In 1868, the waters of the Pacific Ocean are said to be inhabited by a sea monster that attacks and sinks naval ships. Professor Pierre Aronnax (Paul Lucas) is approached by the U.S. Navy to aid in an investigation of the Pacific waters to try to find out if there really is a monster or if there is another explanation for the strange attacks. The Professor and his assistant, Conseil (Peter Lorre) are taken aboard a frigate captained by Captain Farragut (Ted de Corsia). Also on board is a civilian master harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas) who was hired to kill the monster should they run across it.
After three and a half months of searching the captain decided that they were wasting their time and decides to end the search. That’s when they spot a warship in the distance on fire. Then they see the monster. Their ship is rammed by the creature and is disabled. Ned, Professor Aronnax and Conseil are thrown from the ship. The crippled frigate floats away. The three castaways see the monster and realize that it is a metal submersible ship. They climb aboard and inspect it. The captain, Captain Nemo (James Mason) and crew of the ship return from performing an underwater funeral and find the three men. Nemo tells them that they are on the Nautilus. At first Nemo wants to throw them overboard but, after a loyalty test, decides that they may be of use.
On the Nautilus Aronnax learns that Nemo and the crew were escaped prisoners that were used as slave labor for war mongers. His wife and son were tortured and killed by those who want Nemo’s secrets to how he propels his ship. Nemo now sails the Pacific looking for war ships to sink. Aronnax becomes fascinated with the sub and with Nemo. Conseil is worried that Aronnax will be swayed to take Nemo’s side in his mission of revenge. Ned believes that Nemo is mad and wants to escape so he can notify the authorities.
The Nautilus continues to cruse the ocean looking for ships to sink. The ship sustains damage and emergency repairs are made. Nemo tells Aronnax that they are heading for his sanctuary, an island called Vulcania. Vulcania is an extinct volcano that is flooded. Access is through an underground waterway. Ned hears about the island and launches a plan to notify naval authorities.
“20,000 leagues under the sea” was released in 1954 and was directed by Richard Fleischer. It is an American science fiction fantasy adventure with steampunk elements. The film was produced by Walt Disney Studios. It is based on the 1870 novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea” by Jules Verne.
The undersea footage was shot in the Bahamas as well as Jamaica. The Bahamas is where the 1916 silent version of the film was shot. The battle with the giant squid caused problems due to the strings manipulating the arms being seen so the storm was added to cover up any behind-the-scenes action. The result added drama and tension to an already wild scene.
It’s a fun family movie with some great special effects and a wonderful cast. James Mason is great as the soul tortured Captain Nemo and Kirk Douglas is slightly over the top as the bombastic Ned Land.
The seal’s name is Esmeralda.