Released in 1961 I can still recall the first time I saw any
portion of this movie. It was a Thanksgiving night and as we prepared to go
downtown to look at the windows decorated for Christmas that would be unveiled
that evening this movie was playing on the television. I was torn between
wanting to watch the film or going with my family to look at those marvelous
windows. But being around 5 years old the decision was made for me and it would
be a few years until I finally got to see the movie. Keep in mind this was
before there were VCRs or DVDs. Watching it now in what is the best
presentation I’ve seen from Twilight Time, I went back to being that 5 year old
all over again, smiling non-stop from start to finish.
Something else needs to be said about that time period as
well. The movies of master stop-motion effects artist Ray Harryhausen were
movies that kids waited for when they were being released. These movies were
our STAR WARS, movies whose special effects dazzled and amazed us. This may be
hard to imagine for kids grown used to the CGI effects of today. But at the
time these movies were the top of the line when it came to effects.
The movie is based on the novel by Jules Verne and tells the
tale of a group of Union soldiers who escape from a Confederate prison by
stealing a hot air balloon tied in the center of the camp during the worst
storm of the decade. Along with them are a Confederate soldier and a newspaper
man from up north. The winds carry the balloon for days until they near an
island with no clue where they are, separated as the drop into the sea just
short of the shoreline.
As they wake and find one another only Capt. Harding is
missing. A plume of smoke in the distance leads the group to find him lying
near a fire on the beach. They assume the captain woke long enough to make the
fire but how could he have done so with no matches and unconscious? This
becomes the first of many mysteries they encounter.
As they set about making shelter and looking for food
they’re attacked by a giant crab which they fend off, rescuing one of their
crew from its claws. Falling into a hot spring the crab provides a tasty meal
for the group before they head out to scout the island. When they do they find
a shore close enough to the tree line they intend to use to build a boat. They
also find an elevated cave that holds the skeleton of a man left long ago by
pirates along with his diary and a few items they can use.
More happens as the film progresses including the discovery
of two women whose boat sank while coming into shore, several other giant
creatures and a certain captain that many will recognize in what turned out to
be a sequel to another of Jules Verne’s most famous book. All of this is
presented in high quality style and fashion with some of the most eye popping
effects work done at the time. The story is solid, the action fuel injected and
the entire production is top of the line.
As is always the case I sing the praises of Twilight Time
once again. Their presentation here is the best I’ve seen for this film and I
already own at least one of those old versions. Having released it once before
(which sold out in no time flat) they’re releasing it again in this encore
edition so if you missed out last time don’t hesitate, order it today. Extras
include an isolated score track, an audio commentary with film historians
Randall William Cook, C. Courtney Joyner and Steven Smith, a featurette with
Ray Harryhausen on Mysterious Island, another featurette Islands of Mystery,
several TV spots, and the theatrical trailers.
Click here to order.
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