Rare Flix: The Amazing Captain Nemo (1978)

Pure random chance brought me to this glorious, hidden treasure.  This is the 1978 TV Movie called The Amazing Captain Nemo.  It's origins are...complicated.  The short version: 3 Writers were given one section of a Mini-Series to write called The Return of Captain Nemo.  Another Writer was placed in charge of stitching all 3 parts into one cohesive story...mostly.  One of those Writers was Robert Bloch, hence my discovery of this Film on his IMDB Page.  Now here is where things get weirder.  So the Mini-Series was 3 Hour long sections designed to sell a future Show.  No such Show exists.  When that plan failed, they decided to cut it into a Movie- the one I'm talking about here.  To do so, they cut 78 MINUTES out of it.  Having only watched the chopped up version (on YouTube), does it make sense?  I should also note that this one of the many cases where the 'Film' Version was released in Europe as such, much like past Films I've covered/had people cover in the past with Project Terrible.  The Story involves Captain Nemo obviously coming back and he's got a mad Scientist to stop.  Naturally!  If this feels a bit familiar, it has alot of similarities to a Film called Latitude Zero.  That also had a Character Actor as a brave Hero/Scientist and another as the Villain/Scientist.  To further the comparisons, the Villain in Zero is Cesar Romero (aka The Joker) and the one here is Burgess Meredith (aka The Penguin).  Coincidence?  Probably yes.  Is this Film as silly as it sounds?  It is trying so much to be like Star Wars that you have to love it?  To find out, read on...

In the present (of 1978), a madman in a cardigan (Meredith) is threatening the World with a doomsday weapon.  He also has these robots and his manservant...who keeps calling people 'Aliens.'

Is this explained?  Nope.

As luck would have it, 2 Navy Men discover the long-lost wreck of the Nautilus.  Jose Ferrer as Nemo awakens from his frozen slumber and immediately takes over everything.

Part 1 of the Story involves him helping the U.S. stop the Nuclear Missile strike.

Meredith's ship design owes alot to George Lucas, no doubt.

Part 2 has Meredith back for revenge in an elaborate plan that, at one point, involves traversing a sea of mines.

Hmm...Lucas would have the Asteroid Field in the next Star Wars.  Did he borrow from this in return?

The plan also involves an undercover Scientist/Spy on board- Mel Ferrer (no relation)- and a young Scientist (Linda Day George).

The former is killed after a terrible sword fight- two old men who can't sword fight aren't interesting?-, while the latter is relegated to being the background for the rest of this.

Part 3- Bloch's part- brings everyone to Atlantis, which Nemo mentioned off-hand that he wanted to find.  What luck!

Meredith makes his big move by capturing/controlling the crew and the King of Atlantis.  His big plan involves stealing secrets from Nemo's brain, something we'd see versions of in 1980's Flash Gordon AND Batman Forever.

Another Batman connection?!?!?

Nemo, of course, figures out a way to escape- it is too silly to explain here- and they blast their way to freedom.

In a confusing and somewhat disappointing submarine battle- despite how cool the Poster makes it look- our heroes win and...that's it. 

A weird, silly and fun adventure!  This mostly-forgotten Movie is certainly worth a second look in modern day.  Mind you, its copyright owner doesn't think so, as it is only available as an On-Demand DVD-R.  In other words, they didn't manufacture thousands of Discs- they will only make one if you specifically order it.  Real commitment, guys!  The Film is cheesy.  The Film is ridiculous.  The Film is played 100% straight.  Jose Ferrer is a bit over-the-top, but never campy.  Burgess Meredith, meanwhile, is a bit ridiculous throughout.  Why is a super-smart mad scientist with a ship full of robots and advanced weaponry...but still wears a cardigan like a College Professor on the last day before Spring Break?  We never find out how he made or funded his many inventions and weapons.  I guess he stole some of it from Atlantis...maybe.  Mind you, I am watching the Film version that has 78 MINUTES MISSING, so maybe it is more clear in the Mini-Series.  The Star Wars influence is amazingly-transparent and I love it!  Besides clearly stealing the aesthetic, they literally use some of the Music!  If I was to break the Film down by Chapter, I'd say that the 1st one is the best, the 3rd one is next.  The 2nd part isn't bad per se, but it has slow parts and just isn't as dramatic.  Ironically, Star Wars managed to make their 2nd Chapter (or 5th, Nerds) the best.  Fight me!  If you like cheesy, well-meaning fluff, check this out.  Yes, you have to either order the DVD or watch it in 7 Parts on YouTube.  Yes, the 7th part is only 2 minutes long- why not?!?  As Bob can attest, this is quite fun.  In closing, I'm happily surprised to see that someone actually kept this after 40+ years...

Next time, the original Review I had planned.  Jump Scares and an American Remake- all win?  Stay tuned...