :) Buy the film, buy the book!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely piece of nostalgia
Having seen this film over 40 times since I was five years old, I am slightly biased, but although it might not be exciting enough for your average youngster nowadays, it is still... Read more
Published 1 month ago by DBB

5.0 out of 5 stars 20'000 Leagues Under The Sea ( 1954 )
20'0000 Leagues Under The Sea ( 1954 )
Combining Jules Vernes Classic with
Walt Disney produced one of the
Big Screens Best Works Of Art ! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roman

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING FX WORK, A CLASSIC STORY, GREAT ACTING...AND ONE OF THE GREAT MONSTER SETPIECES!!
Saw this on TV yesterday, and felt compelled to comment on this movie, which I have always loved.
Simply this, the FX work is amazing - not just for 1954, but even by... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Adam Jackson

5.0 out of 5 stars It will still take your breath away
Today, 50 years after the fact, Disney's Jules Verne epic will still take your breath away, as this luxurious new one-disc edition amply proves. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2004 by Michael Bo

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Disney Classic!
James Mason is fabulous as Captain Nemo and really steals the movie from it's intended star Kirk Douglas. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2000

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