TCM Film Festival Review: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Earlier this month, I had a chance to attend the TCM Film Festival to enjoy a screening of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which is something I couldn’t help but be excited about! This was the first full length, live action Disney movie that had been released by Buena Vista, which was a big step for Disney back in 1954. For me, I grew up watching 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on a 25″ tube TV, in full screen, standard definition VHS. So suffice to say, I jumped at the chance to finally see it on a the big screen, and at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on top of that. It was something very, very exciting for me. Before the movie started, we were given a great privilege of having the movie introduced by none other than Ned Land himself, Kirk Douglas. What an exciting and monumental event for me, being in the presence of one of the greatest living legends of Hollywood. He even sang a bit of “A Whale of a Tale”, which made the crowd go crazy. After Douglas exited, we were treated to a brand new digital print of the film, and it looked nothing short of gorgeous!

This movie never looked better for me, and as the movie opened on the familiar shot of the classic Jules Verne novel of the same name, I was whisked away in the adventure I’d known all too well for many years. For those unfamiliar with the story of the book or movie, it follows the adventure of sailor Ned Land, Professor Pierre Arounax (Paul Lukas), and Pierre’s assistant Conseil (Peter Lorre), as they go on a search for a fabled sea monster that has been attacking different sea vessels during their voyages. But what the trio soon discovers, is that it may not in fact be a creature at all, but an underwater ship captained by a man named Nemo (James Mason), who has become a self made outcast, and is bent on trying to change the world in his own way.

20,000 Leagues has always been a personal favorite of mine, and getting to see the movie on the big screen, and with such a beautiful new print, was absolutely incredible. It’s still one of the best examples of adventure films in cinema, which is incredible considering how long ago the film was made. But that just goes to show not only the timelessness of the tale, but the magic that Disney could bring to his films. It’s the way he made his movies that has made so many of them just as great now as they were when they came out, becoming endearing classics for so many. Kirk Douglas just shines as the role of Ned, and it was here that you would see what a great career he would have for many years soon. It wasn’t until this last viewing of the movie that I realized that had someone made a Popeye movie when Douglas was still young and in his prime, he would have been perfect for the character. I now hear and see that character as Kirk Douglas in my head.

Really, the great thing about 20,000 Leagues isn’t just Douglas, but the whole cast. I’ve always loved Mason’s Nemo, who I consider one of the best villains in cinema history. He’s just so entrancing as the character, which makes him so much fun to watch on screen. And I’ve always loved Peter Lorre as well, who starts out a bit as bumbling, but becomes somewhat of an unsung hero by the end. His character Conseil is so fleshed out and really changes by the end, he’s one of the best sidekicks in film history for that reason. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about 20,000 Leagues, and I’m so glad that I go to experience it for the first time on the big screen, in all its glory, with a brand spanking new transfer. I really hope this gets a blu-ray release soon, because I need to add this one to my collection, it would look great! I can’t wait to see what the TCM Film Festival will have next year, and I really look forward to attending it again.

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