20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [VHS]

Amazon.com essential video:
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 monsteris 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 anddeservedly 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

Description:
Climb aboard the Nautilus ... and into a strange undersea world of spellbinding adventure! Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas, and Peter Lorre star as shipwrecked survivors taken captive by the mysterious Captain Nemo, brilliantly portrayed by James Mason. Wavering between genius and madness, Nemo has launched a deadly crusade across the seven seas. But can the captive crew expose his evil plan before he destroys the world? Disney's brilliant Academy Award(R)-winning(1955, Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects) adaptation of Jules Verne's gripping tale makes 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA a truly mesmerizing masterpiece!

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Customer Reviews

Rating: - Classic
These movies are just as enjoyable to watch as they were the first time I saw them and look forward to having them on hand to watch again at my leisure. :D
Rating: - 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE TO WATCH AGAIN HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN MANY YEARS. NOW I CAN SHARE IT WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY AGAIN...
Rating: - Moral Muddle
The ship (the Nautilus) goes deep, but almost everything else about this science fiction movie is superficial. So why is it entertaining? Is it a tease, is it the fascination with past/future imaginings, the visual experience (an early version of a nuclear submarine, recognizable actors, historically accurate sets), or music designed for greatest impact? Learn from this film's mistakes, then teach your children higher standards.
Rating: - The 1954 Disney classic in spectacular 2 DVD Set!!!
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is an all time Disney live action classic!!! This awesome 2 DVD set has a THX approved anamorphic widescreen transfer of the film and "submarine" full of great supplimental material!!! This 1954 classic is fun for the entire family!!! Now's it avalibale at nice low price!!! I'm pretty sure a Blu Ray version will "surface" eventually,until that we have this great version to enjoy!!!
Rating: - Great classic movie for younger kids
A wonderful movie that I enjoyed as a youngster and still enjoyed by my younger grandchildren today.