Mysterious Island (DVD, 2002)

Before buying this movie, you should probably keep in mind that most of the people who will enjoy this movie, will enjoy it for the Harryhausen creatures in the film.
The story itself is good, but the HUMAN characters themselves are unremarkable. I never found myself particularily interested in any of them. They wander around, talking occaisionally, and try to find a way off of the island they are all trapped on. None seem to me to be hugely likeable.
I stress that it is only the HUMAN characters that are like this, though; like I said, the monsters in this film, created by animating legend Ray Harryhausen are breathtaking. The ones in this film are mainly compromised of giant versions of real (or close to real) animals. The giant crab, in particular, is my favourite. They are all fantastically life-like, especially the before-mentioned crab, and a giant bee, which appears later.

The plot is pretty standard. A bunch of people, trapped on an island, trying to find a way home. But it's the non-human players you'll remember afterwards, and if you're into larger-then-life animals, are a stop-motion fan, or just a Harryhausen fan, like me, then this is definately worth seeing.

If you love the vintage Sci-Fi movies then you'll love this one.Great photography and special effects. Takes place during the civil war, a group escapes in a balloon during a storm and winds up on an island along with some ship wreck survivors, a helping hand comes from Capt. Nemo and all the creatures on the island are gigantic, leading to many adventures.Worth watching.

I love everything about it. I decided to buy this movie because I had seen this movie during the 80s when I was a little kid and I thought it was so great and so scary!

This is a classic. I remember the first time I saw it almost 40 years ago.If you like old movie classics ,this is a must for your library.

I bought this for my husband. He has always liked the movie, and now he can watch it whenever he wants.. he would rate it excellent, but after watching it 6 or 7 times in a row, I have to give it a good rating... I can't watch movies that many times over and over...
The movie is a classic. One that you remember for years. They just don't make them like that anymore..I DID enjoy watching it, and would recommend anyone to see it.
S M Indiana

It brings back memories of Saturday going to the movies after the yard is cut. I love the old classics. I would buy from this person again. I got what was promised in a timely fashion. Excellent value. Rev. D. Withers
Florence, Ky.

This is one of my favorites movies scene I was a little kid. The kind of work Harryhausen did is great.

Find this one if you haven't seen it, before it's too late. And if you like it like I always have, read the book too. Written in older language style by
Jules Verne, it's a classic, and he's a novelist that seems to be lost on this generation. But like so many older writers and movies, it defies generational limitations by being just good, old fashioned clean entertainment. I want to make sure my grandchildren see it too, so I happily found it being released on DVD.

This is the second Ray Harryhausen movie I've bought this month, so I must like his stuff. However, this one comes as a premium edition with restored color and whatever else. It also includes extra material such as The Harryhausen Chronicles and an interview with him about this very film. So, for the price it is more than worth the money.
As to the film it self, I would rate this one a near best: not quite up there with Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans, but definitely a cut above The Valley of Gwangi. It's based upon Jules Verne's novel of the same name, but not by much. As Harryhausen said, Verne's book was a wonderful, but dated, story. So, they took the novel's basic premise and some of the characters and turned it into a Ray Harryhausen creature feature.
The movie opens with a group of Union Army prisoners planning to escape by hijacking an observation balloon. They do it but they have to take a Union war correspondent and a rebel sergeant with them. Then, they are blown west across the country ultimately to land on an obscure, mysterious island somewhere in the Pacific. That's when the real story begins.
After finding Captain Harding, they begin by finding something to eat, which happens to be giant oysters. Then they explore the island by climbing the local volcano, where they find large herds of goats. Next a lone small boat crashes onto the shore and the men are joined by two women. Further exploration brings them to a rock house where they find the mortal remains and diary of a previous occupant. The men and ladies make it their home and they set about to build a boat to get off the island.
Until Clash of the Titans, Harryhausen movies usually did not have top name actors. Still, this caste is a good one. Michael Craig does a credible job as the tough, but caring Union Army engineer who guides the group through thick and thin. Still he is almost overshadowed by Gary Merrill's Gideon Spilette, the cynical war correspondent who is "drafted" into his command. However the performance to watch is Joan Greenwood as Lady Mary. Someone wrote that she never gave a bad performance, and that is true here. Indeed, she is more than a match for Merrill's Gideon Spilette. Percy Herbert provides a colorful Sgt. Pencroft, while Michael Callan and the lovely Beth Rogan are the young lovers. In addition Ms. Rogan looks really good in that goat skin outfit. However, besides the usual chores,our intrepid band has to battle a giant crab, a really large bird, and a ship full of cutthroat pirates. Then there are those little mysteries, such as who saved Captain Harding and built a fire beside him, and who shot the giant bird before it could eat Mr. Spilette, and just where did that sea chest come from which had everything they needed. They find out when a man with a giant sea shell on his back emerges from the water just after the pirate ship sinks from a mysterious explosion. It's Captain Nemo, played by Herbert Lom. IMHO he's the last good one. Earlier the young lovers find the remains of the Nautilus, but I won't tell you more because from here on the Krakatoa plot takes over.
Finally, the creatures: the best is the crab, the worst is the tentacled ammonite. But my favorite are the bees, who don't kill anyone. They just buzz away and make honey. So, put this one on, get your favorite beer, turn out the lights, and enjoy the movie. Peace.

This one of my favorite movies by Ray Harryhausen. I wanted to see this movie on DVD. The sound and video quality are much improved. Th extra features help to document Ray HarryHhausen's career and how he was able to put together this movie. The characters of this movie are well balanced and colorful. The creaures are well fitted into the story. Back when this was made there wasn't the technology we have today such as computers to design creatures and intricate scenery. Ray and his other special effects masters uitlized rubber models that enabled them with stop and go movie taking to bring life to these creatures creating an entertaining and excellent movie. If you like this one you will love Jason And the Argonauts.

This is a sci-fi classic,that as a kid,I set on the edge of my seat,glued to the t.v..Highly recommend this classic.

This is one of those films that will last forever. The Ray Harryhausen special effects and pretty good acting. Just a good film for the entire family

Great movie is every way. Ray Harryhausen is at the top of his form for special effects for montorous bees, crabs & birds. Herbert Lom is superb as Captain Nemo.

I remember seeing this as a child and it was a great sci fi type movie - one without todays usual blood guts and gore but just a good movie that i will enjoy for a long time to come

I never recieved the product, and was unable to write feedback about it. Not sure why I was not able toleave feedback for this bum.

One of my all-time favorites growing up - Great special effects for it's time... I recently added this Mysterious Island, The Time Machine (1961) & Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) to my DVD collection & highly recommend all three to any SCI-FI/SCI-FI nostalgia fan - These early Jules Verne movies/stories still hold up after all these years..I bought all 3 brand new & dirt cheap on eBay!!! I don't think you'd be disappointed if you purchased any of those - plus, they're all kid-friendly! ("PG" movies)...

Wow, this brings back memories. I first saw this film as a youngster and fell in love with Sci Fi, Fantasy and special effects. This was dynomation (claymation) at its finest. The special features shed a lot of light on special effects of the early 60's. I must admit, the younger generation with their over exposure to CGI and modern effects may find this film outdated. But rest assured it is a masterpiece of its time. I enjoyed watching it again after all these years and highly reccomend it.

I'm just a big fan of adventure movies that's why i decided to buy it.And it's great for the whole family.

I bought this DVD, since I have seen the movie a long time ago & love sci-fi movies & wanted to see this one again. Great soundtrack music & love the story & I tend to like the old movies.

The detail, action, it is a move the hold family can watch. my husband likes this one a lot. we had it at one time. and we love it. so we wanted to get it again.