Mysterious Island (1961)

Director: Cy Endfield

Starring: Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill

During the Civil War a group of Union soldiers, a Confederate and a civilian escape the stockade using a hot-air balloon and end up on a strange Pacific island.

During the Siege of Richmond Virginia in 1865, three prisoners of war – Captain Harding, Herbert and Neb – and a civilian – Spilitt – make a daring escape in a hot air balloon during a storm. Along for the ride – although not willingly – is the balloon operator, Sergeant Pencroft.

After several days drifting in the wind, they finally crash on an uninhabited island (during a storm). Shortly afterwards, a small boat washes ashore, carrying two ladies, Lady Mary Fairchild and her niece Elena. The third occupant, a man, did not survive.

While making the most of primitive tools to their disposal, they set up a temporary home while building a boat, but there are active volcanoes, giant crabs and giant bees on the island threatening their every day existence…and then there’s Captain Nemo, the brilliant creator of the Nautilus submarine, hidden in a cave.

With time running out before the volcano erupts, the film becomes a race against time for our heroes to find a way to get off the island. I enjoyed the characters, and the call to adventure. The visuals might not be the greatest by today’s standards, but transport yourself back in time more than six decades and its an entirely different matter. Back in the day the film must have been quite an achievement. Even today, still, this is a highly entertaining film with an amazing production, and an action-packed climax.

‘Mysterious Island’ – based on the Jules Verne novel – is well worth a watch. I do love these vintage fantasy adventure movies! This was just fabulous.

Would I watch it again? Yes.