| 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Fleischer |
| Screenplay by | Earl Felton |
| Based on | Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas byJules Verne |
| Produced by | Walt Disney |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Franz Planer |
| Edited by | Elmo Williams |
| Music by | Paul Smith |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 127 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million[1] |
| Box office | $28.2 million[2] |
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a 1954 Americanscience fictionadventure film directed byRichard Fleischer, from a screenplay byEarl Felton. Adapted fromJules Verne's 1870 novelTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, the film was produced byWalt Disney Productions. It starsKirk Douglas,James Mason,Paul Lukas, andPeter Lorre. Photographed inTechnicolor, the film was one of the first feature-length motion pictures to be filmed inCinemaScope. It was the first feature-length Disney film to be distributed byBuena Vista Distribution.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was a critical and commercial success, with particular praise going towards Mason's performance asCaptain Nemo. The film won twoAcademy Awards forBest Art Direction andBest Special Effects.
In 1868, rumors spread of asea monster attacking ships in thePacific Ocean. Professor Pierre Aronnax and his assistant, Conseil, are asked to investigate. They board aU.S. Navyfrigate with Ned Land, a masterharpooner.
After months of patrolling, the monster is spotted. The frigate's crew opens fire, but the monster rams the ship. Ned, Conseil, and Aronnax are thrown overboard while the disabled frigate drifts away. While clinging to wreckage, Aronnax and Conseil come upon a metal vessel and realize the monster is a man-made "submerging boat" that appears deserted. Below deck, Aronnax finds a large viewport and witnesses an underwater funeral, while Ned arrives on an overturned longboat from their ship.
Spotted by the divers, Ned, Aronnax, and Conseil attempt to leave in the longboat, but they are captured. The vessel's captain introduces himself asCaptain Nemo, master of theNautilus. He returns Ned and Conseil to the deck while offering Aronnax the chance to stay. After Aronnax proves willing to die with his companions as the ship submerges, Nemo allows Ned and Conseil to remain aboard. He explains that he has intentionally withdrawn from civilization, and that the sea provides all he needs. Arronax is amazed by Nemo's discoveries and inventions, including the advanced technology of theNautilus and the crew's ability to harvest an abundance of sea creatures for food.
TheNautilus arrives at apenal colony island, where prisoners are loading a munitions ship. Nemo, who was once a prisoner there, rams the ship and destroys it. Nemo tells Aronnax that he has just saved thousands from death in war, and that "this hated nation" tortured his wife and son to death while attempting to force him to reveal his discoveries. In Nemo's cabin, Ned and Conseil discover the coordinates of Nemo's secret island base, Vulcania, where theNautilus is now heading. Hoping to be rescued, Ned loads bottles with the coordinates and throws them overboard.
Off the coast ofNew Guinea, theNautilus becomes stranded on a reef. Nemo allows Ned to go ashore with Conseil, ostensibly to collect specimens, while admonishing them to stay on the beach. Ned instead goes exploring for avenues of escape, and finds human skulls posted on stakes. Ned runs back to Conseil, and they row away pursued by cannibals. Aboard theNautilus, the cannibals are repelled by electrical charges sent through its hull, and Nemo confines Ned for disobeying orders.
A warship fires upon theNautilus, which descends into the depths, attracting agiant squid. After an electric charge fails to repel the creature, Nemo and his men surface to fight it off. Nemo is caught by one of its tentacles, and Ned, having escaped from captivity, fatally harpoons it. He then saves Nemo, who had been pulled into the sea. Having had a change of heart, Nemo decides to make amends with human civilization.
TheNautilus enters Vulcania through an underwater passage to avoid the warships that now surround it. Nemo rushes ashore to activate a time bomb, which will destroy all evidence of his discoveries, but he is shot and mortally wounded as he returns onboard. Nemo announces that he will be sinking with the ship, and the crew agrees to accompany him.
Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned are confined to their cabins. Ned, refusing to be part of the suicide pact, escapes and brings the submarine to the surface. TheNautilus strikes a reef, and begins to flood. Nemo dies while viewing his beloved undersea domain through the hull's viewport.
Aronnax tries to retrieve his journal, but the urgency of their escape obliges Ned to knock him unconscious and carry him out. Aboard a skiff, the three companions witness Vulcania explode. AsNautilus sinks, Nemo's last words to Aronnax echo: "There is hope for the future. And when the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass... in God's good time."
Walt Disney first expressed interest in an adaptation ofJules Verne'sTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas after seeing some marine footage and storyboards created byHarper Goff during the production of theTrue-Life Adventures series. At the time, the film rights were owned byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer andKing Brothers Productions. The film was originally conceived as an animated feature.[5] In November 1950, film producerSid Rogell announced he had acquired the screen rights to the novel, as well as a film adaptation prepared byRobert L. Lippert's production company. He had planned to start filming within a year at theGeneral Service Studios.[6] In December 1951, it was reported that Disney had purchased the film rights from Rogell.[7] Goff's storyboards and art designs formed the film's basis.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was filmed at locations inThe Bahamas andJamaica, with the cave scenes filmed beneath what is now theXtabi Resort on the cliffs ofNegril.[5] Other scenes were photographed inNassau,Lyford Cay (where the 1916 version was filmed), andDeath Valley. Filming took place between January 11 and June 19, 1954.[5][8] According to the two-disc DVD documentary, the scenes in San Francisco at the beginning were filmed atUniversal Studios while most of the modeling shots were done at20th Century Fox.[9][Note 1]
Some of the location filming sequences were so complex that they required a technical crew of more than 400 people. The production presented many other challenges. The famous giant squid attack sequence had to be entirely re-shot, as it was originally filmed as taking place at dusk and in a calm sea.[9][Note 2] The sequence was filmed again, this time taking place at night and during a humongous thunderstorm, both to increase the drama and to better hide the cables and other mechanical workings of the animatronic squid.[10]
Its total cost has been reported as $5 million[1] and $9 million respectively but,[11] either way,20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the most expensive and ambitious production mounted by Disney up to that time.[11]
The film was praised as faithfully adapting the novel. James W. Maertens writes that while this is true, "Close comparison of the novel and film reveals many changes, omissions, even reversals, which affect the story's fundamental concern (besides scientific education), a representation of class and gender, specifically masculinity, in the industrial age."Captain Nemo (James Mason)'s submarine theNautilus, battery-powered in the novel, is powered byatomic energy in the film. The novel's submarine is also a "streamlined, cigar shaped sub" while the film's is "a more ornate vessel".[5]
The film's director and screenwriter extracted "the most memorable scenes from the novel and freely reordered them under the assumption that viewers would not remember the novel's order of events." Goff and Disney based theNautilus's design in the film on the interior of theForth Bridge.[5] In the novel, Nemo orders parts from various industries, secretly shipping them to an island for assembly, whom Maertens labeled "a logistical genius at manipulatingIndustrial Age manufacturing".[12]
Rather than an authentic soundtrack recording of the film'sscore or dialogue, twovinyl studio cast record albums were released to coincide with the film's first two releases in 1954 and 1963. Both albums contained condensed and heavily altered versions of the film's script, without the usage of any of the film's cast for character voices. Both albums were narrated by Ned Land as opposed to Pierre Aronnax, who narrated the film and the original novel. Neither album mentioned Nemo as actually being "cracked" (i.e. insane), as the film does, and considerably sanitized the character by omitting any mention of him killing anyone. The albums had Nemo surviving at the end and releasing Ned, Arronax, and Conseil out of gratitude for their saving his life.[13] In this version, Ned, Aronnax and Conseil were not shipwrecked because the Nautilus rammed the ship they were on, but because a hurricane came up.[14]
The first album was issued in 1954 in conjunction with the film's original release, and starredWilliam Redfield as the voice of Ned. This album, a book-and-record set, was issued as part ofRCA Victor'sLittle Nipper series on two 45-RPM records.[15][better source needed] The second album, released byDisneyland Records in 1963 in conjunction with the film's first re-release,[16][deprecated source] was issued on one 331⁄3 RPM 12-inchLP with no accompanying booklet and no liner notes – the usual practice with most Disneyland label albums. It contained much more of the film's plot, but with many of the same alterations as the first album, so this recording was technically a remake of the earlier one. The cast for the 1963 album was uncredited. Neither album listed the film's credits or made any mention of the film's cast.
A single for the film's most memorable song "A Whale of a Tale", written byNorman Gimbel andAl Hoffman and sung byKirk Douglas, was released in 1954 under theDecca Children's Series label. According to Douglas, the recording was "very popular at the time".[17] The song "And the Moon Grew Brighter and Brighter", which Douglas had sung in the movieMan Without a Star, written by Lou Singer andJimmy Kennedy, was theB-side. Both songs can be found on the 2008 digital release of the film's soundtrack.[18] In the film,Johann Sebastian Bach'sToccata and Fugue in D minor is played by Nemo on the Nautilus's organ, but James Mason's playing is actually dubbed by an anonymous organist.
In January 2008, Walt Disney Records released a 26-trackdigital album containing the music ofPaul Smith's original soundtrack score to20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, plus both sides of the "A Whale of a Tale" single, and adigital booklet companion that explores the music of the film. This was the first official release of the film score and was initially available only through theiTunes Store.[18][19] Intrada released the same soundtrack on CD in 2011.[20] The music for20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was composed by Paul Smith, withJoseph Dubin acting as the orchestrator.
On September 15, 1954,Variety reported thatDisney andRKO Pictures had begun discussions on the distribution plans for20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.[21] A week later, it was reported that Disney decided to end his 17-year association with RKO, choosing instead to release the film through his newly formed distribution arm,Buena Vista Distribution. Overseas, the film was distributed by Walt Disney British Films Ltd, a studio-owned subsidiary in the UK, and other local distributors in international territories.[22]
On December 23, 1954, the film premiered at theAstor Theatre. It was released in 65 key cities across the United States two days later, on Christmas Day.[23] The film was re-released in theaters in 1963 and 1971.[8]
In September 1980,20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was made available for purchase or rental onvideocassette, among other Disney films.[24] In 1992, Scott MacQueen, then-senior manager of Disney's library restoration, did an extensive digital restoration for the film's videocassette release.[8]
In May 2003, the film was released on a two-disc DVD set with supplemental features, including anaudio commentary, deleted scenes (including the original squid fight albeit without sound), and an extensive making-of documentary. On the same day, the film was screened at theEl Capitan Theatre, withRichard Fleischer introducing the film.[25] A1080p HD version from a4K restoration was released oniTunes in 2014.[26] In 2019, the film was released on Blu-ray via the Disney Movie Club. The film was made available to stream onDisney+ when the service launched in November 2019.[27]
During its opening weekend,20,000 Leagues Under the Sea opened in second place at the box office behindThere's No Business Like Show Business (1954).[28] On its third weekend, the film became the number-one box office film in the United States, displacingVera Cruz (1954).[29] It was dethroned byVera Cruz on its fourth weekend, but the film reclaimed the number-one position on its fifth weekend.[30] By January 1956, the film had earned $8 million indistributor rentals at the box office from the United States and Canada,[31] becomingthe third highest-grossing film of 1954. Another account put its initial rentals in the US and Canada at $6,607,000.[32]
Bosley Crowther ofThe New York Times stated that, "As fabulous and fantastic as anything he has ever done in cartoons is Walt Disney's 'live action' movie made fromJules Verne's20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Turned out inCinemaScope and color, it is as broad, fictitiously, as it is long (128 minutes), and should prove a sensation—at least with the kids."[33]
Pauline Kael wondered if the film would have been such a success had Kirk Douglas not been there to "destroy the illusion of the nineteenth century."[34]
Gene Arneel ofVariety praised the film as "a special kind of picture making, combining photographic ingenuity, imaginative story telling and fiscal daring." He felt "Richard Fleischer's direction keeps the Disney epic moving at a smart clip, picking up interest right from the start and deftly developing each of the many tense moments ...Earl Felton's screenplay looks to be a combination of the best in the Verne original and new material to suit the screen form. It's a fine job of writing stimulating pic fare. Technical credits — underline the water photography — are excellent."[35]
Kate Cameron of theNew York Daily News praised the film as a "thrilling and absorbing adaptation"; she further wrote: "Richard Fleischer handled the direction of the film with vivid imagination. The underwater scenes are fascinating in their eerie beauty and the interesting glimpses they contain of marine life."[36]
Philip K. Scheuer, reviewing for theLos Angeles Times, wrote: "Technically the film is a marvel itself, with actual underwater shot made in the Bahamas alternating with surface scale models that defy detection as such." He also praised Mason's performance, claiming "he lends depth and dimension to the stock figure of the 'mad genius.' The proof: he sometimes seems more pitied than scorned."[37]Harrison's Reports wrote: "Expertly utilizing the CinemaScope medium andTechnicolor photography, he [Walt Disney] and his staff have fashioned a picture that is not only a masterpiece from the production point of view but also a great entertainment, the kind that should go over in a big way with all types of audiences."[38] A review in theChicago Tribune wrote, "Produced with care, in handsome color and peppered with humor, it's a nicely balanced dose of old supposition and modern fact."[39]
Contemporary film critic Steve Biodrowski said that the film is "far superior to the majority of genre efforts from the period (or any period, for that matter), with production design and technical effects that have dated hardly at all." Biodrowski also added that the film "may occasionally succumb to some of the problems inherent in the source material (the episodic nature does slow the pace), but the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses, making this one of the greatest science-fiction films ever made."[40]
One reviewer gave the film five out of five, praising the film for its "story, dialogue, acting and overall bonhomie."[41] Mark Bourne praised "its elaborate special effects and art direction, the faultless performances (especially Mason's), and unbeatable deep-sea adventure storytelling" However, he thought the portrayals of the natives to be "stereotypical".[42] Jason Seiver praised the film's story, setting, and visuals but criticized the humor.[43]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 91% based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 7.70/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "One of Disney's finest live-action adventures,20,000 Leagues Under the Sea brings Jules Verne's classic sci-fi tale to vivid life, and features an awesome giant squid."[44]
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Academy Awards[45] | Best Art Direction – Color | John Meehan,Emile Kuri | Won |
| Best Special Effects | John Hench,Joshua Meador | ||
| Best Film Editing | Elmo Williams | Nominated | |
| National Board of Review Awards 1954[46] | Top Ten Films | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Won |
| Saturn Awards[47] | Best DVD Classic Film Release | Nominated | |
| Online Film & Television Association Awards[48] | Hall of Fame – Motion Picture | Inducted | |
The film's primary art directorHarper Goff, who designed the fictitiousNautilus submarine, was not a member of the Art Directors Union. Therefore, under a bylaw within theAcademy of Motion Pictures, he was unable to receive his Academy Award for Art Direction.[49]
Disneyland used the original sets as a walk-through attraction from 1955 to 1966.Walt Disney World Resort'sMagic Kingdom also had adark ride named20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage from 1971 to 1994 which consisted of a submarine ride, complete with the giant squid attack, and an arrangement of the main theme from the 1954 film playing on Captain Nemo's organ in the background. For this ride, voice artistPeter Renaday stood in for James Mason in the role of Captain Nemo.[53]
In 1994, a walkthrough attraction opened atDisneyland Paris, namedLes Mystères du Nautilus.[54] In 2001, a dark ride was created atTokyo DisneySea.[55] The exterior toThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure contains a silhouette of theNautilus in a rock wall.[56] Thetiki barTrader Sam's Grog Grotto atDisney's Polynesian Village Resort serves a cocktail called the "Nautilus"[57] which is served in a stylized drinking vessel resembling the submarine,[58] and features a dive helmet and a mechanical squid tentacle that pours liquor behind the bar.[59]
In January 2009,Variety reported that a live-action remake titled20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo was being planned withMcG attached to direct. The film served as an origin story for Captain Nemo, as he builds his warship, theNautilus.[62] McG had remarked that it would be "much more in keeping with the spirit of the novel" than Richard Fleischer's film, in which it would reveal "what Aronnax is up to and the becoming of Captain Nemo, and how the man became at war with war itself". It was written by Bill Marsilli, with Justin Marks andRandall Wallace brought in to do rewrites.[63] The film was to be produced bySean Bailey with McG'sWonderland Sound and Vision.[64]
McG once suggested that he wantedWill Smith as Captain Nemo, but he reportedly turned down the part.[65][66] As a second possible choice, McG had mentionedSam Worthington, with whom he worked onTerminator Salvation (2009), though they did not hold serious discussions. In November 2009, the project was shelved by then-Walt Disney Pictures chairmanRich Ross, after $10 million had been spent on pre-production work. Prior to the announcement, McG and Bailey had been notified of the project's cancellation.[67]
During the 2010San Diego Comic-Con, directorDavid Fincher announced plans of directing20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for Walt Disney Pictures based on a script byScott Z. Burns.[68] While Fincher was wrapping upThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), it was speculated that20,000 Leagues Under the Sea would enter principal photography by late 2012.[69] In the meantime, Fincher began courtingBrad Pitt to play the role of Ned Land while the film was kept on hold.[70] In February 2013, it was announced that Pitt had officially turned down the role.[71]
In April 2013, it was announced that the Australian government would provide a one-off incentive of $20 million in order to secure the production.[72] Despite this, the film was put on hold again the following month due to complications in casting a lead.[73] In July 2013, Fincher dropped out to direct thefilm adaptation ofGone Girl.[74] Fincher revealed in an interview that he left the film because he wantedChanning Tatum for Ned Land, but Disney wantedChris Hemsworth for the role.[75] Additionally, the money originally allocated for the production of this film was redirected towardsPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).[76]
In February 2016, Disney announced that it was planning a live-action film titledCaptain Nemo, withJames Mangold directing.[77] Mangold left the project to instead directIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023).[78]
In August 2021, it was announced that a ten-episode miniseries titledNautilus was in development. The series will be an origin story about Captain Nemo and will be written by James Dormer, who will co-produce with Johanna Devereaux.[79] In November 2021,Shazad Latif was cast in the lead role whileMichael Matthews will direct the series.[80] In August 2023, Disney pulled out from the project due to its cost-reduction strategy to its streaming platforms.[81] In October 2023, theAMC television channel acquired the series and began airing it on June 29, 2025.[82]
Sketches include "Hillary Clinton's Investment Tips," "Majestic Caribbean Cruise Line," "Inhibited Dance Party USA," "The Giulianis at Opening Day," "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea," "CBS Sunday Morning," "Something Smells Good in Stinkville" (three parts), "Captain Jim & Pedro at Footlocker," "Captain Jim & Pedro Books," and "I Am A Man."
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| National | |
