Captain Nemo and the Underwater City ** (1969, Robert Ryan, Chuck Connors, Nanette Newman) – Classic Movie Review 3726

Director James Hill’s 1969 adventure movie Captain Nemo and the Underwater City is passable entertainment for youngsters, but it is a routine movie if compared with Captain Nemo’s earlier tale 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), to which this story is a second sequel.

Robert Ryan stars as Captain Nemo, who arrives in his mystery submarine and picks up a group of sinking ship survivors, led by Senator Robert Fraser (Chuck Connors). Nemo takes them to his Utopian underwater city, where they enjoy more Jules Verne adventures.

You might expect a better production from MGM studios, and Chuck Connors makes a boring hero. But Robert Ryan is good value as Captain Nemo (admittedly the best part) and there are some star sharks and penguins, while Hill directs capably.

Also in the cast are Nanette Newman, Luciana Paluzzi, John Turner, Bill Fraser, Kenneth Connor, Allan Cuthbertson, Christopher Hartston, Ian Ramsey and John Moore.

See also its prequel Mysterious Island (1961), Verne’s sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The Amazing Captain Nemo [The Return of Captain Nemo] (1978).

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 3726

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