davidjanuzbrown
Is this a great movie? Not at all. The things I remember as a kid are 1: Joyce Taylor( Princess Antilla). 2: Ed Platt ( the Chief from 'Get Smart") giving a great speech. 3: The death ray. 4: The fact that the slaves escaped and went back home and it is inferred that they made their civilization's greater.Spoilers ahead: The key is that Atlantis would have destroyed the entire human race ( because they were far more advanced and evil then anyone else( turning people into animals (long before H.G. Wells ' The Island Of Dr. Moreau')) which is why it had to be destroyed, and every single Atlantian as well ( except Princess Antilla of course). She goes to Greece with the Greek fisherman Demetrius ( Sal Ponti) who saved her and brought her back to Atlantis. Is she good? Not at all. She turns him into a slave. But at the end she is salvageable, and the only good Atlantian ( Azor the High Priest ( Platt)), has Demetrius marry and bring her back to Greece with him. 5/10 stars mostly for looking at Joyce Taylor.
doctardis
This movie does not have any known stars. I think the most well known is the guy who played the Chief on Get Smart. But conceptually this is a great movie. It captures the imagination. It plays into the stories of the advanced people of the famous lost continent. A place with advanced science in the ancient world. But such strength becomes their downfall. This move was made during the cold war when many thought the A-bomb could lead to our downfall. It also shows how even with such advanced knowledge, the people of Atlantis act just like people. Such themes are common in science fiction and fantasy of the era, but they are brought together nicely in this movie. Also this movie has the great special effects of its director, George Pal. And those are worth the price of admission any day.
thinker1691
Every since I was a boy, the works of George Pal has always been an inspiration. I can recall as a child, waiting patiently for his TV programs involving his enormously popular Puppet-toons. His films always touch the core of movie fans' imagination with such classics as, 'The Naked Jungle', 'The War of the Worlds' and my all time favorite, 'The Time Machine'. In this film, Pal reaches deep into the human Psyche and selects a fabulous story which originates in the ancient scrolls of Plato. Here a Greek Fisherman, Demetrios (Anthony Hall) nets a strange woman who claims to be from the mythical island of Atlantis. Unable to prevent her, she returns home where the Fisherman becomes a prisoner of the mightiest kingdom of all time. Promising himself, he will yet escape his chains, Demetrios meet Xandros (Jay Novello) an aging slave who made that claim years before. During his stay, he is not only permitted to witness the great wonders of Atlantis, such as a submarine and a powerful solar Laser, but is informed of it's impending doom by a sincere and penitent scientist/priest named Azor (Edward Platt). His stay is precarious and subject to change at the whim of Sonoy the Astrologer (Frank De Kova) and Zaren (John Dall) the chief adviser. The movie is entertaining and enjoyable, if slightly hampered by the personal ideology of the director who injects it into his work. Nevertheless, the films of George Pal, continue to fascinate audiences of all ages. Due to his expertise, this film serves to strengthen our continuous belief in the Legend of Atlantis. ****
Hans C. Frederick
It's nice to see that a number of other commentators have observed that the folks at MGM were using the materials from a number of other(earlier) films to develop this one.After all,we use the left over pot roast,potatoes,onions,and gravy to make roast beef hash.Now,I first saw this film in the Summer of 1961.(How the time does fly when you're having fun.)And,being 9 years old at that time,I thought it was great.(Remember,I was a kid.)Not only did they use the shots from "Quo Vadis",but also concepts from "The Time Machine,""The Island of Dr. Moreau",and "The island of Lost Souls."And,so many of the costumes,props,and that Minotaur idol from "The Prodigal."No new ideas,just new combinations.Somebody earlier commented that Paul Frees supplied the voice for Edgar Stehli as the sick,tired,old king.I wonder why.Edgar;s voice was just superb for a lonely,senile man.Did he require a resonant basso profundo?
AD
