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Mysterious Island
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Mysterious Island (1961) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   1,830 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Cy Endfield
Writers:
John Prebble (screenplay) &
Daniel B. Ullman (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Mysterious Island on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 December 1961 (USA) more
Tagline:
adventure! mystery! excitement! more
Plot:
During the US Civil War, Union POWs escape in a balloon and end up stranded on a South Pacific island... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
New writer for Disney's remake of 20,000 Leagues
 (From The Geek Files. 8 July 2009, 4:14 PM, PDT)

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: March 15, 2009
 (From Screen Rant. 15 March 2009, 6:41 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
They don't make 'em like this anymore....and that's a shame! more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Michael Craig ... Capt. Cyrus Harding
Joan Greenwood ... Lady Mary Fairchild
Michael Callan ... Herbert Brown
Gary Merrill ... Gideon Spilitt

Herbert Lom ... Captain Nemo
Beth Rogan ... Elena Fairchild
Percy Herbert ... Sgt. Pencroft
Dan Jackson ... Cpl. Neb Nugent
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Jules Verne's Mysterious Island (UK) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Company:
Ameran Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Producer Charles H. Schneer claimed that he chose this story after reading an article stating that Jules Verne's "Mysterious Island" was the most-looked-at book at public libraries. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Neb and Capt. Harding are walking on the beach when they step on top of the giant crab which is covered with sand. In the next shot, the massive crustacean is clawing feverishly at the hapless duo clean and polished...sand-free. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Confederate soldier: All right, now get down.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Simpsons: Moe'N'A Lisa (#18.6)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Toccata and Fugue more

FAQ

Is "Mysterious Island" based on a novel?
What is this movie about?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
11 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
They don't make 'em like this anymore....and that's a shame!, 20 May 2006
8/10
Author: Reginald D. Garrard from Camilla, GA

While most critics, and fans alike, consider Harryhausen's "Jason and the Argonauts" (released two years later) to be the apex of the special effects master's career, "Mysterious Island" stands as one of his best, also. Loosely based on the Jules Verne 19th century novel, the film boasts some memorable special effects wizardry: an awesome escape from a Confederate prison via balloon, the giant crab, the prehistoric "chicken," the bees, and a cool Nautilus - closely resembling Disney's version from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." The cast is good, beginning with Michael Craig as the leader of the band of island dwellers. Gary Merrill, who at once was the husband of legend Bette Davis, as well as her co-star in "All About Eve," is effective as the war correspondent that serves as the voice of reason among the band, along with being the group's cook. Herbert Lom does a great "Nemo," significantly different from James Mason's interpretation in the Disney classic. English actress Joan Greenwood is appropriately aristocratic as "Lady Fairchild." But, it is Harryhausen's effects, along with Bernard Herrmann's brilliant score, that elevate this to one of the best fantasies of the 60's.

Filmed at a brisk pace, the story never lets up, keeping the viewer captivated until the thrilling conclusion.

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Giant Bees RNE
So no one read the book?! alien426
searching for unique Verne movie larue-5
Mysterious Accent! LCShackley
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Civil War Scene Hammerfanatic46
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