Customer Reviews

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (with Movie Cash)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Few knew when Jules Verne was writing his futuristic novels in the 19th century that such entertaining page-turners would foretell so much reality. In this 1997 adaptation of Verne's '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' the screenwriter (Brian Nelson) and director Rod Hardy have elected to pay homage to the scientific aspects of the thriller rather than make the story into a cartoon. And though it is a long song (3 hours), it plays well and introduces some fine special effects and philosophical statements about environmental issues, slavery, feminism, familial relationships, and commitment to dreams. Not bad for a Sci-Fi novel!

The cast is solid: Patrick Dempsey makes a wholesome, handsome Pierre Arronax, Bryan Brown as the driven sailor Ned Land, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is excellent as Cabe Attucks (nice to see this fine actor in a role far different than the one he played on the TV series 'Oz'), John Bach is the arrogant father Thierry Arronax, and Mia Sara serves up the beefed up role of Mara nicely. But the submarine mysterious ship Nautilus surfaces or sinks at the hands of Captain Nemo and while Michael Caine isn't the embodiment of evil we so often see, he finds the soul of the driven scientist whose goal is to protect the 'surface' he has forsaken to scuttle the seas in search of ways to stop future earthquakes topside.

Originally made as a mini-series for television in 1997, the movie for sails along, holding our attention and fascination for the full three hours, not only because we care about the characters, but also because we are treated to some spectacular underwater sequences and a Nautilus that is as elegant a vessel as Verne described. And yes, Captain Nemo still plays the pipe organ as part of the musical score. The script gets a bit on the corny side, especially in the areas of father son relationships, and the unnecessary spin on romances that seem to be de rigueur in keeping an audiences attention. But in the end this is an entertaining interpretation of the Jules Verne classic that still stimulates our thinking and challenges our concepts of environmental concerns. Grady Harp, May 06

This isn't just a movie; it's a ride on the Nautilus. There is no comparison between this version and the Disney one; they are two completely different entities. This version is much more intelligent and mature. The characters are treated with respect and portrayed believably by an incredible cast. Everything on the ship and in the underwater scenes are pure eye-candy.

This mini series may not be as popular as " The Odyssey" or " Merlin". In fact, many people may not recall it because it recieved a poor rating. But this version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is the first mini series I can remember sitting all the way through and enjoying it. I think part of the reason it was rated so poorly is because it was compared to the Kirk Douglas film of the same name. I am one of those people who are strongly against comparing so called "remakes". Pretend you have never seen the original and just enjoy the movie for what it is. Michael Caine (Batman Begins), Patrick Dempsey (Scream 3), and Mia Sara (Legend) are 3 good reasons to at the very least give this mini series a shot. I am not saying that everyone will like this movie, but how will you know if you don't try it out? It may be a future addition to your DVD collection.

I watched this movie when it originally aired on TV, and it inspired me to want to read the book. I had only seen the Disney movie before, but not since I was a little kid so I didn't really remember it. The book ended up being really different, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying this movie. The Stanley Kubrick version of The Shining doesn't have much to do with the book it's based on either, but I still love it. If you can watch this version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as it's own thing, it's actually really good. I actually always thought it was one of the best made-for-tv movies, and I wanted to see it again but they never reaired it. Finally it came out on DVD after YEARS of searching for it, and I still like it.

I don't understand all the negative reviews. I'm probably going to get attacked for this, but I actually like this better than the Disney movie, which I watched again not long after this aired. The Disney movie feels to me like a travelogue and has minimal story. This version has a better story and a more climactic ending. There's more happening. It's darker, edgier. There's more character development, and a couple new characters (Nemo's daughter, played by Mia Sara), which may make some people mad but I thought it added to the story. One of the criticisms I've heard people make of Jules Verne is that he wasn't very good at writing women. All the same themes and ideas are here, some of them are just presented in a different way. The special effects aren't as good as I remembered, they look kind of cheap, but halfway through the movie you stop noticing because you're drawn into the story.

Anyway, give it a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has been adapted many times for television. Some of these film interpretations have been wonderful, and others are plain trash.

Regarding THIS version (with Michael Caine, Patrick Dempsey, and Mia Sara), the greatest positive I was able to find is that the film does have some action packed moments and makes the veiwer feel sorry for Captain Nemo (and sympathize with his cause).

However, the name of the film, a captain called Nemo, a ship-sinking submarine, a professor called Arronax, a harponer named Ned Land, and a lot of angry sentiment about the world above the ocean are basically the only things the novel and this film have in common.

In short, if you want a more accurate telling of the novel, purchase the classic Disney version (starring Kirk Douglas & James Mason). However, if you do not mind being surprise with a different rising action and climax, than this 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be just the adaptation for you.

If someone thinks he/she can write a better plot than Jules Verne, PLEASE put some thought into it and do not offend our intelligence with this kind of story. A young Arronax that is envied by his dad? C'mon, guys, this is not 'The Bold and the Beautiful'! . Michael Caine and Brian Brown just manage to redeem this flick. Surely scriptwriters can do better that this!!

AHOY MATES
INSULT YE INTELLIGENCE !
THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S 20,000 LEAGUES.
THIS IS NOT EVEN JULES VERNE'S 20,000 LEAGUES?
SEE IDEAS STOLEN FROM JULES VERNE TURNED INTO PYSHCO-BABBLE!

At this time if I were to warn the uninitated, I could only compare it to a seemingly authentic imported cigar; innocent until the first puff when a strange stink is unleashed and if one continues to puff away will undoubtedly find that it blows up IN YOUR FACE leaving both tears of laughter and utter disbelief that you
did not recognise immediatley that it was a ruse to be for the best avoided.

Protracted and tedious, this American TV adaptation is short on imagination and long on (tiresome) screen minutage. The effects work is weak, as is the charmless script. The only saving graces are some nice production design, especially the Nautilus' interior, and another spirited performance by Michael Caine, who is always a class act. However, despite Caine's performance, this rates a poor second to the Ben Cross version, also available through Amazon. That isn't great either, but at least isn't so retina-scorchingly long.

I FOUND THIS DVD TO BE BETTER THAN OTHER EDITIONS OF 20,000 LEAQUES UNDER THE SEA. THE CONTENT IS MORE DETAILED THEN THE ORIGINAL VERSIONS. IF YOU LIVE SEA ACTION THIS IS IT.

I was seeking for that movie for a year,now , Now I have it at a good price from this supplier.