By far the most popular version of the Jules Verne novel, this well-remembered Disney classic is a giant of the genre: a science fiction adventure yarn that helped set the trend for similar kiddie flicks that followed (THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH). However, I have to say that I was slightly disappointed when watching it. It was less entertaining a film than I had expected, which perhaps is down to an overlong running time and a slightly sanitised, Disney-esque feel to the proceedings, which never dwell on the less than savoury aspects of the adventure. Instead the film focuses on admittedly cute performing creatures – Esmerelda is a hoot – and the death and destruction inherent in the story (for example the loss of the main ship's crew) is glossed over as too dark.

Still, at its best, this is influential, exciting stuff. The well-remembered giant squid attack towards the climax utilises an excellent full-size model and would be rehashed by countless films made afterwards. The undersea ship Nautilus is a wonderful creation, and James Mason delivers a memorable turn as the manic, obsessed Captain Nemo, at war with humanity. Kirk Douglas excels as the macho hero, especially in his (too few) two-fisted action sequences, and you can't get much better than Peter Lorre as a kooky supporting performer, bringing much warmth and humour to the production.

So I enjoyed this movie superficially, but I left wanting more. Few sequences equal the squid attack or the explosive climax, and too much time is spent on repetition – attack, capture, escape, repeated again and again. The bit where Douglas is on the run from a tribe of island cannibals hasn't dated too well, even if it continues to inspire films to this day, like INDIANA JONES or that PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequel. It's a fun outing, but nowhere near the level of my two favourites the genre has to offer: James Mason starred again in JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH, while my all-time great is the low budget '70s outing, THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT!