Jules Verne Movies
- 2002
This animated adaptation of Jules Verne's classic story 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea. The story involves a girl who pretends to be a boy in order to sneak onto the Nautilus, a ship led by Captain Nemo, who forces the girl to make a momentous decision when he discovers her on the vessel. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
The second of two network-TV adaptations of Jules Verne's speculative 1868 novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this two-part ABC version originally aired on May 11 and 12, 1997, some two months after CBS's shorter -- and infinitely more faithful -- version. The year is 1886, and an unknown "creature" is terrorizing the high seas, causing merchant vessels to vanish without a trace. Enlisted by the U.S. government to find out what's really going on, oceanographer Pierre Arronax (Patrick Dempsey) and rough-hewn whaler Ned Land (Bryan Brown) set sail for uncharted waters. Ultimately, they are captured by the insane but honorably motivated Captain Nemo (Michael Caine), the inventor of the high-teach submarine Nautilus. This much can be found in the original novel. The rest of the film has less to do with Jules Verne than its does with the popularity of such theatrical features as Star Wars and Titanic, not to mention the then-prevalent specter of political correctness. Because he wants nothing more out of life than to slaughter whales, Verne's nominal hero Ned Land is transformed into the main villain -- while Pierre Arronax comes off none too sympathetically himself, depicted in an early scene as a wanton womanizer who sleeps with his own father's mistress. Also, a bit of gratuitous romance is thrown into the proceedings, with Captain Nemo suddenly acquiring a daughter, and another woman joining the storyline when the Nautilus makes a side trip to the lost city of Atlantis. Finally, what with Verne's good guys turning bad and Captain Nemo clearly certifiable, a new "hero" is introduced in the form of African-American crewman Cabe Attucks (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje). Oh, and did we mention that Nemo is actually a half-cyborg and a former Indian prince? This "new and improved" 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is only slightly less ridiculous than the 1916 silent film version, which also managed to add a love interest and a spectacular "flashback" sequence straight out of 1001 Arabian Nights. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Patrick Dempsey, (more)
- 1996
Michael Anderson directed this TV movie version of Jules Verne's oft-adapted science fiction classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Richard Crenna stars as Henry Aronnax, a marine biologist, who, along with his crew, must confront the maniacal genius Captain Nemo (Ben Cross), helmsman of the Nautilus. Paul Gross and Julie Cox also star. This film should not be confused with the other 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea TV movie that aired the same year and starred Michael Caine and Patrick Dempsey. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Crenna
This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American-filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble-shooting 19th century seaman, trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre, Douglas sets sail to investigate--and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo (James Mason), who skippers a lavish, scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects, including a giant squid, were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, James Mason, (more)
The 1916 silent version of Jules Vernes' 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was "sold" on the basis of its advanced underwater photography, the handiwork of the legendary Williamson Brothers. The film's storyline combines elements from both 20,000 Leagues and another Verne novel, Mysterious Island. Towards the end of the film the power-mad Captain Nemo, whose futuristic submarine is the film's centerpiece, explains why he has come to hate mankind--which segues into an elaborate flashback sequence set in India, which seems to have been concocted by Rudyard Kipling. The cost of this film was so astronomical that it could not possibly post a profit, putting the kibosh on any subsequent Verne adaptations for the next 12 years. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is available today in a tinted print, which has been somewhat truncated due to film-stock deterioration. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
In this jungle adventure, based on a Jules Verne novel, Spunky Minha, was born and raised in the Amazon jungle on her father's hemp plantation. After she agrees to marry Dr. Manuel Valdez, they decide to hold the wedding in Brazil so his sickly mother can be there. Unfortunately, the girl's father hestitates to make the long, dangerous journey downstream because years before he was convicted for a crime and was sentenced to die. Though innocent, he does not want to face Brazilian justice and so changed his name and created his own jungle world on the plantation. Despite all this, he decides he will be there at the wedding. They set off on a great raft and during the journey face many dangers including deadly natives, snakes, piranhas, gators, fierce storms and a greedy bounty hunter who wants to blackmail Juan. The extortionist knows that Juan is innocent and carries with him proof, but this does not stop him from demanding that Juan pay him a fortune and hand over his lovely daughter. When Juan refuses, the bounty hunter makes good his threat, leaving his daughter and the doctor to somehow prove her father's innocence. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daphne Zuniga, Barry Bostwick, (more)
- 1977
- PG
- Add A Journey to the Center of the Earth to QueueAdd A Journey to the Center of the Earth to top of Queue
This 1977 animated collaboration -- the first of many -- between Australian cartoonist Richard Slapczynski and screenwriter John Palmer -- condenses Jules Verne's epic fantasy novel into a breezy 46 minutes. The short remains faithful to Verne's basic story: in late-19th century Hamburg, Professor Lindenbrock (voiced by Ron Haddrick) and his nephew, Alex, devise a theory that the center of the Earth might not actually be hot, as commonly suggested, but rather hollow. The two journey to Iceland and into the base of an expired volcano, encountering a world of prehistoric reptiles and a subterranean ocean. Along the way, Lindenbrock seizes a pterodactyl egg, taking it with him. The journey is short-lived, however, for the two are soon propelled into the air and up through the mouth of an Italian volcano by a surge of water. Back in Hamburg, everyone seems reluctant to believe the voyagers' claims, until the pterodactyl egg hatches, definitively proving Lindenbrock's theory to everyone. Aussie animation veterans Air Programs International, Ltd. (also responsible for the 1969 Australian animated adaptation of A Christmas Carol) produced this short, which utilizes basic yet stylish and warm visual design perfectly suited for young children and preteens. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Jules Verne's famous novel of a daring man who takes on the greatest voyage in history is once again adapted for the big screen in this adventure comedy. In 1872, eccentric British inventor Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) has come up with any number of gadgets to help people travel with greater speed and ease, and is working on plans for a flying machine. In a lively discussion with Lord Kelvin (Jim Broadbent), the head of the Royal Academy of Science, Fogg states his belief that it's possible for someone to travel around the globe in a mere 80 days. Kelvin, who makes no secret of his belief that Fogg is a crackpot, challenges him to do just that, and adds a wager to the bargain to make things interesting: if Fogg can't circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, he'll give up inventing forever. Fogg takes the challenge, and teams up with his manservant, a former acrobat named Passepartout (Jackie Chan), and lovely navigator Monique (Cécile De France) to make the epic voyage -- traveling by train, boat, balloon, horseback, or any other means at their disposal. However, Fogg and his companions are dogged along the way by the false accusation that the inventor took part in a bank robbery, forcing him to not only complete the journey but clear his name as well. Like the blockbuster 1956 adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, this film features a number of major stars in cameo appearances and supporting roles as Fogg makes his way around the globe, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cleese, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Sammo Hung, Rob Schneider, Richard Branson, Mark Addy, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, (more)
Jules Verne's classic tale of adventure is brought to the screen once again in this animated adaptation. When wealthy Phileas Fogg claims that a man can travel around the world in eighty days, one of his rivals challenges him to do it himself, and places a large wager to make matters more interesting. However, as Fogg and his man servant Passepartout set out on their epic journey, they discover their enemies have gone out of their way to make matters difficult for them. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Pierce Brosnan stars as adventurer Phineas Fogg in this adaptation of Jules Verne's classic story, in which to win a wager he must travel around the globe in 80 days or less. However, Fogg has been blamed for the theft of a large amount of money, and a detective (Peter Ustinov) is hot on his trail trying to catch him before he reaches the finish line. The supporting cast includes Eric Idle, Lee Remick, Roddy McDowall, and Christopher Lee. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierce Brosnan, Eric Idle, (more)
Razzle-dazzle showman Michael Todd hocked everything he had to make this spectacular presentation of Jules Verne's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days, the second film to be lensed in the wide-screen Todd-AO production. Nearly as fascinating as the finished product are the many in-production anecdotes concerning Todd's efforts to pull the wool over the eyes of local authorities in order to cadge the film's round-the-world location shots--not to mention the wheeling and dealing to convince over forty top celebrities to appear in cameo roles. David Niven heads the huge cast as ultra-precise, supremely punctual Phileas Fogg, who places a 20,000-pound wager with several fellow members of London Reform Club, insisting that he can go around the world in eighty days (this, remember, is 1872). Together with his resourceful valet Passepartout (Cantinflas), Fogg sets out on his world-girdling journey from Paris via balloon. Meanwhile, suspicion grows that Fogg has stolen his 20,000 pounds from Bank of England. Diligent Inspector Fix (Robert Newton) is sent out by the bank's president (Robert Morley) to bring Fogg to justice. Hopscotching around the globe, Fogg pauses in Spain, where Passepartout engages in a comic bullfight (a specialty of Cantinflas). In India, Fogg and Passepartout rescue young widow Princess Aouda (Shirley MacLaine, in her third film) from being forced into committing suicide so that she may join her late husband. The threesome visit Hong Kong, Japan, San Francisco, and the Wild West. Only hours short of winning his wager, Fogg is arrested by the diligent Inspector Fixx. Though exonerated of the bank robbery charges, he has lost everything--except the love of the winsome Aouda. But salvation is at hand when Passepartout discovers that, by crossing the International Date Line, there's still time to reach the Reform Club. Will they make it? See for yourself. Among the film's 46 guest stars, the most memorable include Marlene Dietrich, Charles Boyer, Jose Greco, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lorre, Red Skelton, Buster Keaton, John Mills, and Beatrice Lillie. All were paid in barter--Ronald Colman did his brief bit for a new car. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow provides opening narration, and there's a tantalizing clip from Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon (1902). Offering a little something for everyone, Around the World in 80 Days is nothing less than an extravaganza, and it won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Niven, Cantinflas, (more)
Stranded on a deserted island after their boat is destroyed in a raging storm, a group of young boys band together against a nefarious group of shipwrecked criminals in this rousing adaptation of author Jules Verne's timeless tale of adventure. When these boys were thrust upon the sandy shores of this lonely ocean paradise, they thought that the worst was behind them. They couldn't have been further from the truth, because when yet another treacherous storm finds a ruthless gang of thieves washed up on the very same shore, the stage is set for am epic battle for supremacy from which only the most cunning and inventive of combatants will escape with their lives. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2011
Terminator Salvation's McG helms this new take on Jules Verne's Captain Nemo character from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with this family-friendly origin film. Justin Marks, Bill Marsilli, and Randall Wallace pen the script for Buena Vista. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- 1936
Visionary French novelist Jules Verne is practically a folk hero in Russia, so it stands to reason that many of the Verne movie adaptations have emanated from the USSR. Captain Grant's Children concerns the efforts by two fearless youngsters (O. Bazarova and Y. Segal) to find their long-lost sea-captain father. With a cryptic note as their only clue, the kids and a pack of adult colleagues travel halfway around the world and back again, encountering a variety of bizarre adventures that Indiana Jones might envy. Unfortunately, the film's execution isn't quite up to the concept, with a painfully phony volcano and a tinker-toy shipwreck heading the list of ineffectual special effects. Capt. Grant's Children was more elaborately remade (albeit with less fidelity to the original) by Walt Disney as In Search of the Castaways (1963). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yuri Yurev, Olga Bazanova, (more)
- 198z
In this film, a hot-air balloon is the vehicle for a wonderful adventure. As they sail across the equator, three men encounter a variety of strange and unusual sights. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- Add Festival of Family Classics: Around the World in 80 Days to QueueAdd Festival of Family Classics: Around the World in 80 Days to top of Queue
This two-part cartoon adaptation of Jules Verne's fanciful adventure novel Around the World in 80 Days was a coproduction of Canada's Rankin-Bass and Japan's Mushi Productions. The familiar story of how Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout undertake to circle the globe in 80 days is retold with remarkable fidelity, even though the scenes in which the two protagonists are seen flying in a balloon cannot be found in the Verne original, but were invented for the 1956 movie version of the same property. Not to be confused with the concurrently produced TV cartoon series of the same name, Around the World in 80 Days was first syndicated in November of 1972, as part of the 18-episode Festival of Family Classics anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Banas, Len Birman, (more)
With Five Weeks in a Balloon, 20th Century-Fox hoped to cash on the success of the studio's earlier Jules Verne adaptation Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1959). The plot is set in motion when 19th-century explorer Fergusson (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) volunteers to head a balloon expedition to claim an otherwise unreachable chunk of African territory for the British Empire. Along for the ride are reporter Donald O'Shay (Red Buttons), absent-minded professor Sir Henry Vining (Richard Haydn), Vining's assistant Jacques (Fabian) and schoolmarm Susan Gale (Barbara Eden). Along the way, the little party acquires another passenger when they rescue native girl Makia (Barbara Luna) from a slave trader. Their many near-death experiences include a run-in with evil potentate Sheik Ageiba (Henry Daniell). Other reliable characters on hand include Peter Lorre, Herbert Marshall, Reginald Owen, Mike Mazurki, and, in a dual role, sneezemaster Billy Gilbert. Since no one could be expected to take this sort of fare seriously, Five Weeks in a Balloon is played tongue-in-cheek, peppered with such overripe dialogue as "You, sir, are a cad!" and "Kismet! We are doomed!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Red Buttons, Fabian, (more)
- 1958
The resurgence of interest in Jules Verne following the release of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) led to a brief cycle of Verne-based films. Produced in Mexico by Benedict Bogeaus, From the Earth to the Moon stars Joseph Cotten as eccentric Civil War-era scientist Victor Barbicane. Claiming to have invented a source of "infinite energy" called Power X, Barbicane is able to secure financing for a rocket trip to the moon. Along for the ride is Barbicane's bitter enemy, Stuyvesant Nicholl (George Sanders), who feels that Barbicane is violating the laws of God and nature with his extraterrestrial dreams. Thus, Nicholl sabotages the space vessel, setting the stage for a suspenseful finale. The requisite romantic interest is handled by Barbicane's daughter Virginia (a newly blonde Debra Paget) and his assistant Ben Sharpe (Don Dubbins). Wandering in and out of the proceedings is a mysterious bearded character known only as J.V. (Carl Esmond). Hampered by a small budget, From the Earth to the Moon doesn't deliver the special effects highlights that its ad campaign implicitly promised, but the actors are convincing and the story is logically presented. Originally slated for RKO release, the film was ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Cotten, George Sanders, (more)
- 1960
In several Have Gun, Will Travel episodes, gunslinger Paladin (Richard Boone) crosses the paths of actual historical figures. This episode represents the one-and-only time that Paladin confronts a fictional character from classic literature--namely, Phileas Fogg (Patric Knowles), the unflappable globetrotting protagonist of Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days. During the American leg of his world-girdling odyssey, Fogg hires Paladin to safely guide himself, his valet Passepartout (Jon Silo) and his beautiful travelling companion Princess Aouda (Arlene McQuade) to the town of Reno, Nevada. Unfortunately, Paladin's assignment nearly ends before it begins when the tiny party arrives on the shore of a particularly treacherous river. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on Jules Verne's novel Captain Grant's Children, In Search of the Castaways is a roller-coaster of a Disney film, making up in excitement what it lacks in credibility or coherence. Hayley Mills and Keith Hamshere play the children of long-missing ship's captain Jack Gwillim. By chance, a note stuffed in a bottle comes to the attention of the kids and professor Maurice Chevalier; the note contains the fragment of a map, which suggests that Gwillim is somewhere in South America. Only after enduring a series of life-threatening adventures do Chevalier and the kids discover that they should have been in Australia all along! Once they're finally in the correct corner of the world, our protagonists are bedeviled by gunrunner George Sanders, the fellow who'd set the captain adrift. With the help of Wilfrid Brambell, a looney ex-crew member of the captain's (and the fellow who sent the bottled message), Chevalier, Mills and Hamshere are finally reunited with Gwillim--and as a bonus, Mills has found a boy friend, in the person of Michael Anderson. It's typical of the crazy-quilt approach taken by In Search of the Castaways that Maurice Chevalier decides to sing a cheery song in a moment of dire peril. Even so, the film was ideal Saturday-matinee fodder for the kiddie trade in 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maurice Chevalier, Hayley Mills, (more)
- 2008
- PG
- Add Journey to the Center of the Earth to QueueAdd Journey to the Center of the Earth to top of Queue
Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Eric Brevig makes his feature directorial debut with this adaptation of the classic Jules Verne fantasy starring Brendan Fraser. When an ambitious science professor (Fraser) develops a decidedly unconventional hypothesis, the mere mention of his name is enough to elicit laughter within the academic community. However, during a subsequent excursion to Iceland, the professor and his nephew make a major scientific discovery that sends them miles beneath the surface of the Earth, where they discover not only strange new worlds, but also encounter creatures so alien they appear to be from another world entirely. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brendan Fraser, Anita Briem, (more)
