Mysterious Island
Seen it?1961 | 101 min | Adventure, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans and adventure fans. If you loved The Great Escape or War of the Worlds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
During the US Civil War, Union POWs escape in a balloon and end up stranded on a South Pacific island, inhabited by giant plants and animals. They must use their ingenuity to survive the dangers, and to devise a way to return home. Sequel to '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' .
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$5 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 64K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Great Escape
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison adventure.
War of the Worlds
Saturday SpecialAnother survival adventure, and a Saturday Special.
Kong: Skull Island Saturday SpecialAnother military adventure, and a Saturday Special.
Planet of the Apes Saturday SpecialAnother sci-fi film, and a Saturday Special.
Underwater
Weeknight WatchAnother survival sci-fi film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Cy Endfield
- Michael CraigCapt. Cyrus Harding
- Joan GreenwoodLady Mary Fairchild
- Michael CallanHerbert Brown
- Gary MerrillGideon Spilitt
- Herbert LomCaptain Nemo
- Beth RoganElena Fairchild
- Percy HerbertSgt. Pencroft
- Dan JacksonCpl. Neb Nugent
- Harry MontyPirate (uncredited)