20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see early silent era production of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

An epic silent-era retelling of the beloved original novel by Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an impressive silent production which is best remembered as being an early showcase for underwater photography. The production is regarded by many as the first feature-film with underwater sequences (showing sharks, fish, and other sea-dwelling creatures). Fans of Verne will find it to be a curious adaptation well worth checking out.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea explores the journey of Capt. Nemo (Allen Holubar) as he rescues naval passengers who come in to contact with his mysterious submarine. As Capt. Nemo meets some new acquaintances, the storyline unfolds. A cutting-edge production at the time, this 1916 retelling of the tale explores both a journey under-the-sea and a odyssey to land (and incorporates certain elements from Verne's The Mysterious Island). As a child of nature (Jane Gail) is met on land, the mysterious world finds new mystery and intrigue. A bold adventure awaits.

For an early silent production, so much depended on the actors and their ability to be expressive in their respective roles. Allen Holubar is impressive in the role of Capt. Nemo. The actor brings a sort of zany uniqueness to each scene he is in. The part is exaggerated but entertaining to watch. Holubar was a fine pick for the part and he gives the role his all.

The black and white cinematography by Eugene Gaudio (The Man Who Stayed at Home, The House of Gold) is worth commending. Given that the production was extremely ambitious for the time-period, there is something noteworthy about the photography and the way in which Gaudio worked with the team responsible for the underwater photography.

One giant leap for cinema.

Under the direction of underwater director Herzl Effensachs (Mutiny on the Bounty, The Buccaneer), who helped manage the under-sea production, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is compelling for its early advances in showcasing sea dwelling creatures. The underwater photography by George M. Williamson and J. Ernest Williamson (who also collaborated on The Mysterious Island) is an example of some of the early pioneering efforts made for underwater photography and the end results are in the final cut. Seeing sharks, fish, and other sea-dwelling specimen swimming around outside of the submarine is remarkable given the age of the production. At over 100 years old, it is amazing to see these early examples.

The art direction by Frank Ormston (Heroes and Husbands, The Isle of Retribution) is another element that stands out as impressive after all these years. The production showcases the interior of a submarine with the window cut-outs for the under-the-water visuals. The effort makes an impression. The on land scenes (with elements from Mysterious Island) are also creative.

This presentation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea features a music score composed by Orlando Perez Rosso (Wishing Box, Los Otros). The music seems to fit the tone of the filmmaking well. This was a solid effort and it fits the visuals on display.

Adapted and directed by Stuart Paton (The Hope Diamond Mystery, The Man Who Married His Own Wife), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an early example of filmmakers paving the way for future filmmakers. If it were not for ambitious undertakings such as this one, the medium would never have grown and developed to where it is today. The efforts are appreciated. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is good fun. Worth a watch.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in a theatrical aspect ratio of 1.35:1 full frame. The feature-film arrives on Blu-ray with a stunning new 4K restoration which was derived from a 35mm nitrate print of the film. The restoration to 4K was conducted by Universal Pictures. The presentation is generally quite impressive and satisfactory.

The print isn't in flawless condition but the 4K scan has helped the film to be more vivid an detailed. There are many sequences which are more engaging thanks to the crisp level of detail found in the 4K restoration. The image is never too soft or obscured looking. There are never any egregious issues with regards to scratches, burn marks, and other distracting issues. The English intertitles are well-reproduced and easy to read.

If there is one area where the print looks a little underwhelming at times, it is the underwater scenes. The original photography was limited by technology (this was one of the earliest productions to even feature underwater photography). Given the age of the materials for these under-the-sea scenes, there are more examples of thin scratches and these scenes look less crisp than the scenes filmed on stages and land. Nonetheless, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an impressive experience and the 4K scan gives the filmmaking some new life.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. As 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a silent feature, there is no dialogue or talking throughout the mix. However, the silent film score has impressive clarity and depth. The soundstage is surprisingly crisp and dynamic. The music fits the filmmaking quite well. A crisp, modern, and impressive score that fits the tone of the film and gives viewers a unique experience. (The English intertitles are also well preserved.)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by film historian Anthony Slide

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an early silent production which is best known for showcasing early underwater photography. The production is surprisingly ambitious for the time-period. Fans of early silent-era cinema would be remiss to overlook this production. While the visuals might seem dated compared to modern Hollywood, if it were not for filmmakers like Paton we would never have been able to advance the medium to where it is today. An entertaining classic that deserves new life on Blu-ray. Highly recommended.