A SHORT ANTHOLOGY OF THE SCIENCE-FICTION MOVIE SUBMARINE
The filmography of the science-fiction submarine is relatively short, and you have to dive deep to develop it. For another thing, I lost track of quite a few movies – dealing mainly with the Atlantis theme – where purely fictional submersibles star; finally, some SF movies take place underwater without dealing with stricto sensu extraordinary submarines: this is the case of The Abyss, despite a huge alien craft that might be a spacecraft, and a cutting edge underwater oil-drilling platform; also of Deepstar Six, also dealing with an underwater station. We can also mention Sphere, by M. Crichton, about a US spacecraft that sunk after a time-trip; The Neptune Factor (1973) narrates the search for and rescue of an undersea lab; finally Andrew Marton’s Around the World Under the Sea (1965) in which scientists have to (premonitorily) set up an anti-tsunami warning network, shows an impressive collection of mini-subs. Dozens of films of that type could easily be mentioned, but we will only discuss science-fiction submarines here, i.e. those that benefit from out-of-the-ordinary performances and attributes, rather than SF movies “with submarines.”
Before visiting this section of the Museum, go surf on Michael Crisafulli’s “Jules Verne’s Nautilus” to learn everything about the mythical sub.
For your pleasure, you can download a dynamic screensaver on Disney' Nautilus on this site "artimation.com".
First things first! Let’s start with the Nautilus.
This model is from Cadix (Spain), made from PVC in two versions, one radio-guided. 34” long. This the Disney version, the Nautilus’ best known.
S *****
Born from Jules Verne’s visionary imagination, the Nautilus is the true hero of “20000 Leagues Under the Seas,” which, if we may remind you, is one of the top 5 most-translated French novels in the world (with “Notre-Dame de Paris,” “The 3 Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte-Cristo.”)
But it took cinema to give that book its specific rank. In 1916, Stuart Praton made the first version of 20000 Leagues Under the Seas for Universal, incorporating the first ever underwater shots; it is a silent, black-and-white movie, available on DVD. Please note the possible existence of a French version made in the early 20th century, maybe by Meliès, but I have neither seen nor read anything on the subject. You can surf on this site : mobilis.in.mobile.free.fr
The Nautilus shown here – the emblem of the Museum – is a free interpretation by this author of the Nautilus from the Hetzel illustrations; 22”, resin and metal, made by the Atelier Brimeur.
F not rated, unique piece
Finally, the novel fueled the production of many toys, some examples of which follow:
Indubitably, the unmissable masterpiece is the version produced by Disney, and directed by Richard “Magic” Fleischer in 1954. Fleischer also directed “The Vikings,” “The Boston Strangler,” “Conan the Destroyer,” “Amytiville 3-D,” “Doctor Doolittle,” “Fantastic Voyage,” “Soylent Green,” “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” to name but a few. The movie crew included Elmo William (who was to work again with Richard Fleischer on “Tora! Tora! Tora” 16 years later), Oscar for best special effects in 1955, with THE mythical submarine created by Harper Goff. A single shadow: Kirk Douglas’ slightly invasive part; and a wise choice, that of James Mason for the part of Nemo. Available on DVD (Buena Vista / Disney Video, double DVD Disney/Usa collector).
And another regret: that Disney France did not see fit to issue a collector’s edition for the Centenary of Jule Verne’s death. There was a reissue, but in a nearly clandestine manner, although matter was not lacking: a superb black-and-white “making of” unveiling all the effects of the film, and broadcast in its time by the late RTF, as well as an interview of Richard Fleischer (see the double US DVD). That said, there are good bonuses on the French edition.
Finally, the website: Nautilus Models compiles all commercial version dedicated to Nautilus Disney.
Those two small subs (with and without squid) are made by Sega; resin, 9”.
J *
Gérard Homann made by himself this splendid specimen of the Nautilus. Here is the interior of it, made without the use of Disney plans; 31” long. This model is unfinished, inspired from an old VHS copy of a TV screening of the movie. Congratulations to the artist!
F not rated, unique piece.
This model is made and distributed by Comet Miniatures, based on Airfix’ mythical Disney Nautilus, the mold of which Comet apparently got hold of. Too bad there is not artbox... See Modelstories, which has a “Nautilus” section where the artwork of this version can be seen.
11” long, resin.
UK, *
Some time before, in the mid-80s, Comet Miniatures made and distributed this other version of the same Nautilus: "
12" long and in plastic, this model, the base of which is tentacle-shaped, is a version I'd describe as... naughty. More specifically, this may not follow the Disney canon: just have a look at the lower part of the rudder, the over-pugged roster, the boat's boss, the protuberance of the exit airlock, the protruding portholes: rather a " parallel (!!) " version, which indeed is what makes it interesting.
UK*****
This is the museum’s most beautiful Disney Nautilus specimen. This item, restored by Patrick Gauthier (the ram had been broken, a porthole ripped out, the rudder missing – was dug out of a provincial cellar by – you guessed who!
In resin, 31.5” long, this item is finely engraved; the side portholes include covers (closed), and those on the tower – opaque, unfortunately – hide the pilot’s station with the wheel and panels. Given the item’s quality, this can only be an official issue; from the size, I’d guess a Scott Brodeen product; I could find nothing else this size on the dedicated websites... The squid comes from a San Diego, C.A., shop.
USA,*****
Of course, there exist bizarre copies of this Nautilus, so well known that the public usually believes it is the actual submarine conceived by Jules Verne. Some abuse the situation... as with this approximate version (note the rudder, the roster spikes, the boat, etc.), a « close » copy of the Disney original:
The item is in resin, is 20" long, made in Spain, and sold by a very nice shop, also the origin for the Ichtineo shown a bit later: Antic Art & Déco.
http://boutique.anticartdeco.com/boutique/liste_rayons.cfm
Here is one of the Nautilus’ little brothers: the Narwal. It was imagined by John McEwan, extrapolating from Jules Verne’s novel; he imagines Aronnax as a French secret service agent getting hold of the Nautilus plans... So this is the « French » version of Nemo’s sub:
This fine model is in cardboard, 24" long, sold through Reviresco.
USA***
Disdaining all models of the Nautilus shown on the mobilis in mobile.free.fr website
http://mobilis-in-mobile.free.fr/intro/index.php
a crowd of amateurs and fans made their own models of the Nautilus. Here are some samples gathered on the Internet. I don’t know their makers, but refer you to Michael Crisafulli’s site for identification.
http://www.vernianera.com/Nautilus/
« To conclude this chapter, here is a rare item, the photograph of which Fabrice M... sent me: »
« This is a rare office clock, probably dating from the early 20th century, featuring the Nautilus. Needless to say, the price asked only concerns lottery winners...
F***** »
Finally, whoever says " Nautilus " is thinking " Nemo. " Here are a few miniatures of the character. First, this Disney Nemo issued by Hobby Kit in the USA:
It is 10" tall and holds the famous electrical gun, that works against sharks but not giant squids!
USA***
Also this small miniature to be painted: 3", bronzed vinyl.
J***
Then the whole crew, hand-painted lead, issued by Reviresco USA (http://www.tin-soldier.com/):
Lead, 1" tall
USA**
Let us not forget this pop-up book:
This is a very trendy system, you can find similar books about vampires, dragons, pirates, etc. Please admire this naive Nautilus! This one is signed by Sam Ita, published by Mango Jeunesse. 11x9x1.5"
The DisneySub.com website and its links show all versions ever made or sold of the submarine invented by Harper Goff.
For completeness’ sake, let’s mention a curious – and disappointing – adaptation of the novel for TV, made in the 90s by Rod Hardy, with Michael Caine as Nemo, music by Mark “X-Files” Snow and screened by M6 in France; no DVD version as far as I know, but a 2-VHS set (now discontinued) distributed by M6 Video (look for it in bargain shops). In this version the Nautilus looks like a big squashed horseshoe crab! I’m looking for the model that is said to exist...
The Figuremaster website (http:/figuremasterles.tripod.com/id25.html) offers well-finished models, characters and items from the Richard Fleisher film. The Norwegian Bjorn offers two models of the Nautilus cruising, one radio-guided, the other rubber-band powered.
Then came the sequel, “ Mysterious Island,” or The Return of Nemo! No point in digressing here about the many versions created by nearly all TV channels throughout the world. Here are five versions that stand out of the lot:
- The most beautiful one, directed in 1964 by Cy Enfield for Columbia, special effects by Ray Harryhausen with Herbert Lom (Nemo), Michael Craig... (photo) A few departures from the novel in the scenario, but what a success! The DVD of this film cannot be found in France. I asked several distributors for the Centenary: Columbia France reportedly did not know about it. Where are the police? Anyway, it can be found on Amazon.com (zone 1, original version with French subtitles). The Nautilus is clearly based on Disney’s; in view of Fleischer’s 20000 Leagues Under the Seas’ worldwide success, one can logically ask why, at the time, that company did not produce by itself what is really the second volume of the Nautilus’ and Nemo’s adventures. Today they would be Nautilus 1 and 2...
Few known models from this masterpiece, but I was able to find this resin Captain Nemo in the USA:
- It is 11” tall, USA***;
This bird that looks like a monstrous ostrich is a phororhacos, the product of one of Nemo's experiments, about to attack the ladies in distress on Cy Enflied's Mystery Island. This is a chessboard piece - unobtainable - from a set that featured the characters of the movie. PVC, by Xplus, 4":
J**
I have seen other productions, but those « furnishers » are unreachable... For instance, those divers equipped with curious shellfish-shaped suits, or the giant “hermit-crab” squid acting as book-end... But not the Nautilus, which to tell the truth is not seen much in this movie.
Particularly frustrated by the absence of merchandising from this cult movie, I asked Jean-Yves Martin to make me the famous octopus. Here it is:
It is in resin, dimensions 10 x 10 x 4 inches; see details in the « Tentacles » section.
F, no quote (unique specimen)
The version that is the most faithful to the novel is that of Henri Colpi and Juan Antonio Bardem, screened in 1973 by the ORTF, with Omar Shariff as Nemo, a 2-DVD set (Canal+). Very academical, this version follows the novel to the letter. Also, the recent reissue of the Théâtre de la Jeunesse version, produced by Claude Santelli and directed in 1963 by Pierre Badel (DVD-Koba films).
Another, rather weird version on American TV was directed by Russel Mulcahy (Razorback, Highlander) in the 90s with Patrick “Star Trek” Steward and Kyle “Twin Peaks” MacLachlan; DVD by M6 video.
Fabrice Mestrot (again...) got me this unique model at an antiques shop of the Bassin de l’Arsenal in Paris; according to the dealer, this model comes from a small shop in Saint Malo, that bought it from a retired sailor, a Jules Verne fan, who bargained for it with a previous special effects specialist that reportedly used to work for (among others) the late RTF (gasp!) This model is supposed to have served for the making of an obscure – and finally abandoned – version of Mysterious Island in 1967... (1) Thus are legends born! Made of wood, copper and bronze, 39” long.
F unique piece, not rated.
(1) Authenticity not guaranteed!
Several other interpretations of the Nautilus exist; thus this plastic model made by Revell for the Hallmark-produced American TV game-series. 13” long.
USA **
Also available on all specialized commercial websites, this resin version from the BCI brand:
12” long
USA or UK **
Here is a mythical version of the Nautilus. It was made by Bernard Brimeur using the Aurora box (see the Artboxes section) – but, according to several modeling specialists, that one never existed: it was really a (magnificent) box made by fans of the brand and sold thus – that is empty! - through a specialized American website.
The lack of details of the stern area on the picture (propulsion) had me and Bernard guessing a lot, but being the reproduction of a model that maybe never existed, we did our best...
22”, sculpture in resin and metal.
F, unique model, not rated.
To temporarily conclude on the Nautilus, let’s mention the recent and baroque “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” directed by Stephen Norrington, with Sean Connery as lead. The depiction of the submersible has a very “eastern” feel to it, a characteristic it shares with the sets of the 1973 version of “ Mysterious Island.” DVD: 20th Century Fox.
Produced by the Japanese brand Wave, in plastic, 16” long.
J ***
Here is another find by F.M. (you can guess...). This wood and copper Nautilus is a unique piece:
It was supposedly built in the 30s by a craftsman for an artist working on an illustrated version of « 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. » It has been restored in Patrick Gautier’s workshop from the memories of one of the late owner’s friends: the ram, the propeller and the rudder were recreated in that manner. Length: 15 inches, chestnut wood and brass.
This is actually a model of the " Ichtinéo, " one of the first submarines, said to be sold by a Biarritz shop. Beware rumours...
Here you can see its big brother, 26" long :
F not priced (unique)
Of course, this submarine inspired and continues to inspire a growing number of amateurs who make their own version of the Nautilus: Didier Jaffredo (SubAlien), Denis Pouchain who made his in… Lego! (http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=322789) Also Hugues Rouleux and his Nautilus (www.membres.lycos.fr/sitehugues), Still another personal version of the Disney Nautilus, radio-guided, by Xavier Crespin,etc... See also the section « Building your own collection » for other links.
Michael Crisafully’s superb “Jules Verne’s Nautilus” gallery shows all versions of the Nautilus.
The other great submarine is the Seaview, starring in the 1961 Irwin Allen (Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure, Lost World...) movie with Walter Pidgeon, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden, Frankie Avallon (who sings the film’s credits song) and... Peter Lorre (Conseil in the Disney movie), a man familiar with submarines! The Van Allen belt ignites around the Earth and threatens to burn it to cinders; to avoid that bleak future, Admiral Nelson (Walter Pidgeon) decides to launch a nuclear missile against the UNO’s recommendations... The movie was so successful that it started an abundant TV series, in which a flying submarine, a counterpart of the Seaview, appears. Merchandise (models, etc.) is plentiful. One 20th Century Fox DVD. A strange error on the back of the box, where we can see the “Proteus” from “Fantastic Voyage,” no relation to the film in question: somewhere, a product director must have got a rap...
One of the Museum’s most beautiful models is this splendid Seaview from Moebius Models (http://www.moebiusmodels.com/seaview_Model_Kit.php), heirs to the very famous Aurora brand.
It’s a limited edition from 2008 – issued 8 months late – in very finely molded plastic, a truly top of the range model; it is the TV version, with its small flying submarine annexed. Splendid artbox.
Length: 39”
USA, leave it to mature in your cellar or in a showcase, a sure fortune in 10 years!
In 2009, for the Japanese market, Moebius reissued this transparent version of the Seaview, as well as the small flying subs and annexes, limited to 340 issues:
plastic, (Seaview) : 13"
USA, in few years : *****
And of course the reissue of the Polar Lights model (see diorama/artboxes), itself a reissue of the Aurora model :
plastic 13"
USA**
We were still lacking a " true " model of the " Flying Sub " : here it is, issued by Moebius, in plastic :
Big model: 14.5 x 12.5".
USA**
Everything on the movie and TV series, as well as merchandise, can be discovered on the “Mike’s Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” website, including the rubber-band Seaview!
Note the section: “Flying submarines” on the Modelstories website.
The Japanese wouldn’t be left behind, and in a very “manga” spirit, in 1963, Toho had Ishiro Honda direct, in the same spirit as the “Gojira” movies, “Atragon,” where a flying submarine capable of nearly everything battles the Mu Empire (kind of a local version of Atlantis) that wants to enslave mankind. In the sequel and subsequent animés, the sub fights practically anything. A Toho DVD, available on Amazon.com. Some beautiful models of the Atragon exist (but none of the Mu Empire submarines) and are sometimes available on specialized commercial websites.
If you are patient and pugnacious enough, you can always get what you want. Here's proof :
Here at last is the model issued in 2008 by Aoshima, at 1/350 scale. This is a steel and plastic model, electrically-powered; the drill and lighting are functional. Length: 16.5".
J***** in Europe
This other Atragon, together with Manda, the underwater dragon that defends the Mu empire, is in vinyl; both are bathtub toys, typical of the plastic toys the Japanese love.
They are madly sought after by collectors and can cost fortunes, very much in the manga tradition. They are produced by Bullmark inc.
Vinyl, length 12.5" (Atragon) and 14" and phosphorescent (Manda).
J****
This small Atragon is part of a collection of extraordinary machines issued by Bandaï.
Plastic, length 5".
J*
Here is a new and splendid model by Bernard Brimeur, a masterly version of the flying submarine:
20 inches in length, this model is in resin and metal for the fine parts, drill, artillery, etc.
F, unquoted, unique specimen.
The decidedly excellent website “Modelstories” shows all models of the Atragon (in French: Ataragon)
The only item available in France today is this mutant version (Pokemon-like?) made by Bandai:
From its shape, it changed into a spacecraft/submarine. 8” long; compare with the 1963 model... no comment! (J)
There is also a submersible in the Star Wars Saga “Episode I: The Phantom Menace:” the Gungan submarine of the planet Naboo. 20th Century Fox DVD, 1998.
The small sub is a 10” Sega (J); the big one is a 20” Lego (DK **)
In the 1977 “Spy who loved me,” James Bond uses a submersible Lotus Esprit... MGM DVD. Let’s note a splendid undersea station (the evil Stromberg’s), with a very “Jules Verne” feel!
The toys shown here are made by Joyride (USA) for the big model. Sheet metal and plastic, this Lotus is 10” long and sold as a convertible (car or sub). The other two small models are Corgy Toys. There is also a model sold at newsstands as part of Atlas or Altaya collections... in short, toys or models galore. No rarity rating.
To finish with 007’s adventures, let’s mention the existence of mini-subs, very close to the real thing, in “Thunderball” (1965), where one of the bad guys’ subs carries two nuclear bombs stolen from NATO. The model shown here is the “Sea Bottom Buggy” from Imai, in plastic, 7”. This model is also a bathtub toy, rubber-band-powered, just like the two nuclear torpedoes.
With “Atlantis: the Lost Empire,” a full-length animated picture, Disney shows an armored submarine tackled by the Kraken, a kind of giant lobster rather remote from the traditional squid. This film gave birth to MacDo’s toy boxes and prizes... Disney Video DVD.
Apart from the McDo prizes, several boxes of figures were distributed by chains like Toys R Us, or La Grande Récré... This one comes from a set (Mattel? Hasbro?) in which the pieces allow several improbable constructions (a tracked submarine); hence the difference with McDo’s, closer to the movie than this one (that still fits the “universe” of the movie); 12” long in this version.
USA *
Last film to mark the genre, “Fantastic Voyage,” by Richard Fleischer, for 20th Century Fox – the same company as for “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”: the product director must have mixed the pictures on the DVD boxes! The movie won 3 oscars; among the cast are Donald Pleasence, Stephen Boyd and Raquel Welch. A submarine (the Proteus) is reduced to microscopic size and injected into a human body (1966). A collector’s edition has been available since 2007 on Amazon.com. To learn everything about the Proteus, go to the “Proteus Mock-up” website.
This is a limited-series model, thermo-shaped, in resin and cartoline, from “Lunar Model.” 15” long. A kit from the Proteus’ interior exists, the Museum is looking for it. The website shows the complete internal and external details of the Proteus, based on the movie.
USA ****
For television, the film gave birth to a series featuring reduced military units using futuristic machines; the evolution of the Proteus brought to the " Voyager ":
This is a Moebius-signed plastic model, length:
USA** "
Here is an American TV series produced in 1965: " Captain Fathom 2000. " A very beautiful submarine is featured:
These 18 half-hour animated episodes made by Alex Toth have become mythical overseas. This model is in resin, made by Hobby Kit. It is 12" long.
USA**** "
Another science-fiction film with a great submarine: " Latitude Zero, " a Japanese film by Ishiro " Godzilla " Honda with a strong American crew: Joseph Cotten, Cesar Romero, Richard Jaekel, issued in 1969. The scenario clearly takes its inspiration from " 20000 Leagues Under the Sea " with strong borrowings from " Voyage to the Bottom of the Seas! " Here is the Alpha submarine, the Japanese Nautilus, as it were:
Resin, Hobby Kit, 12"
There is another submarine in that film: the " Black Shark " - the bad guy's, of course! No available models at the moment.
USA****
The idea was picked up again in 1986 by Joe Dante (“Gremlins,” “The Howling”) for his movie “Innerspace” with Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan.
To temporarily conclude on SF subs in movies, let’s mention the big pocket submarine in the MGM movie “Around the world under the sea” (1966) directed by Andrew Marton, with Lloyd Bridges, Shirley Eaton and introducing David Mc Callum. No known DVD, an MGM VHS . Modelstories gives an illustration
There remain the TV series and films. Apart from “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” which will inspire MGM to follow up on the movie “Stargate” in TV series, the other cult series is “Thunderbirds,” produced in the 60s by Gerry Anderson, starring a very futuristic submarine, the Stingray. A complete set of DVDs is available at TF1 video; for the TV series “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” look on Amazon.com.
This version of the “Stingray” is a bathtub or floor toy signed by Matchbox; it can still be found at Fabgear/USA or Comet Miniatures
It shoots missiles and its cockpit can be removed to install the separately-sold pilot’s cabin and characters. English brand, Chinese make; Tycotoys inc.
Length: 13”, 1993
UK**
This big (36”) Stingray is a museum piece: this is one of the trial models – or working models – made for test-shooting and special effects trials during the filming of the series. It was roughly restored after being found as a wreck.
It only sails on the surface, through electrical propulsion. Of resin/polyester and aluminium, it will soon be restored by Patrick Gauthier, and... Fabrice Mestrot got it for me at a London sale.
UK*****
Last incarnation of this prolific sub, the very beautiful battery-operated functioning model from R.A. Models:
This is one of those marvelous, good-quality Japanese products. This sub really dives. Length: 10’’. It is properly a model, not really a toy, although it is functional. This Stingray uses dynamic diving; the bars are linked through a T to the radar/periscope. On the surface, positioned horizontally, the sub dives; once underwater, the speed-generated pressure forces the periscope backwards and the model emerges. Very fragile, this Stingray dived only once, for the photos shown here.
J***
The small Stingray (3”) is sold by Sega (J*); the other (4”) with the “Terror fish” is a Corgy Toys product; finally, the big model with metal stand is a “Product Enterprise” item, 10” long. The Fabgear commercial website is devoted to Irwin Allen and Gery Anderson products.
Konami from Japan also sold this vinyl Terror Fish with sweets.
height: 3"
J**
Another Thunderbirds-derived TV series signed by Gerry Anderson, here is U.F.O., whose star sub is the “Skydiver”, an aircraft-carrying submarine that can launch the plane from underwater.
The first model is a 4.5” PVC Konami, sold in a sweets box – a very Japanese concept-, as you can also buy characters from Ray Harryhausen’s movies under that kind of packaging.
J* 2000
The second is a pure “Product Enterprise” item from the same series as the Stingray, in metal and plastic. Length 11”, UK, *, under Carlton media licence.
This Stingray is a pocket submarine linked to the futuristic « Seaquest » submarine from the TV series of the same name.
Produced by Universal, with Roy « Jaws, French Connection, 2010 » Scheider and Mark « Star Wars » Hamill, this series deals with the coming exploitation and protection of oceans by a federation of states, a kind of cross between the WWF, UNO and NATO,
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