Mysterious Island (1961)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Cy Endfield

Writers:

John Prebble (screenplay) &
Daniel B. Ullman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 December 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi | Fantasy

Tagline:

adventure! mystery! excitement!

Plot:

During the US Civil War, Union POWs escape in a balloon and end up stranded on a South Pacific island...

Plot Keywords:

Escape | Island | Bee | Giant Chicken | Bird

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

Also Known As:

Jules Verne's Mysterious Island (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Sa Conca Beach, S'Agaró, Castell-Paltja d'Aro, Girona, Cataluña, Spain

Company:

Ameran Films

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.

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.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Confederate soldier: All right, now get down.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Moe'N'A Lisa (#18.6)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Toccata and Fugue

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

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.