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Mysterious Island (Widescreen)
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Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Find all by Sony Pictures
Directed By: Cy Endfield, Richard Schickel
Audience Rating: Unrated
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical Release: December 31, 1969
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
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Retail Price: $19.94
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Starring: Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill, Herbert Lom
Based on Jules Vern's classic novel MYSTERIOUS ISLAND is the story of five men escaping from a Confederate prison in an observation balloon. When they land the balloon they find themselves on a South Seas island where they encounter pirates a giant bird a giant crab and even Captain Nemo.System Requirements:Running Time: 100 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 043396078949 Manufacturer No: 07894
User Submitted Mysterious Island (Widescreen) Reviews
August 6, 2008
This has it all
Yes, this does have it all. Great creature effects by Harryhausen, great music score by Hermann and Beth Rogan running around the island in a great "island outfit". Lot's of fun.
April 7, 2008
Fantastic fun
A great family movie. Still enjoyable after all this time. Another Harryhausen movie that helped to bring delight to thousands of cinema goers.
March 12, 2008
Classic from yester-year
I agree with others about beauty in the simplicity of the special effects. When this movie was made it was cutting edge. I watched it with my husband (who has seen it several times before) and rather enjoyed it. The battle scene with the giant chicken is priceless. I look forward to catching up on other movies from Ray Harryhausen. Truly enjoyable for the whole family!
August 31, 2007
Mysterious Island
Any Jules Verne or Ray Harryhausen fan should have a good time watching this movie. It's not " 20,000 leagues Under the Sea " or " 7th Voyage of Sinbad " , however...it's still fun fantasy.
March 14, 2007
The Creativity, Idealism, and Venality of Captain Nemo
I first saw this film as a child, and remember being thrilled by the scenes. It was a delight to see it again after some 40 years. But there is more to this film than meets the eye. Other reviewers have extensively discussed the adventure aspects of this film, and I will instead focus on some deeper issues raised.
Captain Nemo said that he lived alone on the island because he had become disillusioned with humanity. He especially opposed war, and, in previous years, had used his invention of the submarine to sink battleships. One of the Union soldiers stranded on the island pointed out Nemo's inconsistency: Nemo opposed violence, yet used violence to promote his goals! The Union soldier also pointed out that he himself was using violence to promote a worthy cause--the freeing of the slaves in the American Civil War.
Nemo said that he changed his mind about living alone forever as a result of the determined struggles of the castaways in attempting to survive. That is what motivated Nemo to help the castaways surreptitiously by such things as dragging one of the nearly-drowned soldiers to shore and building a fire for him, shooting the giant chicken, sinking the attacking pirate ship at a critical time, etc.
Nemo also came to believe that war was caused by human want. This is what motivated him to make these giant versions of creatures such as the crab, chicken, and bee. These giant creatures would provide an inexhaustible supply of food for all humans, and there would be no more need for war.
Nemo was creative, and said that he was a man of reason, not faith. Yet at a critical time, Nemo became resigned to death because of the unexpectedly-early erupting volcano. Ironically, he had to be prodded by the castaways to not give up and to adopt one of their ideas. They used the balloon to raise the sunken pirate ship for the escape. The castaways make it, but will Nemo? I will not spoil the ending by revealing it.
March 11, 2007
The Island of Gigantic Creatures
Jules Verne is one of my favorite classic science fiction writers so Verne based movies are on my must-see list. In Japan Mysterious Island is not that well-known Verne stories just as Around The World In Eighty Days, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea or Adrift In The Pacific. So this 1961 movie gives me a great clue because I haven't yet read the original novel.
The story in this movie seems to blend elements of various classic adventure stories such as Defoe's "Robinson Cruisoe", Swift's "Gulliver's Travels", as well as Verne novels such as "Around The World...", "20,000 leauges..." and "Adrift In The Pacific". Special effects in this movie reminds me of "Boy I Shrank The Kids". It seems not like that the creature got bigger but humans shrank before the creatures. Special effects seems outdated viewing from CG-accustommed modernists. Yet the film is vivid because of the splendid acting particularly Captain Nemo. Cartoon like adventures galore.
Verdict: Despite its outdated F/X the movie delivers
Rating: 89 out of 100
Recommended for: Wide range of classic Sci-fi movies fans.
March 10, 2007
Another Harrhausen Classic
A must have film for all Harryhausen fans. Good storyline,plenty of beasts, a little romance and great action.
February 26, 2007
Good adaptation of a novel
This is a good adaptation of Jules Verne's novel. I saw this film when I was a kid and thus watching again reminded me of fond memories. This would be a good family film. It is a tale of survival with good visual effects (one should condition the era of production).
February 24, 2007
Mysterious Island of special effects
I originally saw this movie when I was 10 years old and I loved it. It sparked me to read the Jules Verne classic. Even though the movie and book have very little in common, I recommend both. This movie is a special effects dream. It is true they might appear a little dated now when compared to computer generated effects today, but remember that this was made in 1961. The story moves along well and quickly. The acting is competent. This is not Gone With the Wind, but it is fun entertainment.
February 19, 2007
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND
Jules Verne's tale of "Mysterious Island" comes to life in this 1961 adaption brought to the screen for us by Producer-Charles H. Schneer and Creator of Visual Effects-Ray Harryhausen. The screenplay is well written by John Prebble, Daniel Ullman and Crane Wilbur; being wonderfully directed by Cy Endfield.
The visual effects created by Ray Harryhausen are great as usual and include a Giant Crab, the Phororhacos, Giant Bees and the Cephalopod. There is a really solid cast in this film which includes Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill, and Beth Rogan. Herbert Lom delivers a fine performance as Captain Nemo. This movie was filmed in Spain and the location is quite nice. The music by Bernard Herrmann conducting the London Symphony Orchestra is absolutely fabulous, setting the tone throughout the entire movie. There are also special features, which includes "The Harryhausen Chronicles" narrated by Leonard Nimoy.
I remember being fascinated with this movie as a child growing up and always wanting more, wishing the movie would have ran a little bit longer than usual. While I love this movie and am very grateful to own it on DVD, there are some things that need to be mentioned here.
In the widescreen process, the top and the bottom of the picture are cut off, which is really weird. Note: when the movie starts showing, you will see that the bottom of the Columia Pictures statue is cut off. This movie also needs major restoration, and Columbia Pictures should not have released it without doing so. The audio is in 1.0 mono which is an insult; it should have been remastered in 5.1 surround.
To sum it up: the movie needs a major restoration and it should be remastered in 5.1 surround with an excellent anamorphic video presentation. However, it is an excellent movie and I am glad to have it on DVD. Anything that Ray Harryhausen is involved in is great!
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