20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954)

In 1868, a Navy expedition in the South Pacific is attacked and three people escape by going overboard: a harpooner (Kirk Douglas), a Professor (Paul Lukas) and his assistant (Peter Lorre). After drifting awhile, they come across the submarine that attacked their vessel. It is the Nautilus and the martinet Captain Nemo (James Mason) holds them prisoners. Based on the novel by Jules Verne and directed by Richard Fleischer (THE VIKINGS). Notable for its production design (Nemo's dwelling is a Victorian beauty) and special effects (the battle with the giant squid is still pretty impressive). Franz Planer's (BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S) cinematography makes good use of the Jamaica and Bahamas locations in the CinemaScope frame but still, at over two hours it can seem a bit long. In 1954, I'm sure the CinemaScope underwater images were awesome but today the amount of time spent on them make the movie sluggish in spots. But it's still one of the very best Jules Verne adaptations. In one of his best performances, James Mason makes for a charismatic moody Nemo and he dominates the film. With Robert J. Wilke and Ted De Corsia.