| Mysterious Island (Widescreen) | 
| Directors: Cy Endfield, Richard Schickel
Actors: Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill, Herbert Lom
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.94
Buy New: $5.43
You Save: $14.51 (73%)
Buy New/Used from $5.43
Avg. Customer Rating:   (44 reviews)
Sales Rank: 9652
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 100 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: COLD07894D
ISBN: 076788289X
UPC: 043396078949
EAN: 9780767882897
ASIN: B00006JDRG
Release Date: October 29, 2002
Theatrical Release Date: December 20, 1961
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Island of Gigantic Creatures March 11, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Jules Verne is one of my favorite classic science fiction writers so Verne based movies are on my must-see list. In Japan Mysterious Island is not that well-known Verne stories just as Around The World In Eighty Days, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea or Adrift In The Pacific. So this 1961 movie gives me a great clue because I haven't yet read the original novel.
The story in this movie seems to blend elements of various classic adventure stories such as Defoe's "Robinson Cruisoe", Swift's "Gulliver's Travels", as well as Verne novels such as "Around The World...", "20,000 leauges..." and "Adrift In The Pacific". Special effects in this movie reminds me of "Boy I Shrank The Kids". It seems not like that the creature got bigger but humans shrank before the creatures. Special effects seems outdated viewing from CG-accustommed modernists. Yet the film is vivid because of the splendid acting particularly Captain Nemo. Cartoon like adventures galore.
Verdict: Despite its outdated F/X the movie delivers
Rating: 89 out of 100
Recommended for: Wide range of classic Sci-fi movies fans.
 Another Harrhausen Classic March 10, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
A must have film for all Harryhausen fans. Good storyline,plenty of beasts, a little romance and great action.
Good adaptation of a novel February 26, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a good adaptation of Jules Verne's novel. I saw this film when I was a kid and thus watching again reminded me of fond memories. This would be a good family film. It is a tale of survival with good visual effects (one should condition the era of production).
Mysterious Island of special effects February 24, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I originally saw this movie when I was 10 years old and I loved it. It sparked me to read the Jules Verne classic. Even though the movie and book have very little in common, I recommend both. This movie is a special effects dream. It is true they might appear a little dated now when compared to computer generated effects today, but remember that this was made in 1961. The story moves along well and quickly. The acting is competent. This is not Gone With the Wind, but it is fun entertainment.
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND February 19, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Jules Verne's tale of "Mysterious Island" comes to life in this 1961 adaption brought to the screen for us by Producer-Charles H. Schneer and Creator of Visual Effects-Ray Harryhausen. The screenplay is well written by John Prebble, Daniel Ullman and Crane Wilbur; being wonderfully directed by Cy Endfield.
The visual effects created by Ray Harryhausen are great as usual and include a Giant Crab, the Phororhacos, Giant Bees and the Cephalopod. There is a really solid cast in this film which includes Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill, and Beth Rogan. Herbert Lom delivers a fine performance as Captain Nemo. This movie was filmed in Spain and the location is quite nice. The music by Bernard Herrmann conducting the London Symphony Orchestra is absolutely fabulous, setting the tone throughout the entire movie. There are also special features, which includes "The Harryhausen Chronicles" narrated by Leonard Nimoy.
I remember being fascinated with this movie as a child growing up and always wanting more, wishing the movie would have ran a little bit longer than usual. While I love this movie and am very grateful to own it on DVD, there are some things that need to be mentioned here.
In the widescreen process, the top and the bottom of the picture are cut off, which is really weird. Note: when the movie starts showing, you will see that the bottom of the Columia Pictures statue is cut off. This movie also needs major restoration, and Columbia Pictures should not have released it without doing so. The audio is in 1.0 mono which is an insult; it should have been remastered in 5.1 surround.
To sum it up: the movie needs a major restoration and it should be remastered in 5.1 surround with an excellent anamorphic video presentation. However, it is an excellent movie and I am glad to have it on DVD. Anything that Ray Harryhausen is involved in is great!
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