Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released: 1954
History
In the early 1930's Disney's biggest competitor was the Fleischer Brothers studio. Their Popeye and Betty Boop cartoons equaled and often surpassed the popularity of the Disney's Mickey Mouse cartoons. So what is strange about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is that it was directed by Richard Fleischer, who was the son of Max Fleischer the head of that studio. This was towards the beginning of Richard's directorial career, he had mostly been doing low budget B pictures at this time, such as The Clay Pigeon, so this was a big change for him. However after this he would go on to direct such films as Tora, Tora, Tora, Soylent Green, and Conan the Destroyer. Richard Fleischer remembered being very surprised when Walt asked him to direct the film, because of who his father was. He wanted to ask his father if it was okay before he accepted Walt's offer. His dad told him that it was okay, but he said he wanted his son to tell Walt that he had a great taste in directors. Walt invited his old rival to lunch, and the two ex-rivals became good friends.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first time a live action Disney film had this big name of a cast. The cast included Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas, James Mason, and Peter Lorre. In fact Charles Boyer was originally considered for that part that would be offered to Paul Lucas. Kirk Douglas in fact learned to play the guitar for this film because his screen character here played guitar. Peter Lorre played a role that differed from his normal screen persona. In fact he said that the giant squid that attacked the ship, got the role that he would usually get. This was also the first Disney film to be shot in Cinemascope. After this nearly all Disney films would be in Cinemascope.
Director Richard Fleischer remembered that that 20000 Leagues Under the Sea was not an easy book to translate to film, because it did not have much in the way of a traditional story. Richard suggested that the studio give the job of writing the script to Earl Felton, who had previously worked with him on such films as The Narrow Margin and The Happy Time.
As would be excepted from a film like this getting the look just right was not easy, especially with a perfectionist like Walt Disney in charge. Much of the underwater scenes were actually shot off the coast of Nassau in the Bahamas. Though some of the more complicated scenes were shot on a sound stage with a giant tank of water. For some scenes Walt actually paid to use a water tank from Fox, and a back lot from Universal. The fight with the giant squid was especially difficult. The director remembered much trouble with the giant squid. Despite how much money was spent already making this scene, Richard and Walt deiced to save the shooting for later to figure out ways to improve it. After talking with screenwriter Earl Felton, Richard decided to have this scene take place at night during a storm, to both make the mechanics less obvious and to make the scene more exciting. It was much more expensive this way but Walt didn't care he just wanted to make a great film. Probably one of the biggest problems was that the fish would not swim in front of the camera, but they would rather go out of their way to avoid it. This was overcome by using animated fish. Also very important to this film was art director John Meehan. John Meehan had already won Academy Awards for his work on the films, The Heiress and Sunset Boulevard. His sets here were the most extravagant in a live action Disney film at this time. Also important to this film's look is cameraman Franz Planer, who had to both get used to the brand new Cinemascope and lighting on very difficult sets.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the most expensive and extravagant live action Disney film made at this time, but it was also the most successful. Critics and audiences praised the film, and it made much more money than it cost. The film would also win the Academy Award for Special Effects and Color Art Direction.
An attraction based off this film was in Walt Disney World from 1971 to 1994. Set from the film could be seen in Disneyland from 1955 to 1966. The pie organ from this film can still be seen in The Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyland.
Review
Simply an incredible movie. Even today this still ranks as one of Disney's best live action films.This film has such amazing atmosphere to it. The look of this film is excellent. The sets are simply breath taking. What is even more important these thing do not distract from the story, but rather add to it, and suck us into the world of this movie. Some of the effects may be dated today, but many of them hold up extremely well.
These characters are very compelling and complex. Captain Nemo is one of the main reasons to watch this film. His character is simply so fascinating. This is due heavily both to James Mason's acting, and a fantastic script. This is a character with so many layers, who you are both afraid of and eager to learn more about. Like the professor we are also afraid of his evilness, but in awe of the man as well. He remains one of the best characters to appear in a Disney film. In fact all the characters are quite fascinating in their own way and very well acted. Both the writing and acting in this film are near perfect.
This film is a masterpiece and remains one of Disney's best live action films.
Film Credits
Director: Richard Fleischer
Writer: Earl Felton
Based off the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Cast: Kirk Douglas (Ned Land), James Mason (Captain Nemo), Peter Lorre (Conseil), Paul Lukas (Prof. Pierre Aronnax), Robert J. Wilke (First Mate of the Nautilus), Ted de Corsia (Captain Farragut), Carleton Young (John Howard), J.M. Kerrigan (Old Billy), Percy Helton (Coach Driver), Ted Cooper (Mate), Chet Brandenburg (Sailor), John Daheim (Seaman), Jack Gargan (Reporter), Harper Goff (Minister), Fred Graham (Casey Moore), Charles Grodin (Drummer), Harry Harvey (Ticket Agent), Ray Linn Jr. (Sailor), Dayton Lummis (Reporter), Eddie Marr (Shipping Agent), Laurie Mitchell (Girlfriend), T. Monaghan (Crewman), Ron Nyman (Sailor), Gloria Pall (Girlfriend), Jack Pennick (Cannon Mate Carson), Robert Robinson (Sailor), Jack Stoney (Detective), S. Tarnell (Crewman), Herb Vigran (Reporter), Sailor Vincent (Sailor)
Producer: Walt Disney
Music: Paul J. Smith
Songwriters: Norman Gimbel, Al Hoffman
Cinematographer: Franz Planer
Editor: Elmo Williams
Production Design: Harper Goff
Art Directors: John Meehan, Harper Goff
Set Decorator: Emile Kuri
Makeup Department: Louis Hippe, Emmy Eckhardt, Dan Greenway, Gustaf Norin, Lillian Rader
Production Managers: Fred Leahy, Frederic Leahy, Ed Ralph
Assistant Directors: Tom Connors Jr., James Curtis Havens, Russ Haverick, J. Matane
Art Directors: Bruce Bushman, Adam John Backauskas, Art Cole,Arden Cripe, J.C. Delaney, Juan Esquinta, Sandy Grace, Juan Haquinta, John Harris, John Hench, Roland Hill, De Nunsic, James Owens, Russell Ray, Freddie Stoos, Art Sweet, Karl Wiebach
Sound Department: Robert O. Cook, C.O. Slyfield, G.R. Danner
Effects: John Hench, Joshua Meador, Jim Donnelly, Lou Gray, Robert A. Mattey, Ub Iwerks, Ralph Hammeras, Charles Bovel, Marcel Delgado, Warren Wray Hamilton, Andy Lane, Fred Sersen, Albert Whitlock, Chris Mueller
Painter: Peter Ellenshaw
Camera Department: Til Gabani, Charles P. Boyle, Edward Colman, Tom Eddy, John Farrell, Jim Grady, Hadley, Paul Hill, Dick Johnson, Kauffman, James V. King, F. Bud Mautino, Morris Rosen, Charles Russell, Don Stott, Hal Swanson, Anthony Ugrin
Costume Department: Norman Martien, Harrington, Herman, Robert Martien, Robert Olivas, Ottras
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046672/?ref_=nv_sr_3
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/20000%20Leagues%20Under%20the%20Sea
2000 Leagues Under the Sea DVD audio commentary by Richard Fleischer and Rudy Behlmer
-Michael J. Ruhland
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