Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969)

Director: James Hill
Starring: Robert Ryan, Chuck Connors, Nanette Newman

Synopsis:
The survivors of a shipwreck are taken in by Captain Nemo in his idyllic underwater city, but they are not allowed to leave.

Impressions:
There have been a number of cinematic portrayals of Captain Nemo, so this film piqued my interest. I thought Robert Ryan was a bit of a curious casting choice, but he provides a fairly even-keeled interpretation of the character, not quite as quick to hop on his soapbox as some other versions I've seen. Compared to Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it's very different to have a duty-driven senator (played by Chuck Connors) set against him as opposed to Kirk Douglas' everyman sailor or Paul Lukas' professor. Interestingly, I don't think there's been a movie that makes Nemo's case so strongly. (Lomax, I hate you so much.) The set design for Templemer is pretty interesting, but the costuming can be a bit silly at times. It's not an outstanding movie, I admit, but I found it interesting enough to warrant a watch.

Rating:
Watch It